My name is Simon Overton and I have a generalised dysautonomia and suspected hereditary spastic paraplegia. This diagnosis would not have been achieved without MEResearch UK's efforts in funding research to identify sub-groups and missed diagnoses in patients with fatiguing illnesses. When first ill I was told by a consultant neurologist my problems were "all in the mind".
MEResearch UK have played a leading role in funding the work of my own consultant Prof. Julia Newton. Thanks to her intervention I am doing very well on the drug midodrine and have seen a massive improvement in my condition.
Originally I had intended to Skydive down the North Face of the Eiger. However faced with the sudden death of my dad in the weeks before the event I felt I no longer really wanted that adrenalin rush as I leapt from the plane. Instead Fiona and I crossed the glacier from the Jungfraujoch (3454m) to the Monchsjochhutte (circa 3600m). This undertaken fell well short of our previous ascents in the alps, midi-plan traverse, allalinhorn etc. However these were undertaken before I was ill. I suffer increasing problems with spasticity and have great difficulty walking. I take baclofen to relieve spasticity but have seen less benefit with time.
The crossing which would take most people only 55mins took us considerably longer. I am sure also that anyone shown the footage of me before the crossing would consider it foolhardy if not impossible ("Yikes!" to quote Vance Spence). However- we did it. Thanks to midodrine I felt great at altitude when with illness ascent to similar heights had previously resulted in a marked increase in neurological problems, dizziness and nausea.
The photo is the view from the jungfraujoch. We had a great week away, again thanks to the team of consultants now involved in my care. Thanks to their intervention I am able to heed warning signs and pace myself rather than plough on regardless- well most of the time. In fact other than the glacier crossing the biggest difficulty we faced in our time away was poor wheelchair access in the hotel where we stayed.
Without the work of MEResearch UK patients will continue to be told their problems are "all in the mind" and be denied proper investigation and treatment. Your donation can make a radical difference.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ME Research UK (ME Research Group For Education And Support, MERGE) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please sponsor me now!
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ME Research UK (ME Research Group For Education And Support, MERGE) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please sponsor me now!
