Hello everyone and good day! My name is Claris and I have Moyamoya disease.

I have been suffering from Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) or “Mini-strokes” since primary school. I remember being confused as to why I couldn’t use my right side, why I couldn’t talk…and why I would wake up in different places. From grade school to undergrad, I was scanned and tested. Nothing could be found. Fast forward several years later…I am in Glasgow, studying for my Master’s degree…and the symptoms start again. I lost control of either my left or right side, lost my speech and lost consciousness a few times. I eventually saw a neurologist and had another MRI scan. On Sept. 4th 2008, the day of my 26th birthday, I was told I had Moyamoya disease and would need surgeries. The next 4 months of being in hospital were a blur. I was seen by a specialist in Berlin and life from this point on was scans, angiograms, injections and morphine…ohhh…the morphine. Oh yes, and the two brain surgeries that saved my life. I was discharged in Dec. and spent the next several months recovering at home. Recovery was tough. It was indeed. I couldn’t walk without feeling nauseous and it left me incapacitated for the rest of the day. I was also diagnosed with Epilepsy caused by scar tissue and was told I would need medication for the rest of my life. And my hairline…not to mention my hairline. Of all things I lament, it is this. Sadly it will never be the same as surgeries are the equivalent of a permanent bad haircut. But I digress….

In April of 2009 I flew back to Glasgow to finish my Master’s dissertation. I finished and I graduated…one of the greatest moments of my life. A move to Cardiff was made during this period and it was here that I was given the chance to build my life again. I was given the opportunity to do a PhD and have thus spent the last 4 years doing Stroke research, emboldened by my experience to try and give this field even a little nudge forward. Over time, I built up the strength to survive a full working day and was even healthy enough to finish the Bath Half Marathon in 2011, another of my greatest moments. I must add, as honourable as my intentions were, I do not recommend starting a PhD to kick start life recovery *wink*wink…but you know how it goes, for every 10,000 x 10^10 steps back is a 0.5mm step forward. So….

I am returning to Berlin for the first time since the surgeries to run the half marathon. I need as much emotional support as I can get to both help me return to Berlin and turn sad and painful memories into victorious ones, and to also make the final push to finish my PhD. I hope my motivation to do this will inspire others to donate, whether it be money or time, to help Stroke charities. The Stroke Association funds research and provides support to stroke victims. They support people like me, irregular hairline and all. Every 40 seconds someone has a stroke and every 4 minutes, someone dies of a stroke. So please, World, I implore you, help me support this cause.