On April 22nd I will be running the London Marathon..yes...me..Elaine! 

I hope to raise money for Corpal, a charity close to my family’s heart. Corpal supports children with a rare neurological condition (called Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum - "ACC") in which the Corpus Callosum, the superhighway which connects the two hemispheres of the brain, fails to develop. Effects of the condition are variable and can range from developmental delay to severe physical disabilities.

My great niece Minnie was diagnosed with ACC during antenatal scans and my niece (Lisa) wanting to gain insight into what it would be like raising a potentially severely disabled child reached out to Corpal and some of its members during her pregnancy. By luck Corpal were having their Annual General Meeting the week after the diagnosis and invited my niece to attend. It was here she met a range of families dealing with ACC across the spectrum. Meeting with the charity led her to a better appreciation of how truly impacting a child of special needs can be on a family, and the workload and commitment that is required to support a child with ACC. What really inspired her was seeing the way in which the parents of these children faced their ongoing challenges, with pride, dignity and drive. The love they gave, and the love in whatever form was returned, was a privilege for her to experience. 

Whilst there is no cure for ACC, the condition can benefit from a range of developmental therapies and educational support services. I know that by raising money for Corpal it will help to provide families with the emotional support and understanding that Minnie's mum and dad received.

Minnie is a very special girl who makes our family proud every day. 

I thank you in advance for your generosity towards this very worthy charity,

Elaine xxx