In 2014 I developed a rare condition called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). CIDP affects between 1 and 7 people per 100,000 in the UK. It is an auto-immune condition in which the myelin sheath, which protects the peripheral nerves, is damaged by the body's own immune system which, in turn inhibits the transmission of the nerve signal to the muscles. The cause is not known but the result, as in my case, can be very severe weakness in the arms and legs. and even paralysis.

CIDP tends to develop slowly, and there is no single definitive clinical test, so it can be very difficult to diagnose. It is slightly more common in people with diabetes. (I have type 1 diabetes.)

In my case, I had been vaguely aware that something was not right for several months but put it down to getting older. (I turned 55 in 2014.) Things started to accelerate in July 2014 - I realised that I was using the banister rail to help me climb the stairs in the house; I almost got run over when crossing the road because I could not move quickly enough; I went to watch the badminton at the 2014 Commonwealth Games with my son and I couldn't climb the steps to our seats. I went to see my GP and was admitted to hospital the same day. Over the coming days, whilst the medical team tried to work out what was going on, I got progressively weaker and weaker - to the extent that I could barely shuffle along.

There is no cure for CIDP and patients respond to treatments differently. In my case, the treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin infusions every 8 weeks, which I receive over two days at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Fortunately for me, it is very effective and allows me to function normally. I am not as fit or strong as I was but, otherwise, so long as I get my regular “top ups”, I am in good shape. Many CIDP patients are not so lucky!

GAIN Charity: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) & Associated Neuropathies, the charity we (my daughter, Vicki, my son, Alasdair, my son’s partner, Shivani and I) are fund raising for, supports people with CIDP and related neuropathies, funds research and campaigns to raise awareness of these rare conditions. It is a very small charity but does great work and punches above its weight, and it desperately needs money to fund this good work. If you could support us in our challenge by making a small donation, we would be extremely grateful and so would the great people at GAIN.

A few years ago, a 10k run would not have been a big challenge for me. These days, because of the combined impacts of CIDP and diabetes, it is! It is not such a big deal for Vicki, Alasdair and Shivani. They are running to support me and I really appreciate their support.