From a clever young lady who served her country in the Royal Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst, later becoming a Police Constable and Explosives Detection Dog Handler for the London Olympic Games, I have always aspired to Serve, Protect and 'give back' to my country and community. However in 2018, I fell from being a fit and strong Personal Trainer, Athlete and World Championships competitor, -to-, severely disabled. As a single parent of two young boys our world was turned upside down when I woke up one day paralysed, seemingly out of nowhere! Now, under the care of a Neurologist, Psychiatrist and GP and With a diagnosis of FND, Functional Neurological Fisorder (for info please visit National Organisation for Rare Disorders), we are having to rebuild our lives completely. Our Council have saved and improved the quality of our lives over this last 18 months, from providing Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Family Support Officers, Speach Therapists, Community Mental Health Teams, Physiotherapists, home adaptations, walking aids, transport and enabling my eldest son as a Young Carer, the list goes on and on of the extent of help we have received all thanks to our local Council here in Bridgend. I would like to raise awareness of FND, supporting FNDHope.Org and publicly thank and appreciate Bridgend County Borough Council. I aim to raise funds to give back to my Council so that they can continue supporting others like me, who desperately need their help.
I have adopted the mind set that being disabled doesn't mean I am unable. I quote "Enable The Disabled We Are Not Unable"... And I have been signed up to compete in the UKs first ever Station Race, sponsored by Reebok, the Spartan Series. It is a 5k race with obstacles along the way, known as OCR (Obstacle Course Racing). This used to be one of my competitive sports, however, for this event I will be completing the race accompanied by a team of people equipped to carry me where necessary, and take me over obstacles that oppose me. I'm hoping my efforts and ethos will inspire others in my situation to follow their own passions despite any life obstacle. Please support by donating, sharing, raising awareness. Thank you.