Turning 30 last year made me re-evaluate, a time of honest reflection, flaws and all, a time to consider, where I am and what I want to do next. I decided to challenge myself to something I otherwise would have thought impossible….step forward the London Marathon 2019!

My second ‘why’ relates to the work I do and the ETS charities of choice. Working as a case manager and Occupational Therapist for Enable Therapy Services, an independent rehabilitation/vocational case management and Occupational Therapy company, I support many people who have sustained often life changing injuries with complex care needs, including acquired brain injuries. Case management is a hugely varied role supporting people from the early stages of their rehabilitation when just coming out of hospital and adjusting to being at home, through to getting back to work and restarting any interests a person may have, and everything in between!

The wonderful work of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) and Daniel Yorath House is provided under the wider umbrella of the Disabilities Trust. All monies raised will be shared between BIRT and Daniel Yorath House and I am extremely proud to embrace the challenge of the London Marathon 2019 and be running for them.

The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) is the UK's leading charity in brain injury rehabilitation. They offer specialist assessment and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities resulting from brain injury. This includes traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke and other forms of acquired brain injury (ABI).  Founded in 1991, BIRT provides specialist assessment and rehabilitation at 15 centres across England, Scotland and Wales. The
multi-disciplinary teams in their rehabilitation centres support people with a
brain injury to function as independently as possible, develop their lives as they
choose and participate in the wider community.  

Situated close to the city of Leeds, Daniel Yorath House is one of these specialist neurobehavioural rehabilitation centres for people with acquired brain injury. Opened in 1992, it was one of the first assessment and rehabilitation centres for brain injury in the UK. It forms part of the nationwide network of rehabilitation support services provided by the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT). We are also keen to support Daniel Yorath House in particular which is local ETS in Leeds.

Over a million people in the UK are living with the effects of a long-term brain injury making services like BIRT and Daniel Yorath House essential in supporting people to improve their quality of life. 

I’ll be making regular updates as I take on this mammoth challenge with my colleague Jenny and with the support of my other fabulous colleague at ETS. Your support will also be invaluable. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

#GoteamDT
#LondonMarathon #Reasontorun  #findyourwhy