Dear friend,

I am running the Virgin London Marathon on behalf of  the National Deaf Childrens Society (NDCS). I am also running for my daughter Evie.

I have two lovely girls, Evie and Elenya. Evie is my eldest- aged 7 - and she is hearing impaired.

At 18 months old Evie became very unwell suddenly with meningoencephalitis, and at 3 and a half years old she developed post viral cerebellitis - one of these illnesses caused damage to her inner ears.

Two years ago Evie was diagnosed as being severely hearing impaired. This diagnosis was very unexpected - but I was positive and practical about the situation, after all, considering everything Evie had been through, things could have been a lot worse - we were very, very lucky!

Despite my practical and positive approach, during that first year of Evie being diagnosed as hearing impaired, I felt completely lost, very emotional and extremely frustrated. I just didn't know who to ask for help who would help us understand her hearing loss, how it impacted on her daily life, and how to overcome potential communication issues - we were not allowed support from a government funded teacher of the deaf, who would advise myself on daily issues, and  Evies school, on deaf friendly teaching methods and useful equipment, due to local government policy and their budget restraints.

I needed an expert, in hearing loss, to jump in and offer advice and I didnt know any!

Thankfully an audiologist told me about the NDCS and I called them. They were wonderful - a real lifeline. They listened to my calls, gave valuable advice and sent me publications, enabling me to help Evie at home, practically, emotionally and socially. Information for Evies teachers - school info packs and dvds on deaf friendly teaching and equipment were also sent.

Evie wears 2 hearing aids, lipreads and uses a radio aid at school. Evie loves her school and is doing well thanks to the NDCS, her dedicated teachers, class mates and friends.

Thankfully we now have an independent Teacher of the deaf who supports and advises us all - she is fantastic.

The NDCS is the leading charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children. They provide support for families, raise awareness, campaign for change, fight for the rights of deaf children and much much more.

There are more than 45,000 hearing impaired children in the uk and 4 more are born each day - 90% are born to hearing parents who have little or no experience of hearing loss. There are an awful lot of families who need a lot of help.

The future for hearing impaired children is currently compromised by the reduction of funding for deaf services, by the government at this difficult economic time. The NDCS will undoubtedly be called upon even more to meet the needs of families and children, that the government is less able to provide.

Please support me and the NDCS. You will make a real difference. Every pound that you give will be greatly appreciated and put to very good use.

Thank you for visiting my just giving site.

Lisa xx