**Two crazy but brave cavernoma sufferers take on Scotland’s toughest challenge!**

We  got to know one other almost 4 years ago when both of us was diagnosed with a cavernoma. What is a Cavernoma I hear you ask? Well... it’s a leaky lesion/growth in the brain or spine which is made up of abnormal blood vessels. Cavernomas can cause strokes, seizures, and other neurological deficits. 1 in 600 of us has one without even knowing it. In our case we both had a stroke when ours  bled, and following a CT scan we were told the frightening news that we had a Cavernoma. Both of us had our whole lives turned upside down. From losing our mobility, to having to give up our jobs. Sim went on to have brain surgery to remove hers in Dec 2015 and has been rebuilding her life since. Vix on the other hand has had to continue living with hers and managing the constant nerve pain she gets as a result, as hers is inoperable. 

We have weaknesses on opposite sides, so hopefully that means we will be able to kayak in a straight line!  

We feel that there is not enough awareness from local doctors through to ambulance staff, and to even neurosurgeons. We want to bring awareness and show tha although this is very rare it could happen to anyone. Without early intervention and proper help and rehabilitation, the effects can be permanent and exacerbated. 

We have been through so much that the Rat Race doesn’t seem to phase us. We know it’ll be tough, but we are in this together and prepared to do it for everyone affected by Cavernoma, to show that this condition may change your life, but it doesn’t have to put it on hold!  

Please sponsor us for what will be an incredibly challenging event for both of us. Not only the difficult conditions and terrain, but having to manage our brain condition too! 

Since her beed Vix likes to challenge herself, as it gives her something to aim for. Next year she is hoping to take on a full ironman triathlon in Nottingham if her health continues to stay stable with no further bleeds. 

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