In a couple of weeks I will be walking through the streets of London with a group of people raising money for a fantastic charity, Reverse  Rett. 

I will be walking with my friend Catherine McKinney. Catherine's daughter Eliza has Rett Syndrome. Eliza is a beautiful 6 year old girl who has recently learned to walk a little, but sadly cannot speak and has trouble using her hands. Girls with Rett Syndrome often suffer from breathing problems, anxiety and seizures, but research has shown that they do not have brain damage. They are 'locked in' a body that won't let them speak or play or care for themselves. 

Rett Syndrome was a heartbreaking diagnosis to receive, but Catherine and Ross have always had a sliver of hope to cling on to. This charity, Reverse Rett, has funded ground breaking medical research and have had amazing results. Rett Syndrome may be the first neurological condition to be cured, and it will happen in our lifetime. In 1999 scientists discovered the genetic mutation that caused Rett; in 2007 they reversed the condition in mice, and, in June of this year, human trials in gene therapy to cure Rett Syndrome began.

Parents like Catherine and Ross not only face the many challenges of providing a good quality of life for their daughter: they are also tasked with fundraising to pay for medical research to find a cure. Rett Syndrome is rare, so governments and drug companies have not always judged research for a cure to be cost- effective. 

Walking 25km in London is not the challenge here. The challenge for me is to ask friends and family for money. Catherine and Ross have had to do this relentlessly for the last 3 years and they will continue to do it. Because  a cure for Eliza is possible, and your money will make it happen.

Thank you for reading, and please donate if you can. 

Maeve x

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