I have recently been diagnosed with tuberculosis - the news felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. My dreams of joining the Army have been shattered.  I started on my course of treatment only to be given a double blow that I was one of the 10% of people who were resistant to the medication so I am now on stronger drugs – the side effects are awful but, as you all know, I am a fighter and will get through this.  Some people aren’t so lucky.  Tuberculosis kills nearly 1.5 million people worldwide every year –it kills 200 children a day and orphans 9.7 million a year.  A lot of people don’t even know TB exists or think it was eradicated years ago so they don’t even know they have it; where or how to get treatment, especially those in Africa and India where TB rates are high.  BUT TB IS CURABLE! Before my diagnosis, I was in the top 2% of the army fitness tests and I am determined that TB will not beat me or rule my life.  I am young and fit and have overcome many challenges in my life: I have climbed to base camp of Everest; dived the barrier reef, run a marathon in the desert – my new challenge is to beat TB.

 

I have set myself a goal to row the distance of the English Channel – 34,000 metres or 21 miles – for TB Alert – the only UK and international tuberculosis charity.  For me, this is going to be a really hard task with the state of my lungs at the moment - and I’m still on the course of treatment – but I can do it!   Knowing I am helping to raise money to help others with the same condition will help me beat these challenges so I would be ever so grateful for your support.