At 7am on Sunday 26th June 2022 I'll be participating in my first ever Iron man Triathlon: A 2.4mile swim, 112mile bike and 26.2mile run

I've been training a hell of a lot this year and I'm incredibly excited to be approaching race day this week!

As I was born with a congenital condition called talipes, which is more commonly referred to as ‘club foot’, this has been especially challenging due to a significant weakness and experiencing a lot of pain in my right foot most days throughout my life, and even still today. It was only a few years ago that I couldn't run a 5k without having to pull out due to the pain, but with the help of an amazing physio (Shoutout @LGphysio), and a LOT of strength, conditioning and rehab on it I'm 100% ready to take on the full Ironman distance Triathlon. 

However, despite the many challenges I have faced, I realise how fortunate I am to have received early treatment for my condition. Born in the UK, I was fortunate enough to have my club foot treated at birth. This was corrected by major surgery at 5 months old, as well as multiple plaster casts and physiotherapy later on, enabling me to walk at the expected age and enjoy a 'normal' life. 

Unfortunately this isn't the case in many countries across the world and if left untreated it can, and most likely will, lead to a lifetime of deformity and disability. Along with stigma and discrimination, affected individuals experience higher rates of neglect, poverty, physical, and sexual abuse.
Knowing children will be deprived of the basic ability to walk and succumb to this abuse throughout their entire lives for a condition so simple and affordable to treat makes it even more tragic. 

This is where the charity ‘Miracle feet’ steps in. They treat children in what is now an incredibly simple procedure costing less than £400 to complete, which in turn will provide lifelong mobility, independence and opportunity. 

There are 200,000 children born with clubfoot every single year, yet under 15% of this number actually receive treatment for it. Miracle feet alone supported 24,000 people with Club foot in 2021 and they hold the ambition to eradicate clubfoot globally as we have done in Western countries. 

In 95% of cases surgical procedures are no longer necessary, instead doctors are opting for the ‘Ponseti method’ which involves gently manipulating and stretching the baby's foot into a better position. It is then put into a cast and the procedure is repeated every week for about 8 weeks leading to a healthy and mobile life for the child; walking and running as freely as anybody else. 

Any amount of money you can donate really will change that child's life - who knows, perhaps they'll even compete in their own Ironman one day!