I’m not a runner but I’ve decided to get my trainers on and complete a 10K in honour of this wonderful charity! I have Microtia… here is my story from their website from a few years ago…

Hello,

My name is Liz I was born with Microtia to my left ear with complete hearing loss to that side but I still have hearing to my right side. I have been offered various options in my younger years to either reconstruct my little ear or to actually have a prostheic ear as a replacement, both my parents made the decision to wait until I was old enough to make the choice about surgery myself. I had a very happy childhood my family always embraced the fact I was special and I had a little feature to myself that not many other people have. Eventually i made the choice to leave it alone and not change it because it didnt bother me enough i would just keep it covered, through school I always had a little Bob haircut to stop the awkward questions.

When I was around the age of 11 following having hearing tests every year to see if any hearing would come back slightly, I was offered a BAHA on a headband to try, I was not a fan at all it was all too loud for me and not what I was used to at all! I was perfectly happy living life how I always have just having to say “pardon” a few times a day! I was never picked on, apart from the odd look/snigger and irritating questions from children in school. I had various on going jokes with my high school friends who were so supportive of me but would laugh along when a hearing joke was made and one even compared it to a sweetie shrimp which I found hilarious and rather cute.

I am now currently 23 and a registered general nurse and engaged to someone who also fully supports my little ear, he has said in the past to change it would mean I was changing a part of me. I have never ever let my hearing or my ear get me down I have faced challenges thrown at me and even enjoyed a time on stage singing when I was younger! Moral of the story is never ever let your disability or sometimes inability alter how you see life and how you live it!! Just because you have a different ear to other people doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the full. Embrace it, it’s actually quite cool.

This year, Microtia UK celebrates its 10-year anniversary of being a charity, and we want to thank you for helping us along the way.

Since 2014, your donations have enabled us to support the wellbeing of thousands of people born with microtia and their families, as well as helping to fund research, fun days out, publications and more!

Your continued support means the world to Microtia UK and our charity members, and we can’t wait to share the positive work you help fund throughout the coming years.