Story
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We're just 2 Old Girls Cycling!
I have always used sport to support my mental health from a young age. At 30 I started having severe back problems which prevented me doing any form of exercise. I was diagnosed with 3 degenerative lower discs. A natural process in someone twice my age with no cure. This had a detrimental effect on my mental. I was determined that this was not going to beat me. At 40 I was running Half Marathons and completed a FA Football Coaching Badge to help promote Women’s Football.
However, I started having problems with my middle part of my back again which prevented me doing any form of exercise. My mental health was affected again. Last November I was diagnosed with severe Osteoporosis, a curve in my spine and a squashed disc. I found Tracy Dixon Mind Body and Fitness online and joined a Spin and Pilates class. Under her guidance and support I have become mentally and physically stronger.
This spurred me and my friend Ann Gill to challenge ourselves to Cycle the SW300 in 5 days (starting Friday 13th September) inspired by a challenge Mollie King of Radio 1 did last year.
We are supporting two local charities; Thumbs up for Charlie and Carers Support South Lakes. Both providing vital support and respite for parents and family.
I help support a family of 7 who until recently were sole, unpaid carers. The unsung heroes!!
Josh was born at 25 weeks weighing just 2lb and suffered a bleed on the brain and other complications. The family were asked if they wanted to turn off the ventilator as his prognosis was so bad. They chose not to and let Josh prove everyone wrong which he did.
Josh has severe learning difficulties, epilepsy, hearing loss, cerebral, palsy, speech and language difficulties and hydrocephalus. Just these words paint a bleak picture but nothing about Josh is bleak.
The education system let him down badly which left him with no confidence, undervalued and unappreciated.
The family then became his full-time carers as well as running their farm. After a long battle Josh was given 76 hrs of care support which I and other carers support him. The change in Josh is beyond belief. He has grown in confidence and loves his adventures with us. Josh is now a bit of a celebrity at Jo & Cass Lancaster thanks to Rachel and all the staff there.
Its an honour to support two amazing charities that make a huge difference!
“Thumbs up for Charlie”, a foundation set up by Charlie’s parents to help provide respite breaks for families whose child has been diagnosed with a brain tumour or families bereaved because of a childhood brain tumour. They also donate funds to contribute towards future research, specifically around peadiatric Ependymoma brain tumours.
https://www.thumbsupforcharlie.co.uk/
"Carer Support South Lakes", an independent registered charity with over 30 years experience of providing assistance to unpaid Carers of all ages in South Lakeland. The youngest we support is 5 years old and the oldest is currently 98.