On 20 February 2014 my son Hugo was born 16 weeks' prematurely because I had the rare, life-threatening pregnancy complication HELLP syndrome. I nearly died of multiple organ failure, and Hugo had to be born to save both our lives.
Sadly, Hugo died aged 35 days later.
I am doing the Active Every Day Challenge to celebrate Hugo's life; and to reclaim my love of spring, my favourite season. The longer days, sunshine, the glory of the array of colours of spring flowers. I want to celebrate being alive, and to celebrate being physically able to do things that it's all too easy to take for granted.
When I was admitted to hospital I was unable to walk - at first because I was ordered to remain in bed, and I was attached to so many wires I couldn't have gone far anyway. After Hugo was born moving was difficult not only because of the C-section, but also because my body had swollen as the result of my illness. I was like a Michelin woman! The sudden swelling affected the tendons and ligaments in my wrists and ankles. I was unable to hold a pen, open a yogurt pot, or hold cutlery. I was unable to walk more than a couple of steps, and had to be taken anywhere (including the toilet) in a wheelchair.
As part of the Active Every Day Challenge I shall be doing activities such as running (including a long countryside run/walk at weekends; boxing; weights; HIIT circuits (things like kettlebells, battle ropes, box jumps)...something every single day during the 35 days of Hugo's life, between 20 February and 27 March.
I hope you will help me support Tommy's and First Touch help other families like mine.
I'll be posting regular updates here so you can see how I am getting on. You can also visit my Instagram and Twitter - @leighakendall #HugosLegacy, and read more about my story on my blog http://headspace-perspective.com/2018/02/19/active-every-day-challenge/.
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Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 25%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving.
