I’ve always considered myself to be an active and healthy person,
but shortly after having Felicity I suffered with the most excruciating pain in my shoulder. (After having 4 children I know pain but this was unbearable) After taking painkillers, the agony eventually subsided as quickly as it had arrived. Sadly, by the next morning, the same pain had reappeared in my other shoulder, although once again it faded just as quickly.

I didn’t experience this type of pain again for almost a year but
then it suddenly reappeared in my wrists and thumb joints, accompanied by redness and inflammation I actually thought I had broken my wrist, doing normal everyday things were intolerable and after multiple visits to A&E they came up and with no clear diagnosis, I was sent for numerous extensive Blood tests which later revealed I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

(Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks most often the body's joints, although as it is a systemic disease it can affect many organs and body systems including the lungs, heart kidneys and eyes. It is most commonly mistaken for osteoarthritis which mainly occurs in the older generation through wear and tear of the joints)

At first I didn’t quite understand the severity of what I had been told. At 38, with four children, it was unimaginable that I would now have to live with this disease for the rest of my life. Very few people understand RA and the impact it can have on daily life.

After numerous medication trails which came with their own set of complications I was once again able to lead as normal a life as possible. Unfortunately, in 2009 the pain and inflammation in my joints began to return – my RA had come back.

After six months of monitoring and steroid injections to help ease
the pain.  I put on three stone and became far less mobile. Finally, in January 2011, I became eligible for anti-TNF treatment and was started on Embrel (a weekly injection which dampens my immune system, again this comes with its own set of complications but it is what I would describe as my wonder drug)

With my life back on track, I started exercising and my New Year
resolution for 2012 was to run the Preston Guild Half Marathon. The weight soon dropped off as training progressed and the experience of running my first race, a distance of 5km, was amazing. Quickly I progressed to 10k and finally I ran a half marathon. It was pouring with rain but I was pain free and ready for the challenge! 

On the 15th September the following year I ran the Great North Run in aid of NRAS. I completed the run and with the help of my fantastic friends and family raised over £800.00.

I have decided to give myself the biggest challenge of all and Run
the 2016 London Marathon, I have been training for quite a while but have had quite a few setbacks due to my RA flaring up and problems with blood tests but I won’t let it beat me. I am again calling on you all to join me in this challenge and help me raise funds and awareness for such an amazing charity. x