On April 23rd I’ll be undertaking the biggest challenge of my life; The London Marathon.
This will be the furthest I've ever run and the training runs have been tough (so muh so that I had considered pulling out).
However, I know the 26miles will be nothing compard to the multiple operations and investigations Sammy (my friend’s son) has undergone, and all before his 5th birthday.
Sammy was born with OA/TOF (Oesophageal Atresi / Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula) and other associated issues. This is where his stomach joined his windpipe and his food pipe was a blind end pouch, so nothing would pass into his stomach and would cause him to choke on his saliva. Although he’s surgically fixed, he’s not cured, lives with a number of issues and has had many operations and investigations under anaesthetic (19 and counting) to help food reach his stomach, along with spinal cord surgery.
TOFS charity provides so much support to Sammy and his family by helping them and other families through the challenges of bringing up a child with OA/TOF, VACTERL and associated conditions.
TOFS vision is for anyone born with OA/TOF to be able to live life unlimited and are working towards a world in which those born with OA/TOF live long and healthy lives, unconstrained by the impact of being born with these conditions.
Knowing I am raising funds for such an important cause will (hopefully) get me to the finish line!