2018 Virgin Money London Marathon

[p]When I was first diagnosed 9 years ago with PoTS, VVS and Reflex Anoxic Seizures I felt a moment of relief and then a tidal wave of confusion. [/p][p]It took 9 months to get a full diagnosis and during this time STARS provided invaluable help and advice. However, this was only the start of living with an autonomic condition (or two!).[/p][p]I was 16 when the symptoms started so alongside trying to manage a little understood condition I was balancing school and all the issues that came with being “different”. My main impetus in running the London marathon in aid of STARS is to raise awareness/money for their Education Campaign [url=http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/stars/uk/stars-education]http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/stars/uk/stars-education[/url][/p][p]The physical impact of any condition while in education is extremely tough, but then add any misconceptions or dismissive attitudes towards what a child is going through and then the emotional impact is huge. There needs to be a greater understanding and awareness of the conditions that STARS help with so that children can feel comfortable in the knowledge that staff know how to react and how to talk to about the condition. I’m hoping that any money I raise can help a child of any age have a clear and helpful guidance on how to talk to schools, and hopefully this will be a helpful tool for any parent who is worried about how their child is coping in a school environment.[/p][p][br][/p][p]I have been lucky in the last couple of years that my illness has improved and that was through hard work and discipline, but the impact of having these conditions when I was young will stay with me. Mishandling of my situation by teachers who were most likely confused or scared meant that I couldn’t focus fully on my health and education, so I hope that in raising money and awareness for STARS that can be avoided for a child in a similar situation.[/p][p][br][/p][p]I will run my little heart out (not literally and definitely with a heart rate monitor checking I’m doing ok!) for everyone who donates! [/p][p][br][/p][p]Thank you!! I'll try not to fall...[/p]