In my role as a coach and personal trainer, I often have to encourage people to do something that they don’t particularly enjoy for them to reach their goals.
And to show that I practice what I preach, I'm about to embark on a journey that will see me doing something I hate (but learning to love), to achieve an important goal of mine – lots of running (in amongst other things).
So why am I putting myself through such torture? Well, something not a lot of people know about me is that I have a condition called Essential Tremor and I would like to raise awareness and money for the National Tremor Foundation.
To do this I will be taking on the Lakesman Half, along with my housemate Lydia Eileen, – a half Ironman triathlon which is held in the Lake District in June. The event is made up of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and finally a half marathon (13 miles in total). I’ve barely been on a bike in recent years and did I mention that I hate running? But the good news is that I love to swim and so I’ll enjoy that bit! But getting back to the reason why raising funds for the National Tremor Foundation, and why awareness of the condition is so important to me, I’d like you to step into my shoes for a moment.
Imagine being 35 and having to ask your mum to paint your nails.
Imagine not being able to put earrings in on your own.
Imagine not being able to put mascara on without poking yourself in the eye or drawing over your eyelid.
Imagine drinking a cup using both hands in front of new people hoping they won’t notice that you look like a child.
Imagine not being able to raise a glass and say ‘cheers’ while just feeling rude and hoping nobody has noticed.
Imagine not being able to hold a camera steady enough to take a picture of your loved ones or getting that impulsive picture when something exciting happens.
Imagine trying to explain something serious and being asked if you are okay, or really nervous because your bottom lip is trembling.
Imagine not being able to peruse your dream career because you just can’t hold your arms or body steady.
Imagine being riddled with anxiety that makes you feel a tremor from your core to your head.
Imagine being jealous of something so simple as someone holding a spoon steady or carrying a cup of tea…
This is the life of someone with essential tremor - this is my life…
Essential Tremor is considered one of the most common neurological movement disorders and is estimated to be eight to 10 times more prevalent than Parkinson's disease. It’s a chronic condition characterised by involuntary, rhythmic tremors of body parts.
Essential Tremor is a slow progressive disorder and, in some people, may eventually involve the head, voice, tongue, legs, and trunk.
It can afflict persons of any age, gender and race and in the vast majority of all cases it is inherited.
While more commonly noticed in older individuals, Essential Tremor can begin as early as birth.
The tremor may be most visible when people maintain a fixed position. In some people, the tremor may worsen upon performance tasks and can often be described as feeling shaky or a vibrating sensation in the body.
The psycho-social effects of essential tremor can be, and often are, embarrassing and debilitating.
I was first diagnosed with essential tremor at about the age of 11. It upset me and made me avoid any circumstances where my tremor was visible.
As I have got older the physical and psychological effects of living with a tremor haven’t gotten any easier. I still avoid environments which draw attention to myself – I’m embarrassed of shaking…
To this day, only those close to me know I shake and why I shake – and those I entrust with this knowledge look out for me. They carry cups, pints, glasses, they write things down for me, type things out for me when I am at my worst and I trust them to help me rather than judge me.
Not many people know about Essential Tremor. Nor do they know how much this condition can affect those who have it. It’s for this reason I have chosen to enter my first half Ironman to raise awareness of the tremor.
Exercising can be one of the very few times I feel free of my tremor… so please, even if you don’t donate, just Google this condition.
And the next time you see someone shaking, don’t judge them or just assume they are cold, nervous or in withdrawal… just help them carry out the task they are trying to do.
**when I work out exactly HOW to donate to them I will post the link**
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