Antoinettedoesthe‘WalkofLife’
29-YEAR-OLD ANTOINETTE O’SULLIVAN, WHO WAS BORN WITH APERT SYNDROME, IS WALKING IN AID OF TEMPLE ST HOSPITAL
FOR Ballybunion’s Antoinette O’Sullivan, it’s been a month that she’ll never forget as she took part in an epic challenge to walk or run 100 miles during May in aid of the team at the Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
29-year-old Antoinette was born with a condition known as Apert syndrome, which is a genetic disorder characterized by skeletal abnormalities.
This early fusion prevents the skull from growing normally and affects the shape of the head and face. The feet and hands are affected.
Unable to work during the lockdown, Antoinette said that she suddenly found herself with a lot of time on her hands, and after coming across the idea for the 100mile challenge on Facebook, she decided that it would be something she would try to tackle.
At first, she thought that the challenge was something that she was going to do just for herself, but one morning she decided that she wanted to partner up with a cause.
Antoinette started her challenge on April 29, and now, as she approaches the end of her month-long challenge and having raised close to €2,400, way ahead of her initial goal of €2,000, Antoinette spoke to about how it’s gone for her.
“It’s the first time that I’d ever attempted a challenge like this before, and I have to admit that it is tough on the legs because I’m constantly on the go,” she said on Monday.
“But, honestly, when I’m out there doing three/four/ five miles a day, I’m really enjoying it.
“I’m out there and I’m not trying to get a certain time or constantly watching the clock. Once I can get my three or four miles a day done, I’m happy.
“I’d be out there for hours because you’d just get swept up in the beautiful Ballybunion scenery,” she continued.
“Don’t get me wrong, there are some tough moments but I am really, really enjoying the whole thing, and I know in my heart that I have achieved something,” she added.
Speaking as to why she chose Temple Street Children’s Hospital as her cause, Antoinette said that it’s an organisation that has been there for her and her family since her birth.
“They did a lot for me when I was a baby, and they have always been there for me and for my family,” she said.
“I got in touch with them, I told them my idea and what I wanted to do, and they were delighted to have me on board, and that evening I set up the fundraising page and it’s just taken off from there,” she continued.
As for having smashed her target amount, Antoinette says that she has been overwhelmed by the huge support that she has received from all over Kerry:
“If I could go out there and give everyone who has donated a big hug, I would. I’m just really overjoyed at the whole thing. Some days, I’m literally lost for words at how good people have been.
“Finally, I’d like to just give the whole community of Kerry for their support and all the messages that I’ve received.”