Ataxia Man and family take triathlon challenge
A LOCAL couple, Brian and Sue Davis from Formentera del Segura, joined together with family in the UK to take part in the Marvel Superhero at home challenge, from June 15 to July 15.
Their team, Team Bests, have been tackling a ‘triathlon’ with the aim of raising awareness about the very rare neurological condition ataxia, which very few people know about.
Ataxia predominantly effects mobility, coordination and speech. People with ataxia are often wrongly perceived to be drunk because of their strange gait, lack of mobility and slurred speech.
It is a life-limiting, degenerative condition, the only certainty about which is that from diagnosis it will get worse. It is ageless, affecting adults and children alike; in Spain there are only around 8,000 people diagnosed with ataxia, whilst in the UK around 10,000.
There is no effective treatment, medicine or cure for ataxia, which for some people can often mean a lack of hope.
Team Bests, including their one-year-old granddaughter, have been swimming, cycling and walking (largely at home), aiming to smash the suggested 20-kilometre target distance. They were determined to complete an equivalent distance of two marathons between them (over 80km!).
They are also hoping to raise funds for ataxia along the way and have amazingly already exceeded their sponsorship target.
Brian, who has had this condition for almost 40 years and is now reliant upon a walker to get around, explains that despite the problems it has caused him, he considers himself fortunate compared with many others and looks upon his ataxia as a personal challenge to overcome.
He regards himself as differently abled, rather than disabled, as he can still do many things, just not in the usual way. He knows first-hand how people with ataxia often suffer from people’s misconceptions and judgements, which is very hard to take. This can be embarrassing, hurtful and upsetting, both for the sufferer as well as those with them.
Brian says: “Knowing that money is tight for many people just now, this is more about raising awareness and understanding, although donations are gratefully received. If we can inform just a few people then we will achieve what we set out to do.”
The amazing news was that by Monday, Team Bests had smashed their target with three weeks to go, so they have decided to carry on swimming, cycling and walking to see just how far they can go. currently at over 98 km with until 15 July left.
Even better news is that we have now raised £501 - 250% of their initial aim.
To find out more, follow their progress and/or to donate, please visit: https:// www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brian-davis5
Brian would be interested to contact any other English speakers in Spain who also suffer from ataxia. To do so, email ifd50@hotmail.com