Amanda

This year hasn’t been easy for any of us, but for those of us shielding, and living on our own, it’s felt like being imprisoned.

I’m 56 now. I started showing symptoms of Behçet’s when I was 18, and diagnosed by my rheumatologist, whom I paid privately to see, when I was 31. From showing acute debilitating symptoms, it took 8 years to be diagnosed.

When Rachael put on the Behçet’s site that she was doing the challenge, I literally text her straight away to say “I’m up for this on my bike!” I was so excited to dust my faithful 34 year old bike and get riding it again!

Before I became ill, I was doing at least 4 hours of training every day.Teaching I taught aerobic classes, undertook body conditioning and weight training, and 2 to 3 days a week cycled to work and back … 24 miles. A full time veterinary nurse, I had two horses which I was mucking out, grooming, and riding on of them every day, so from all that to being completely bed ridden for 4 years, was a shock.

I’m sure we are all used to hearing the words coming from our doctors mouths – go away and get on with your life, there is nothing wrong with you! Being told you’re a hypochondriac, having to go through horrendous tests. I’m sure you’re all used to hearing the words coming from family and friends “but you always look so well!”

I wanted to do this challenge to raise awareness. For children so young to be diagnosed faster and get the treatment they need straight away, rather than having to go through years of working their way through from the bottom!

I was absolutely loving my cycling! In 4 weeks I managed to do 108.05 miles.

On the 12/9 I fell off my bike and 3 days later became very unwell…after 10 days I ended up in hospital for a week .I had Legionnaires disease, which unfortunately put a stop to my challenge .

I am very proud of what I achieved and I am looking forward to getting back on the bike as soon as I get the go ahead.

A massive well done to all of you that did the challenge and the money raised was incredible.