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81 %
raised of €200 target
by 8 supporters
Carmen Dowling avatar
Carmen Dowling

Carmen's Cardio Marathon Rehab training in 6- 12 weeks

12 Cardio Rehab hours & 10-20 swim lengths of pool for Headway (Ireland) because id like to help raise money for stroke survivors

81 %
raised of €200 target
by 8 supporters

Headway (Ireland)

We support people with brain injury to help them get back to everyday life

Charity Registration No. CHY7417


Hi supporters , I'm Carmen most of you know me, and any one that doesn't know me yet, a big hello and thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page for Headway.

Im taking part in cardio rehab sessions with my Cardio trainer Andrew at the Mardyke in Cork.  There will be 12 45 minute sessions, over a period of 6-12 weeks.  I'm also trying to complete 10-20 lengths of the pool .  This is no mean feat as I suffer from a couple of nasty autoimmune diseases :- Lupus, Sjogren's (basically this means I have antibodies : anti Ro and Anti La that result in inflammation in my skin, nerves, joints , muscles, heart and kidneys).   I also have Antiphospholipid antibodies that make my blood clot easily and have caused 3 TIAs and a mini stroke.   

My story so far is that  I woke up in hospital August 2014, not being able to use my left arm, and it was hard to speak etc. I couldn't walk or talk or eat properly at first.  Fatigue and pain were trying to drown me and life was feeling pretty bleak, dark, nasty and ugly because everywhere I looked I could see my own inadequacies and my whole life was on hold or so I thought.  However , over the course of 2 years I've continued my rehab, got my degree in Social Care and met some of the most inspiring people at Headway during student placement .  

As I enter year 3 I hope to not only achieve better physical function and general wellbeing, but I'd like to to try to raise funds for people on a similar journey to my own .  Maybe to give at least one person an extra counselling session, physical activity sessions , etc  to promote greater happiness and over all well being.  

People with acquired brain injuries need to be more included within society, valued and visible and the more money raised then the better prospects of getting services to empower them to get back in to the community , perhaps working and doing the things they love most.  

So without further ado onwards and upwards to achieving my goal and I hope you will find a spare 5-10 euros to add to the pot of making real difference to people who have suffered strokes and other acquired brain injuries.  Any amount will be greatly appreciated!! Thank you !!   

Remember it could be your sister, brother, auntie, uncle, mother , parents, grandma/ grandad , cousins friends, work colleagues that have been affected nobody is immune . 

Thanks for reading !!!

Kindest regards 


Thank you for  taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
