By Alexis Ellison | Duchenne Dad | serial fundraiser
It is done!
24hrs and over 40miles pulling and carrying a 10kg tyre and chain.I’m really not quite sure where to start. I’ll try and keep this as short as I can.
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me to accomplish this brutally torturous event.”Why on earth would you pull a tyre at an already difficult event.”
24 hours pulling a 10kg tyre
A few years ago I had an idea that I wanted to do something to highlight the very real struggle that is felt when a family member has a disability and requires extra care. Some days are easier than others, and other days are so hard they are almost impassable. The tyre represents that struggle.
I didn’t really have a mileage goal at the beginning of this event, my only stipulation was that I would always move with the tyre. Families, children and adults with disabilities can never truly disconnect from their struggle, so I wouldn’t disconnect my tyre. I was physically prepared for what lay ahead, I was prepared with regards to nutrition and feeding. I was prepared with equipment and medication I was also prepared with answers to reply to my negative mind which would shout at me to quit.
Excruciating pain
Little did I know the challenge would be so tough, and the pain excruciating. On three occasions I came within a hairs breadth of quitting, especially after receiving medical advice that I was causing a huge amount of damage to my feet. Pulling the tyre caused me subconsciously to push off with my toes and fore feet causing huge blisters, making it excruciating to walk. I was never going to quit! After strapping up my feet multiple times I continued.
During the night there was a biblical storm causing the race to be temporarily stopped, allowing me to sleep and regain emotional control. In the early morning I walked the short journey to the bathroom, and with every step the pain was excruciating. This next lap would be like nothing I’d ever felt before.
I couldn’t hold the tears back, I wept and wept with every painful step.
“Tyre man”!
By this stage I was known as the “tyre man”. The crowd would shout “tyre man,tyre man”, every single runner would complement and encourage me. As I started the final lap it all became too much,the crowds encouragement, the acute raw pain in every step, the main reason why i was punishing myself so much. To raise funds to find a treatment for OUR son!
I couldn’t hold the tears back, I wept and wept with every painful step.
Just one more step I’d repeat. Little did I know these last 8000 steps would be the hardest walk of my life.As I crossed the finish line I held the tyre above my head to show I still had strength to fight on, with the crowd chanting “tyre man tyre man”, ringing in my ears.
A big thank you
Of all the bonkers things I’ve done, this has been by far the hardest. My feet will heal and I’ll live on to fight another day, whatever the future may bring.
Needless to say I’ll be back next year to do it again, but not pulling the tyre.
If you’d like to help and make a donation, please visit our ongoing family fundraising page for Action Duchenne below.
Thank you Endure24 . We are all stronger than we think we are.
Thank you
Lex.
Head of Fundraising and Partnerships
