Run for a Reason

I wanted to take this post to introduce you all to a very special person, one of my best friends, Sophia. Sophia is amazing for so many reasons, but I'll list a couple here.

1. She loves Downton Abbey

2. Sophia plays the piano really well

3. She is probably one of the most tolerant people I have met in my whole life

4. Sophia takes teasing so well and she has the best laugh (so it's really fun to tease her)

5. Soph's an amazing listener

6. The best brownies in the world are made by Soph (and they're gluten free!)

7. She is studying a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology and English, as well as studying a Diploma in French on the side (so basically, she's a clever cookie!)

However, for the last five years Sophia has been left in a wheelchair due to two diseases which affect her life - Postural Orthostatic Tacycardia Syndrome (POTS) and NK cell dysfunction (which is really rare). Sophia was kind enough to write a quick rundown of the illnesses. "POTS is the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system so the whole body is effected - I have been in a wheelchair for the past 5 years, as due to the body's inability to maintain an upright position, any postural change results in tachycarida and I faint. NK cell dysfunctions affects the NK cells which are the body's 'natural killer' cells. I have a very low number of NK cells and these cells have 0 function so they don't work at all in the body. This has a negative immunological effect as the body has no resistance to viruses."

This would obviously be a heartbreaking and life changing experience for anyone, but Sophia was a talented ballerina who hoped to make this her profession. I have never heard Sophia complain once about her illnesses - she is always so positive and happy and is honestly an inspiration.

Soph's mum is also amazing, and she will be running in the 12km Run for a Reason in a few weeks, and, if Sophia is feeling up to it, her mum will be pushing her through the course as well. They will be raising money for Rare Voices Australia, a charity that focuses on rare diseases. Everyone hates being sick, but can you imagine having anything impact on your life the way Soph's illnesses have? 

Sophia is aiming to raise $2000 for her cause so if you would be able to support her in this, she and her family will appreciate it so much. Do it for Sophia, do it for the 6-8% of Australians and the 70 million people world wide who suffer from a rare disease. Take a few minutes to spend a few dollars, and you can make a difference :)

Here is the link if you would like to donate to Sophia: http://www.mycause.com.au/page/70691/ hyperlink