Glasgow medical student completes Great North Run in honour of disabled brother
A Glasgow medical student has taken on the Great North Run in support of her younger brother who was diagnosed with a genetic disorder aged just six.
Dominic Burns's parents feared something was wrong with the youngster but had to fight to have him diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The condition, which can be fatal, causes wasting and weakening of muscles which can lead to difficulty walking, trouble swallowing, breathing complications and heart problems.
His older sister Maddie is now hoping to give back to charity Muscular Dystrophy UK which has supported Dominic, now 16, and his family. The 20-year-old medical student, who took on the Great North Run on Sunday, September 8, said: “I’ve attempted running a couple of times in the past but never really got into it.
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“Then my mum suggested the Great North Run when she spotted it on Muscular Dystrophy UK’s website. Fundraising has been my main motivation as the charity has been important to my family and me since my brother was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy a decade ago."
Maddie was 10 years old when her younger brother, Dominic was diagnosed. “Dominic was six at the time and neither of us really understood the implications of the condition,” said Maddie. “My mum is a nurse, and she knew something was wrong, but my parents really had to fight for a diagnosis.
“Over the years, as his muscles weakened, I noticed him start to tire more easily and he needed to be in a wheelchair full-time from the age of 12. Independence is important to him, so my family's being able to get a van recently that can accommodate his power chair is a big deal as getting out and about is easier.
"By doing this run, I wanted to raise as much money as possible to help and support people living with muscular dystrophy and their families. But also increase awareness of the condition as I think most people aren’t aware of it and the impact it has on people’s everyday lives.”
Maddie, who completed her first half marathon in 2 hours 33 minutes, raised £1,900 for Muscular Dystrophy UK which supports more than 110,000 people in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions.
Aaron Fernandes, Challenge Events Officer at Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “We’re so grateful to Maddie for choosing to take part in the Great North Run and being part of Team MDUK in support of her brother. Thanks to fundraising like this, we can continue to improve understanding of muscular dystrophy, provide advice and support to those who need it, and help accelerate new treatments.”
Find out more about Muscular Dystrophy UK here.
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