Marathon challenge for Bushey resident (From Watford Observer)

Marathon challenge for Bushey resident

1:30pm Saturday 9th April 2011 in News By Michael Pickard

A disabled woman with a rare disorder from Bushey will be the first known person suffering from her condition to walk the marathon.

Lara Bloom, 30, has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and is aiming to raise more than £10,000 in aid of Ehlers-Danlos support UK.

After six months of training and physiotherapy, Lara hopes to finish the race in eight hours.

She was admitted to hospital just three weeks ago and was only discharged on Sunday, April 3 but is now more determined than ever to complete the race.

Lara said: "This is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. None of my doctors think it's a good idea."

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a connective tissue disease that affects one in 5,000 people. Symptoms can include problems with skin, ligaments and internal organs.

For more information, visit www.ehlers-danlos.org