Determined student Imogen Rowe, who doctors said might never walk, is in training for the race of her life 鈥� competing in the London Marathon.聽
Imogen, 18, who is studying Professional Food and Beverage Service at 爆料王, also suffer with an eye condition that causes profoundly distorted and limited vision.
Despite her sight impairment and suffering developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia, she has her heart set on making the finishing line in the 26-mile race on April 23.聽
Imogen says: 鈥淎fter years of watching and hearing about it [the Virgin Money London Marathon], and being inspired by my uncle doing it last year, I decided to apply and I've got a charity place which I am delighted about, so I have pledged to raise 拢2,000.鈥澛�
She will be raising money for Fight for Sight, a UK charity dedicated to pioneering eye research. 鈥淰ision is very important for everyone so I鈥檇 like to join the fight to prevent and end sight loss,鈥� says Imogen.聽
She suffers from keratoconus, which affects the cornea, the clear dome-shaped window at the front of the eye. The cornea focuses light into the eye to help produce a clear image.聽
According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the cornea becomes weaker and thinner at its centre in cases of keratoconus. 鈥淭his thinning causes it to bulge outwards in an irregular cone shape,鈥� says the RNIB. 鈥淭his can make your vision blurry and distorted, as light being focused by your cornea forms an unclear image on your retina, at the back of your eye.鈥澛�
In addition to her sight difficulties, Imogen has also had to overcome the challenges of dyspraxia, which affects physical co-ordination and can make a child appear to be clumsy.聽
鈥淢y parents were told I'd never walk as a baby,鈥� recalls Imogen. 鈥淎lthough it took me longer 鈥� and after a lot of physiotherapy 鈥� I finally proved everyone wrong. With my determination, I was finally walking, so it feels surreal to now be training to run 26.2 miles.聽
鈥淚 believe my ambition and tenacity has stemmed from having those issues. Crossing that finish line will be the most incredible experience. I think I will be overcome with emotion.鈥澛�
To help Imogen raise money for Fight for Sight, please go to her JustGiving page聽
