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A person who has narcolepsy will have to take multiple naps while participating in a 70km run with five friends.
The friends, who are students at the University of Bristol, are participating in a run from Bristol to Cardiff in order to raise funds for the organizations Mind and Narcolepsy UK.
They also aim to increase awareness for a condition that is often misunderstood.
Freddie Dowland was 10 years old when he was a sociable and promising young football player, as well as a choirboy at Southwark Cathedral.
However, everything shifted when he began experiencing unmanageable episodes of exhaustion. At the age of 11, he was eventually diagnosed with the incurable conditions of narcolepsy and cataplexy.
Due to a potential autoimmune reaction from a recent respiratory illness, the individual’s body stopped producing hypocretin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep and wakefulness.
Individuals with narcolepsy endure severe fatigue and episodes of sudden sleep, resulting in unexpected periods of slumber.
Cataplexy is a condition that typically occurs alongside narcolepsy and involves sudden weakness in the muscles, often brought on by intense emotions like laughter or surprise.
Mr Dowland recalled that it was one of the most challenging times in his life.
I was prescribed various medications, but experienced negative side effects. This significantly altered my daily life and I spent a majority of my time sleeping in the medical facility.
I began to experience a decline in my social connections and gained a significant amount of weight. I felt frustrated and angry.
12 years have passed and Freddie, who is now 21, is doing very well at the University of Bristol. He is currently studying geography with a focus on innovation.
He utilizes medication, planned rests, and healthy lifestyle decisions to manage his condition, including maintaining a consistent bedtime.
On Saturday, December 2nd at 6 in the morning, Freddie and his five companions will begin their journey from their shared residence in Bristol to Cardiff Castle, covering a distance of 70km by foot. Their loved ones will be present at the end point to welcome them.
During the journey, Freddie will have to rest in the support car three or four times while following behind.
“I never imagined being able to complete a half marathon, especially one like this,” stated Mr Dowland, a resident of North London.
This is the most difficult task any of us have undertaken. It is possible that there may be tears, injuries, or unforeseen events.
Raising awareness about narcolepsy is important as there is a lack of understanding surrounding it. It is not simply a matter of laziness or a preference for sleeping; there are many other factors involved.
His acquaintances from college have personally witnessed its impact on him.
Joe Hughes, an economics and finance student, admitted that before meeting Freddie, he was unaware of narcolepsy and its consequences like most people.
As our friendship grew stronger, I began to notice the daily impact of Freddie’s behavior. It was not unusual to see him nod off during social events or arrive late because he needed to rest.
“Through living together, I observed how he must plan his entire day around his nap schedule, but he still excels in university and maintains a job multiple times a week.”
“As a group, we all greatly admire how he refuses to let his condition limit his life. This has motivated us to continue training for the upcoming run.”
The remaining four participants include Charlie Mills and Joshua Gordon, both studying economics, Lewis Danter, a student of accounting and finance, and Finn Carter, who specializes in geography and innovation.
According to Mr. Dowland, training as a group has greatly improved our bond. During one of our training runs, we completed a marathon and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of my teammates. I am confident that we will be able to support each other and successfully complete the 70km race.
The group of runners has already collected over £2,000. To contribute, please go to their JustGiving webpage.
Source: independent.co.uk
