A FORMER businesswoman, who was crippled with back pain and confined to a wheelchair less than a year ago, is preparing to climb Ben Nevis.
Karen Marsh from Westhoughton has used sheer determination to overcome her condition and will now hike up the Scottish mountain on May 17 to raise money for the NHS service that treated her.
The 45-year-old said: "I'm nervous but I'm sure adrenaline will help get me through. I can manage about three hours walking at the moment but I'm determined to get to the summit on the day."
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The climb is expected to take between six and eight hours.
Mrs Marsh, a teacher, began suffering with back pain in December 2004 while decorating the family Christmas tree.
Her condition rapidly deteriorated.
She was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis grade 2, which is caused when the vertebra in the back move out of line from each other.
By January 2006 Mrs Marsh was forced to give up running her driving school, Driving Ambition, and begin using a wheelchair.
The turning point came in May 2006 when she was visiting the Chelsea Flower Show with her husband, John.
Some elderly war veterans were pushing her round and it was then Mrs Marsh decided to act.
With the help of the team at the orthopaedic, clinical, assessment and treatment service at Lever Chambers Centre for Health, she began taking gentle exercise.
Initially Mrs Marsh walked only short distances but gradually got stronger and joined the David Lloyd gym in Bolton, where gentle workouts strengthened her back.
Her weight fell from 14 to 11 stone and she started a teaching training course. The former nurse now works at City College Manchester, where she teaches literacy.
People can sponsor her by sending cheques, payable to Bolton Primary Care Trust, to Sue Greenhalgh, Lever Chambers Orthopaedic, Clinical, Assessment and Treatment Unit, Ashburner Street, Bolton.
Posted by: Catherine, Farnworth on 6:26pm Thu 8 May 08
Im sure this lady's considerable weight loss would have helped her back problems and as a nurse she may be able to help other people in a similar situation
Im sure this lady's considerable weight loss would have helped her back problems and as a nurse she may be able to help other people in a similar situation
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