For the past 3 years Lucy and I have stood in the front line with our flags and flowers supporting Rob (with the wonderful Kirsty joining last year) and I thought it was about time I got off my lazy ass and joined in!
It took almost a year for us to get Lucy's diagnosis of Osteogeneis Imperfecta (OI, or Brittle Bones). We had a baby who fractured for no apparent reason, what was going on? Because there are just 1 in 15,000 children born in the Netherlands per year with this rare disease, there is very little known about it. There are many different types of OI, from the most severe, where babies can die within days of being born, to the lightest form, which Lucy has.
Lucy does not let OI stand in her way. She has had 25 breaks in her 11 years, and as much as I might try, there is absolutely no holding her down! She loves to cycle, run, jump on trampolines, rollerskate, play volleyball, push boys in the playground – most of which have lead to fractures in the past, but she lives her life to the full. Her ongoing positivity and energy is an inspiration to me. If I ask her to be careful (which happens a LOT!) she will give me her smile and tell me to “heb vertrouwen” – (to trust, to have confidence and faith in).
So, I have “vertrouwen” that I will complete this run! For Lucy, for everyone with OI, to raise awareness and much needed funds to help improve the quality of their lives.