Samantha inspires family’s challenge (From Craven Herald)

Samantha inspires family’s challenge

12:20pm Friday 6th July 2012 in News

Family and friends of a Settle woman with a debilitating muscle condition will take part in the British 10K Run in London this weekend to raise money for charity.

Samantha Lewis, 30, of Skipton Road, suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT), a neuromuscular condition that causes deterioration of the peripheral motor and sensory nerves, which leads to the wasting away of the muscles in the feet, lower legs, hands and forearms.

“Because I have weakness in my arms and legs, I’m not able to get around as well as a lot of people do,” said Sam. “I wear leg braces, walk with a walking stick and have quite a lot of pain in my hands.”

Now her partner, Claire Turner, 33, sister, Heather Lewis, 38, brother Tom Lewis, 40, and his partner, Teresa Davidson, 38, have signed up for Sunday’s British 10K Run to raise money for the charity, CMT United Kingdom.

The debilitating and progressive neuromuscular condition has affected Sam nearly all her life.

“I was diagnosed when I was about six years old, but I wasn’t told of my CMT diagnosis until I was around 16.

“I was twisting my ankles from a young age,” recalls Sam. “I was tripping and falling quite a lot and was poor in sport, which is a characteristic of CMT. I came last in every sport I did.

“I just thought I was clumsy and rubbish at sport.

“When my parents told me about the diagnosis, it answered a lot of questions I had,” said Sam. “Although it was a shock, I had a reason to feel more at ease.”

“CMT significantly affects the way I live my life, but with the support of my family and the charity, CMT United Kingdom, I am able to live life to the best of my abilities.”

So far, Sam’s family and friends have raised £720 for the charity.

If anyone would like to make a donation, visit justgiving.com/cmt10krun.