A Rare Kind of Walk

A few years ago I ran my last half marathon. A rare metabolic disorder has robbed me of the ability to keep running, but it has opened up some other new and incredible opportunities. I now volunteer for Rare Disorders NZ, working on behalf of the 300,000 kiwis living with a rare disorder - and their families and carers - to improve healthcare, support, and education throughout the country.

Maybe I can't run. But I reckon I can walk. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to walk a loop around Mt Eden, a beautiful maunga in the centre of Auckland that I used to love running up, and I'm going to see whether I can do it 10 times. How far is that exactly? About the same distance as a half marathon.

March 2024 is Rare Disorders Month, a month in which we celebrate people with rare conditions, raise awareness, raise money, and raise our voices to ensure that vulnerable people - often living with chronic illness and disability for which there are no available treatments - can get a fair go. The month kicks off on Rare Disorders Day - this year that will be on the rarest of days, the 29th of February. One month later, on the 30th of March, I'll do my walk, bringing our month of events to a close.

Join me - by walking a few loops of the mountain with me on the day, by donating right here and now, or by sharing this page with your friends and loved ones.