Run so Lydia can walk

My name is Brendon, I’m a 31 year old Afghanistan veteran, and I am raising money to help Lydia, who was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD) a rare, non-hereditary birth defect.

MISSION -

On the 20th of November 2021 it is my mission run The Queenstown Marathon (42km), then two weeks later on the 4th of December run The Kepler Ultra-Marathon (60km) to raise money towards Lydia’s next life-changing surgery and ongoing rehab costs, so that one day Lydia will be able to walk on her own two feet.

MOTIVATION -

During the recent lockdown I severed the nerves and tendons in my hand, my surgeon had to operate immediately.

The surgeon explained it would be a 3 month recovery with no use of my injured hand. I usually train around 10x per week- a routine pivotal to my mental health. Training is a key part of who I am, part of my identity so in my mind this was the end of the world…Bear with me…

The next day I shifted my perspective. I realised that my initial response was a little dramatic and despite my injury I knew this was only temporary. I acknowledged that I was still able to run, a privilege that many others only dream of.

This is what inspired me to raise money for Lydia through running the Queenstown Marathon and Kepler Ultra Marathon.

LYDIA -

I read about Lydia’s journey online so I reached out to her mum Lauren. Lauren is a down-to-earth Kiwi mum who wants for Lydia what any parent would want for their child; the best possible medical outcome, which in this case is Lydia having her own two feet on the ground.

We could all learn a lot from Lydia’s story. At only 5 years old she displays so much courage, strength and determination.

Lydia's particular case affects around 1 in 500,000 babies. Lydia’s parents, Lauren and Hamish, were told by doctors here in New Zealand that the only option for Lydia was to amputate her leg or rotationplasty. Neither of these options felt right to the Golding family so their search for alternative outcomes began.

After lots of research they discovered Dr Dror Paley of the Paley Institute in Florida, USA. In November 2020, Dr Paley went on to perform the first of multiple life changing surgeries to give Lydia a hip and start lengthening Lydia’s femur. This was an outstanding success however there is still a long road ahead.

This first surgery has cost the family in excess of $500,000nzd including, travel, transport, living costs, medical bills, and daily physical therapy. The family are not only trying to pay this debt off but are now also saving for her second surgery in 2-3 years’ time which is estimated to be around $450,00nzd.

With the permission and support of Lydia’s family this fundraising page is directly linked to their nominated bank account.

I would love for you to join me by sharing Lydia’s story and giving what you can.

You can read more about Lydia’s story and follow her journey through the following links

https://www.facebook.com/Lydiasdream/

https://www.instagram.com/lydiasjourneyto2feetonthegroun/

SPONSORS -

A big thanks to Pure Sports Nutrition and Fresh Choice who made this all possible through sponsoring me into these events. Both companies have provided huge support towards Lydia’s cause.

If you would like to follow me with my training and events see the following link

https://www.instagram.com/brendonluke_/