A DETERMINED Cawston woman has walked 100 miles in a month in aid of a charity which has helped her manage a debilitating condition.
Louise Warriner strode through the challenge as part of the #CaptainTom100 campaign – a fundraising initiative in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who died in February – to raise money for the British Tinnitus Association (BTA).
The 46-year-old has lived with tinnitus, a ringing sensation in the ear, for the last 15 years.
But she noticed a change in the internal sound around 2013.
She said: “I was working part-time in a shoe shop and the air conditioning unit in there was rather noisy. I noticed that my tinnitus started to change, and it was almost as if it was trying to be louder than the constant whirring in the ceiling.
“Things progressed and soon my tinnitus-type sounds were trying to outdo any sound. It was a constant low rumbling with a high-pitch screech on top.”
Louise was referred to a consultant. “He did various tests and concluded over time that I had a rare condition known as Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS),” she said.
SCDS is caused by an abnormal opening between the uppermost semi-circular canal in the upper part of the inner ear and the brain and symptoms include dizziness, hearing loss, headache, fatigue and tinnitus.
Louise added: “The BTA have always been at the end of a message or a tweet when I have really needed it and the support in this 100-mile challenge has been superb. I have no idea what the future holds but I’m determined it will be better than it is now. Doing this challenge proved tough but I was determined to do it.”
Louise hopes her fundraising challenge will get people talking about tinnitus and raise the funds needed to make sure people can access the support they need, and fund future research to ultimately find a cure.
The BTA’s Fundraising Officer Jess Pollard said: “Louise has overcome so much after her recent treatment for SCDS and learning to manage tinnitus, and we’re so grateful that she is able to share her experience to support others and raise awareness.”
Louise has so far raised over £520 toward her £600 target.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/bsbknefh to donate, or email [email protected] to take part in a fund-raising challenge.
