My name's Lou, and I'm also known as Danger Lou!
Back in 2007, I was recovering from being really ill. I'd been misdiagnosed with depression when really I had a hormone disorder and had been left untreated for months. It had got to the point where I spent 60-70% of my day in bed with absolutely no effect on my high fatigue levels; I found it hard to even walk up the stairs. In 2008, after a period of successful treatment and gradually increasing my activity levels, I went for a run for the first time. I ran 200m. Twenty minutes later, I fainted. It was a little while before I tried again.
Over time, I've worked on my fitness. I started running more. I had more setbacks in the treatment of my condition that took me back to square one, but I kept trying to put on my trainers. I thought I had hit my fitness ceiling - with the limits of my condition. In January I joined the gym and found there's still space for me to get fitter.
And so, this December, I'm running my first 5k. Back in 2007 when I had low blood pressure and could barely lift myself from my bed, it seemed impossible that I would get here. Which led to the name of this challenge, "The Impossibles."
My "Impossible" might seem easy to you, or it might seem difficult! I hope that, through this campaign, we will show people that it doesn't matter what your starting point is, good things happen when you set yourself a challenge, share it with others, and allow them to support you through. For me, that's what You Can Hub is all about.
I'm raising money for You Can Hub because I have seen the difference we have made to people first hand. A young man with a dream to cycle who now not only cycles regularly but has been a genuine community leader in bringing cycling to many more people. A young woman who has blossomed in confidence and social skills. A man who has taken control of his fitness for the first time in his life.
I'd love it if you supported our work! Go on... hit the donate button!
