Hulk100KIn2Days

“Hulk told me to walk so I walked”

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Fundraiser for Brain Tumour Ireland and Donegal Community Hospital by walking 100K+ in two days.

I am raising funds for 2 great organisations whilst also raising awareness of Brain Tumours and the care needed for stroke patients. I will be hitting the hills of Donegal to get match fit over the summer.  Follow My Journey Here 

New Decade New Challenge

I enter the 40s club on 14th June 2021. I am aiming to walk 100k+ in 2 days from my home town of Donegal to Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) and back again. I am aiming to complete this challenge onthe 14th and 15th August and I am taking my walking partner Jessie along for the adventure. Jessie is a five year old dog who is half Dalmatian, half Border Collie and she goes with me on all my walks around the beautiful and picturesque Donegal.

I am under taking this challenge due to my own personal journey over the last few years and to say a massive thank you to Brain Tumour Ireland and Donegal Community Hospital for everything they do and represent.

Personal Reasons

Brain Tumour Ireland is a charity close to my heart as I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma) on 1st May 2019. Acoustic Neuroma is a benign Brain Tumour that develops on the balance (vestibular) and auditory (cochlear) nerves that leads from your inner ear to the brain.

My consultant told me it was “The Best of the Worst” when he delivered my diagnosis so I have always felt blessed and considered myself very lucky.

Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk) was diagnosed with the same Brain Tumour in 2001 and his advice was to walk, so I did and I have walked at least 10km every day since May 2020 and many many more before that!!

I received Radiotherapy on 31st March 2020 and I am awaiting MRI results at the end of June 2021. I lost my hearing on the affected side and have now tinnitus and balance issues. I get extremely bad headaches and pain where the tumour is pressing against. I get numbness and tingling on the left side of my face and get extremely tired. All in all, I have a lot to be thankful for, I am more balanced and much more aware of the importance of health nowadays. I also have a much deeper understanding of Brain Tumours and the impact they can have on the person themselves as well as their family and close friends. 

Brain Tumour Ireland  has been doing amazing work since 2012. Their mission is to raise awareness of Brain Tumours and to ensure that Ireland is at the forefront of research, diagnosis, treatment and care. They run numerous events throughout the year and their vision is refreshing as they support Brain Tumour patients, their family, friends and carers. Please visit their website for more information.

Donegal Community Hospital is my local hospital and they have taken care of my dad since March 2020. Dad had a stroke and developed focal seizures on 12th January 2020. The word “Community” has never been more appropriate when used to describe a hospital. The care, love and warmth my dad receives on a daily basis is nothing short of amazing, especially during a pandemic. We are blessed that a lot of the workers there know dad well and they provide a phenomenal service. They all go above and beyond for both my dad and my family. He has had good and bad days since January 2020 but we are extremely thankful as a family to still have him around. He is a true fighter and he has also overcome Covid 19 in the past year.

All funds raised here will go directly to Brain Tumour Ireland and Donegal Community Hospital and will help ensure that these organisations can continue to offer these outstanding services going forward.

Symbolism

I have been so lucky to have travelled and seen so much of the world especially in my late 20’s to late 30’s. During these trips I have become known for Joe’s Pose. It is only now that I realise how symbolic this pose actually is and the meaning of it has evolved since my diagnosis.

The pose at first glance is two outstretched arms with a massive smile on my face. This symbolises freedom, happiness, love of nature and the outdoors. However, it has now taken on an even deeper meaning. As I raise my arms, my mouth raises in synch and therefore it also
symbolises balance, the gratitude of being able to smile and show my true feelings. We take balance and being able to smile for granted so Joe’s Pose has now been super charged to show how grateful I am.

Share, Donate, Strike A Pose

I hope you can support by donating whatever you can. It is whole heartedly appreciated. I want to also thank you all so much for reading my story and I am beyond thankful for any donation.

Simply click the Donate button above. All donations are processed securely. 

You can also share my page using the Share options. This is a great way to show your support.

And why not strike a pose as well when you are out on your next walk :)

Many thanks for your support.

Joseph