My name is Anne Burns and I am absolutely thrilled, especially as a senior citizen, to be this year’s Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Louth County Champion. I am taking part to raise sponsorship for Polio Survivors Ireland, who provide wonderful dedicated services to survivors of polio, like myself, who have a paralytic physical disability.

I contracted the illness in Drogheda in the early 1950’s, spending long periods into my teens undergoing treatments in hospitals mainly in Dublin and Navan. I was then able to dispense with wearing a calliper on my right leg, until the early 2000’s when I began to experience Post Polio Syndrome. I developed weakness in my right knee and new muscle pain in my limbs, resulting in general severe fatigue. This was a shock to me as I had believed until then that I had recovered from my childhood polio illness.

The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, virtual for the second year running, allows me to take part in and to complete the 10K event in my own time. Prior to the pandemic this would have been outside my reach. Earning my Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon medal and Certificate of Completion last year gave me a great feeling of achievement. This would never have been possible, but for an otherwise devastating Covid-19 pandemic.

#PowerToMe, this year’s theme, is particularly very apt in my case. Despite my physical and stamina limitations, the virtual marathon gives me ample flexibility to complete the event within my capabilities. I build up my training with an easy walking regime, while being careful not to overexert myself. To anyone with limitations, I would say, it is still possible to achieve your goal in the virtual mini marathon and be delighted by the whole experience.

Outside, training for the mini marathon, I especially enjoy music, reading and while taking easy exercise absorbing the beauty of nature.

I am raising funds for Polio Survivors Ireland, the only charity providing practical support to those unfortunate enough to have contracted polio when babies or young children. This small charity responds to urgent requests for assistance from polio survivors and, perhaps most importantly, provides a listening ear to survivors in need.

They ensure the legacy of polio is not forgotten by creating awareness of polio and its late effects, particularly amongst health care professionals, many of whom have never received adequate training to appropriately treat polio survivors. They also provide wheelchairs, bespoke callipers and special shoes, essential winter heating grants, access to physiotherapy and counselling.

The charity has been unable to undertake its usual fundraising efforts this year due to the pandemic. Any sponsorship I can raise for the charity will go directly to helping polio survivors. Go to www.idonate.ie/AnneBurns or www.polio.ie