My Name is Aine Byrne and I am from Emper Ballynacaragy Co Westmeath. I am delighted to be representing Westmeath. I am a preschool Teacher In my local area and I absolutely love it. I am going to study my level 6 Childcare Special Needs assisting as this is the career I want to pursue. I am a caring and good-natured person.  

I completed the Mini Marathon four times. It would’ve been my 5th year but due to covid I couldn't do it, so I had to do the Mini Marathon at home. I absolutely love doing the Mini Marathon as it is so much fun and it gives you a great boost when people cheer you on. There is a lot of entertainment such as music playing and people playing instruments. I love taking part as it is a great experience, and you can do it for different charities. I do it for Neurofibromatosis a condition that I have. This year, I will be doing it for Neurofibromatosis NF.  

I was born with Neurofibromatosis at 6months old. The doctor diagnosed me with Neurofibromatosis when the found cafe au lait spots on my body.

I struggled a lot in primary school secondary and even College. My tough subject in Primary school and Secondary school was maths. I had to get resource in primary school and secondary school. Secondary school was very tough when it came to exams such as mocks junior cert and leaving cert. I struggled a lot with my assignments in college. I used to get panic attacks. I never let my condition put me down. Also this year I will be doing it in memory of a friend of mine Trevor O Meara from Ballymahon who also had NF. Sadly Trevor passed away last October from a very rare Brain tumour I would like to make people aware of NF in doing it in memory of Trevor I hope this will help. I will be thinking of him on this adventure. 

NF Association of Ireland - Information, help & support for those who need it (nfaireland.ie)