I’ve always wanted to run a marathon and tick it off my bucket list, but running 42.2k non stop has always seemed way to daunting to tackle and I thought it was not a realistic goal for me. That was until I came across Malu Cove Hunt’s story. Malu started having seizures in December and had an EEG and MRI to confirm it was Infantile Spasms which is an horrible form of infant epilepsy. It creates an electrical storm in the brain and can cause regression in development. The Infantile Spasms were a sign that something wasn’t right and they needed to work out what it was. They put him on a huge dose of steroids, which many adults wouldn’t even take. The first lot didnt stop the seizures so they had to increase the dose. This stopped them but he had so many side affects the poor little guy. They did further tests and found that the seizures were focal seizures from a certain area in his brain. His seizures returned a few months later which his family were told would most likely happen. They trialled him on a few different medications but nothing stopped his seizures. The procedure he then had is called a hemispherectomy. They removed some parts of his brain but disconnected the entire right hemisphere. That side will continue to have seizures but the messages can’t be sent to the other side and should allow the left side of the brain to develop. Many people describe this surgery as being brutal and it is. It’s left him with hemiplegia, a partial paralysis on his left side, and hemianopia, no vision in the left half of both eyes. The hope is that his cognitive, social and emotional development should take off. Malu is a little legend who continues to make great strides in his recovery, the cards he has been dealt and the journey Erin and their family have been on and to see the outlook they have towards life is truly inspiring. Thanks to Erin Johnson for allowing me to share Malu’s story and to Matthew Daniels (matt@themarathonman.com.au) the running guru for my program and his guidance. Over the next few months I’ll be pounding the pavement in preparation for my #marathonformalu and i’ll be raising as much money as I can in the process. I am not doing this for a pat on the back or any kind of recognition at all, I was just inspired by Malu and his determination motivated me to achieve my personal goal and this gives me purpose, I wanted to give back in a world that is ridden with negativity at the moment. I completely understand everyone’s financial situation is different but every cent counts. Help me raise some money for the Royal Childrens Hospital Cockatoo ward. 12 week custom running program: 628km total. Average 52km a week. Run every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday (half marathon every Sunday for 12 weeks) Marathon date 28/11/2020 To see Malu’s story head to https://instagram.com/malucove_ouroceanwarrior?igshid=rwy16tls3id Thanks in Advance, Charlie