Two women in the UK, Lucy Brown and Chrysi Albustin, will be tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise awareness and funds for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT).
Lucy’s mother was diagnosed with CMT1A in 2002; before Lucy was born. CMT is a progressive, degenerative disease and Lucy’s mother’s symptoms have gradually gotten worse throughout the years. She became increasingly less able to do certain tasks and activities, like school sports days with Lucy. Lucy’s younger brother, who was diagnosed with CMT1A at age 5, has a relatively mild case and remains active, but he does require more rest to keep up with his peers.
Lucy shows no symptoms and therefore has not been tested for CMT. While she knows the genetic odds of inheriting this disease, she has decided not to be tested until she exhibits symptoms or decides to have children.
Chrysi met Lucy in 2020 and quickly became friends with the entire Brown family. Before meeting Lucy, Chrysi had never heard of CMT, and she was surprised to see the impact that it had on the Brown family. And while Lucy praises her father for being a huge support for her mother, Chrysi is quick to remind her of the significant role Lucy also plays in caring for her family and helping minimize the strain on her mother.
In January of 2023, Lucy’s mother was also diagnosed with secondary progressive MS, which was missed for years due to the complex symptoms of CMT. The progression of both of these diseases has put her in a wheelchair. Her mother’s decreasing mobility has fueled Lucy’s inspiration to make a difference.
Lucy and Chrysi are working together to raise awareness and funds for CMT and MS by completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge – a 24-mile hike covering a 1585 meter ascent of the Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough Peaks. If the terrain wasn’t enough of a feat, this challenge is typically completed in under 12 hours!
Follow along Lucy and Chrysi’s journey HERE as they train and prepare for their Three Peaks Challenge on June 15th, 2023.
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