14:00, 15 October 2024
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
On average, it takes 12 to 20 weeks to prepare for a marathon. A gruelling and intensive process that is physically and mentally demanding.
However, it is also a chance for many people to push themselves past their limits.
Anna Marie Gregory, who has hypermobility, is just one of the participants in the upcoming Great South Run 5K, a road race held in Portsmouth.
“My grandmother just kind of inspired me to take that extra step, because I thought, as long as I finish, I haven't failed. And I'm standing for so many different reasons that just going out there and saying to people, ‘look, you know, I can't have limitations that stop me from doing some potentially great things.’”
Being diagnosed at an early age, Anna Marie explains that hypermobility is more than being extra flexible: “Once we come into adulthood, our bodies are supposed to make adjustments to enable us to know where our limitations are physically so as to avoid injury. Unfortunately, hypermobility means that there is a medical reason. During gestation, there's a particular protein that strengthens all of our soft tissues, when it's missing it means that later in life, our tissues are much more pliable and thin.
“So not only am I prone to injuring muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, it means that my skin is much more fragile. It means that my organ walls are much thinner and prone to injury or illness.”
Living with hypermobility has had its challenges for Anna Marie, who has faced declining health for over three decades due to the condition. Due to the complexity of the disorder, it has many knock-on effects such as digestive problems, likeness to experience chronic inflammation and chronic pain which can lead to disruption to sleep and working life.
Hypermobility is just one of the chronic conditions that are frequently referred to as “invisible illnesses” but Anna Marie aims to shed light on the profound impact it can have on individuals’ lives, many of whom exhibit few to no visible symptoms.
After seeing an advert for the more runners Anna Marie told Smiley News: “I was invited to join the walking group, as they have a specialised group of people who might have disabilities or just have difficulties in general, doing longer runs, which is usually led by members of the Paralympic team.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to, one, represent them as an organisation, two, I have a personal interest just in pushing myself really, just because I struggle sometimes, on a day to day, I wanted to be able to prove to people that, just because you might live with something that might stop you in some ways, but not in others.”
Hypermobility is just one of the chronic conditions that are frequently referred to as “invisible illnesses” but Anna Marie wants to shed light on the prominent effects.
Daily life can have a series of struggles as chronic pain, persistent fatigue and significant mobility and working challenges are often experienced by those diagnosed with hypermobility.
Living with chronic pain, persistent fatigue, and significant mobility challenges, Anna Marie's daily life is a series of struggles, including frequent injuries from routine activities. Additionally, she has developed permanent deformities as a result of insufficient early intervention and treatment for her hypermobility.
“It was really in my late 30s that, after years of going through physiotherapy, seeing rheumatoid specialists, that somebody sat down and said, ‘You do realise that actually this is a long term chronic health condition’. It’s actually deteriorating, because obviously once we start ageing, then we're at greater risk of injury as well, and illness and recovery takes much longer.
It was actually because I was going through the pain management clinic that I'd actually been given that information. By that point, I already had skeletal distortion. I'm not walking properly. My hips are out of place. That's caused an offset fixture in my lower back. I've got permanent ligament damage in my right shoulder as well, which is my dominant arm, because of over wear and tear, so it limits my physical capabilities. And some days I am completely immobile because of the inflammation and the pain.”
It was whilst she was supporting Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association, that Anna Marie learned that hypermobility is very highly linked to children that are born with Down syndrome.
“I wanted to get that connection and awareness out there, because I don't want more children being named as clumsy, or being told that they'll grow out of it, when, actually, we can do the preventative stuff early on to not limit their what they’re capable of doing, but just to be more mindful.”
With her sights set beyond her condition, Anna Marie is gearing up to complete the marathon course alongside others in a ‘Green Army’ for Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association.
Beginning and concluding on the beautiful seafront, the event offers breathtaking views at every turn, passing by iconic landmarks such as the Historic Dockyard, HMS Victory, and Southsea Castle.
Support Anna Marie and the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association by donating here, or head down to Portsmouth on the 20th October to cheer her and the ‘Green Army’ on!
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Hypermobility Syndromes Association (HMSA). This charity provides support and information for individuals with hypermobility syndromes, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Find out more.
The Ehlers-Danlos Society. This is an international nonprofit focuses on providing education, support, and research funding for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility disorders. Learn more here.
Down’s Syndrome Association. This charity works to support individuals with Down's syndrome and their families by providing information, resources, and advocacy. Support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
