Pride

With my Grandparents

I'm walking daily now and monitoring my progress and sharing my story. I'm starting to feel proud of the progress made and the journey I'm on. Seeing that people are donating and it's over £1000 at the moment is totally amazing! I hear my parents talking so much about what I'm undertaking and I can hear the pride and support in every word they say. 

I hear my sisters saying encouraging words to support me, telling me to keep me going. I've had such kind offers from my cousins who've said they'll meet up to walk with me. They've even set up a training group chat. It feels surreal that it's all about me. I'm the weakest, the slowest, the least sporty of them all and they are there, encouraging me to keep going.

My grandparents are so cute! They tried to hide their emotions when I'm walking. I know it's tears of utter joy and pride as the tiny premature baby they held and prayed to survive IS doing OK. They tried to walk with me. My Grandad talks about a poem I wrote to him 8 years ago for his birthday:

My Grandad

My Grandad never rushes and walks so nice and slow 

He walks at a pace, one that I know 

He never says hurry up 

He always takes his time 

I love to walk Grandad, as his steps are short like mine 

Most people are in a hurry 

They don't stop or give their time 

I'm glad that God made Grandad

Not rushed and just so kind 

My Grandad takes little steps just as small as mine

He never rushes anywhere he always takes his time 

Others pass us by, while we sit and take our time 

My Granddad understands me that's because he's mine.

(Zoe, aged 10) 

It's amazing that those words written years ago are still so relevant today.

I'm so pleased that I can make others feel proud. It's something that will keep me going throughout the challenge. I walk daily in my local park and have conversations about my challenge with other park users. I'm taken aback as many have offered to join me on my daily walks. It's become a very social experience. It has made people more aware of the daily challenges I faced before doing the marathon, as well as the things I am facing and trying to overcome because of the London Marathon. 

This is first time I've seen people where I live fully understand and appreciate my physical struggles. I have found that a lot of people I talk to show a greater level of respect for what I am trying to do and the size of the challenge I am trying to complete. I feel like it's making people see me on another level which is not pity but admiration and respect for my courage and determination to succeed in the goals I set myself. 

Help me reach my target and support Sparks, donate here.