Siblings go on the run in tribute to their mum
An Incredible show of family unity will be on display later this month
as 11 brothers and sisters run the Bath Half Marathon in a touching
tribute to their mum. Janet Johnson, of Weston, was diagnosed six years
ago with the degenerative brain disease multiple system atrophy (MSA),
which affects her movement, balance and communication. She finds it
increasingly difficult to talk and eat and now uses a wheelchair, but
her mind is as bright as ever.
The Johnsons are scattered across the UK and abroad - including Spain - and meet about twice a year.
But on Sunday, March 19, they will be pulling on their running shoes to start the race together and raise thousands of pounds for charity.
They are hoping to bring in £5,000 for the Dorothy House hospice and another £5,000 for the Sarah Matheson Trust, which researches the condition and supports MSA sufferers and their families.
Their ages range from 28 to 48 but there has been plenty of sibling rivalry between the three women and eight men - with the two youngest in particular competing over training times via text messages.
Mrs Johnson's daughter Clare is a nurse at the Winsley-based hospice, where her mother attends a day care centre once a week.
"Most of us are just hoping to complete the marathon," said the 39-year- old, of Oldfield Park, who has been training since Christmas.
"We are all going to go at our own speeds but I think there's a lot of skullduggery and scaremongering going on among some of the boys, who are quite competitive.
"We think mum's very brave.
"She's always got a bright spirit and happy smile and people absolutely love her. She gives an awful lot even now. We want to make sure she knows she's not a burden and we want to show our appreciation."
The 72-year-old, who ran her own business for foreign students from home while a full-time mum, lives with her husband Chris, a retired assistant under-secretary for the Ministry of Defence, in Cedric Close.
She stays at Dorothy House for a week's respite care every once in a while to give her and her husband - who cares for her around the clock - a break.
The devoted couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family get-together in Wales.
"They had a good ten years of good health together after dad retired and before it struck," said Clare.
"It was great growing up in such a large family - there was never a dull moment. We're the last generation of really big families."
MSA usually starts between the ages of 50 and 60, although it can affect people younger and older than this. It does not appear to be hereditary and is not infectious or contagious. It is a sporadic disorder that occurs at random.
Around five people in every 100,000 in the UK are believed to be affected.
Andrew Taylor, race director of the half marathon, said he thought the siblings' effort was unique.
"I'm pretty sure it's a first for the marathon. I'm one of five siblings and only two of us are natural runners. For 11 siblings to take part is great and shows you don't have to be a fantastic runner to enjoy it.
"It's a great family story to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Bath Half Marathon."
Lloyds TSB has already donated £500 to the Sarah Matheson Trust and people can still sponsor the siblings by visiting the website http://www.justgiving.com/johnsonsmt to donate money to the Sarah Matheson Trust and http://www.justgiving.com/johnsondh to donate money to Dorothy House.
This article by Emma Cooney was first published in ‘The Bath Chronicle’ on Wednesday 1 March 2006
Useful URL : http://www.thisisbath.co.uk
The Johnsons are scattered across the UK and abroad - including Spain - and meet about twice a year.
But on Sunday, March 19, they will be pulling on their running shoes to start the race together and raise thousands of pounds for charity.
They are hoping to bring in £5,000 for the Dorothy House hospice and another £5,000 for the Sarah Matheson Trust, which researches the condition and supports MSA sufferers and their families.
Their ages range from 28 to 48 but there has been plenty of sibling rivalry between the three women and eight men - with the two youngest in particular competing over training times via text messages.
Mrs Johnson's daughter Clare is a nurse at the Winsley-based hospice, where her mother attends a day care centre once a week.
"Most of us are just hoping to complete the marathon," said the 39-year- old, of Oldfield Park, who has been training since Christmas.
"We are all going to go at our own speeds but I think there's a lot of skullduggery and scaremongering going on among some of the boys, who are quite competitive.
"We think mum's very brave.
"She's always got a bright spirit and happy smile and people absolutely love her. She gives an awful lot even now. We want to make sure she knows she's not a burden and we want to show our appreciation."
The 72-year-old, who ran her own business for foreign students from home while a full-time mum, lives with her husband Chris, a retired assistant under-secretary for the Ministry of Defence, in Cedric Close.
She stays at Dorothy House for a week's respite care every once in a while to give her and her husband - who cares for her around the clock - a break.
The devoted couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family get-together in Wales.
"They had a good ten years of good health together after dad retired and before it struck," said Clare.
"It was great growing up in such a large family - there was never a dull moment. We're the last generation of really big families."
MSA usually starts between the ages of 50 and 60, although it can affect people younger and older than this. It does not appear to be hereditary and is not infectious or contagious. It is a sporadic disorder that occurs at random.
Around five people in every 100,000 in the UK are believed to be affected.
Andrew Taylor, race director of the half marathon, said he thought the siblings' effort was unique.
"I'm pretty sure it's a first for the marathon. I'm one of five siblings and only two of us are natural runners. For 11 siblings to take part is great and shows you don't have to be a fantastic runner to enjoy it.
"It's a great family story to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Bath Half Marathon."
Lloyds TSB has already donated £500 to the Sarah Matheson Trust and people can still sponsor the siblings by visiting the website http://www.justgiving.com/johnsonsmt to donate money to the Sarah Matheson Trust and http://www.justgiving.com/johnsondh to donate money to Dorothy House.
This article by Emma Cooney was first published in ‘The Bath Chronicle’ on Wednesday 1 March 2006
Useful URL : http://www.thisisbath.co.uk
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