Our articles are not designed to replace medical advice. If you have an injury we recommend seeing a qualified health professional. To book an appointment with Tom Goom (AKA ‘The Running Physio’) visit our clinic page. We offer both in-person assessments and online consultations.
RunningPhysio is raising money for Ataxia UK in memory of our wonderful friend Clover, who sadly passed away in February 2012. The money raised will help support people with ataxia and provide funds for research into a condition that has no cure.
Clover was an incredible person, a loving wife to Raf and a fantastic mother. She was incredibly bright, intelligent and funny. She also had a caring wisdom to her and was the person to turn to with your troubles. My fiancé Katy was one of Clover’s best friends and I know she misses her immensely. Clover had a condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia – a condition she described on her blog as “a neurological, degenerative disorder that attacks the nerves and slowly removes almost all aspects of independence”. She’s been wheelchair-bound since she was 15, although ‘bound’ is hardly a word you could use to describe Clover – little held her back!
Clover loved to travel and explored Africa and Europe. She was also a passionate writer and a big part of the Ataxia community. She’s well known to many at Ataxia UK after speaking at their conference in 2010 and writing for the Ataxian magazine. She’s was also delighted to be published in Disability Pregnancy and Parenthood International where she wrote about the challenge of bonding with a new baby as a disabled mother.
Clover loved being a mum and her and Raf’s daughter Flora is as bright and vivacious as her mother! Flora often stays with Katy and I and likes to keep us on our toes…
In November 2012 Clover’s health began to deteriorate. He heart began to fail and she battled to catch her breath. Even having conversations became difficult. By February Clover and Raf were unable to cope at home and Clover was admitted to hospital. When it became clear Clover was not improving she was transferred to the Martletts Hospice where she passed away with family by her side on February 28th 2012.
I’m running Brighton Marathon 2013 for Clover, to raise funds for her charity Ataxia UK. They are devoted to supporting everyone affected by ataxia, including over 10,000 people in the UK with the condition, their families and carers. They fund research into finding safe, effective treatment with the ultimate aim being to find a cure.
Update 11/04/13: unfortunately I can’t run Brighton Marathon due to a hamstring injury. Instead, I will continue fundraising and run another race when I’m recovered!
Thank you for taking the time to read Clover’s story and learn a little about our wonderful friend and ataxia. If you’d like to donate to Ataxia UK then you can do through our JustGiving page. Any donations very gratefully received.
Many Thanks
Tom and Katy
