How Take Steps made a huge difference for me

Janet has asthma and she took part in Take Steps last year for our sister charity The British Lung Foundation. She tells us why she loved being involved in the sponsored walking challenge.

 “I would say to anyone who is thinking of doing Take Steps to go for it. It doesn't matter how far you walk, the longest I did in a day was only 2 km but the sense of achievement I got from it was incredible.”

 I have had asthma all my life but over the last 20 years or so, with an overprotective ex-husband caring for me, I had lost all my self-confidence. At one point I would only go out of the house in either a wheelchair or a mobility scooter. 

 When we split, I had to start doing more for myself. I had a Jack Russell called Herbie who relied on me for walks, so I started going out for short walks with him, but he died in June.  With that and shielding, I stopped going out at all and my self-confidence plummeted.

Take Steps in September gave me a reason to go out again and I surprised myself how far I could actually manage each day. 

I enjoyed finding parts of the village I had never seen before and it made me realise just what a beautiful part of the country I live in. Prior to this I had seriously thought about moving into the town but taking on the challenge made me change my mind.

Together with my kids, I bought a rescue dog called Honey who I picked up at the end of October. I have discovered even more parts of the country round my village and walked even further since then.

If I hadn't done the challenge in the first place I doubt if I would have done any of this.

My self-confidence has improved out of all recognition. As I’ve walked further, my general fitness has grown and my asthma has improved.

I would say to anyone who is thinking of doing it to go for it. It doesn't matter how far you walk, the longest I did in a day was only 2 km but the sense of achievement I got from it was incredible.

The long-term benefits were without measure.

I will be doing it again with my new dog Honey and looking forward to walking even further and finding even more hidden gems with her. My son has already told me of a few walks I want to try. The fundraising for asthma research is invaluable.

Join Take Steps this June and make a difference. Walk any distance, when you want and where you want.  Whether that’s swapping the school run for a stroll, laps of your garden or hikes at the weekends, it all counts.  

Find out more here.

 

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