The Matt Hampson Foundation are delighted that we were able to play a big part in the fantastic Marathon success for Clare Lomas. Clare was injured in an Eventing accident and was left paralysed from the waist down and has become great friends with Hambo, she was one of the Foundation's first beneficiaries when she received £10,000 towards the cost of the robotic legs she has been using to assist her in her quest to finish the London Marathon course. Clare finished the 26 miles on Tuesday 8th May and we would like to congratulate her on this amazing achievement.
"what Claire has achieved by completing the London marathon is quite remarkable and am sure will inspire many people throughout the disabled community and beyond".
Matt Hampson
"One of the great buzzes you get when helping to run a charity is when something or someone you have helped comes to fruition in a big way. Helping Herve get from Cape Town to paris ranks pretty highly and Clare Lomas's superhuman feat is up there with the best.
Matt and Clare have become great friends since her accident in 2007 and I am certain that Clare would agree that Hambo has helped her get on with life... and has she done that! As soon as we heard about the marathon and her robotic legs, or bionic legs as we call them, typically, Hambo wanted to help. We had a meeting with Clare at Hambo's house and the rest is history.
Clare needed to raise a considerable amount of money to purchase the legs and the Matt Hampson Foundation committed a £10,000 donation to give the fundraising a huge start. We at the Foundation are so proud of what Clare and her family have done. She like Matt is a truly inspirational human being and we are looking forward to working together to help others for many years to come".
Roy Jackson
Chairman, Matt Hampson Foundation.
Claire's weekly Blog leading up to the Marathon.
Introduction
I was injured in an eventing accident in 2007. I have a T4 spinal cord injury which means I am paralysed from the chest down. During my time in hospital I saw many people who had had their lives turned upside down. Spinal Research (SR) are getting closer to finding a cure but can not do this without vital funds. In April I am trying to raise money for SR by walking the London Marathon. So how am I going to walk the Marathon when I am paralysed? I am the first person in the UK to learn to walk in the suit and have set myself a huge goal. I only have 12 weeks to learn which is not very long so the pressure is on!
Eventually I will get my own suit which is due to be available in May, it is less bulky than the one I train in, as that is adjustable so other people can use it in the clinic (Cyclone Plus). It's possible for me to get my own suit because of the help from Matt Hampson Foundation and other fundraising events in the equestrian world, for which I am so grateful. www.get-claire-walking.co.uk
Week 11:
I had 2 sessions this week as the clinic I train at was busy. They were not long session and the weather was far from good! But we wrapped up and went out walking. Both days were a success. I smashed two of my records! We measured the distance on our second session and did 2/3 mile in a speedy time of 75 minutes! I also managed 260 consecutive steps (quite often I drag a foot and the machine stops- this is when I don't get enough weight shift or loose my balance).
Only 2 more trips to Hull and then off to London for the big day... or days in my case.
I am going on the One Show before the Marathon- just waiting for the date to be confirmed- hopefully that will help get some more sponsors so can boost the amount raised for Spinal Research.
Week 10:
I had two shorter session on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Then I came back on Sunday with dan for a long session.
The weather was gorgeous- perfect for lots of outdoor practice. We had use of Advanced Performance's Garmin so we could see how far I walked. On both Wednesday and Thursday I did 2/3 mile. Matt (physio) just keeps a light hold of the strap at the back of the suit to be there should I take a dive! The Thursday session I walked better doing it about 15 minutes quicker!
The Sunday I really went for it- and believe me it seemed a long way! I managed a mile. I was ready to sit down on the journey home!
We are trying to get me used to the distance now- it does make my arms and wrists ache but I was pleased that the next day I wasn't too sore. I could feel I had worked hard but felt as if I could have stood another mile!!
In London I will make sure I have plenty of rests, maybe after every hour or so of walking. I am hoping this will mean I can get more distance covered.
I think my two sessions this week will be indoors as the forecast is bad so I shall work on my technique.
Not long to go now until the big day. I have some celebrities joining me- Clare Balding, Tim Henman, Lucinda Green, Dan Lobb & Helen Fospero, Gabby Logan and not forgetting Matt Hampson who is coming on Friday 27th. We are working on a few more! I leave from the Green start which is the celeb area so may persuade Gordon Ramsay, Will Young, James Cracknell or some of the other celeb runners to join me!
I was doing well inside and did the whole room including turns on my own. I then ventured outside again. It seemed so much harder with the ground not being as smooth. We worked out there quite a bit, and the third session was better. I walked about 1/3 mile... felt like a couple of miles though!
The robotic suit had an adjustment to the pelvic bar which actually made me stand straighter but it did change my balance so it took a while to adjust to that. I am improving but it really is one the most challenging things I have done, there are so many things to think about such as where you put the crutches- not too far forward or to far to the side, then there is the tilt which has to be just right. if I over do it my legs clash together and if it is not enough then the foot drags and the suit stops. I also try to work on my posture. That has improved a lot but I think when I can look up then it will make a huge difference but I am afraid for now I need to see what my legs are doing!
Only 4 weeks to go until I am on the start line. To sponsor me and raise vital funds for Spinal Research please visit www.justgiving.com/Claire-Lomas or text LEGS60 £(the amount) to 70070.
week 8:
Tuesday's training session went very well. I had my regular and long term physio (Kate) travel up to Hull with me to help and learn how to work the robotic suit as Kate will be with me for some of the Marathon. Kate had not seen me in the suit since week 2 and was quite impressed. The session went very well right from the start, the hip movement I started to practice the week before seems to have helped. The whole session was indoors and I walked on my own including some turns! We also got me learning to use the watch control. A few weeks ago I would never have been able to press a button on my wrist as my balance was not good enough, but I managed it fine. The getting up and down felt fine, the button to put it into walk mode was more difficult because if I wobbled it sensed something and tried to take a step before I was ready, and because I hadn't shifted my weight correctly the step was poor and the machine then stops. I did get this in the end though. At one point Les and Kate were discussing something so i decided I would walk off- took them by surprise!
Wednesday was equally as good. Matt (Cyclone's physio) was pleased with the improvement and I think we all felt I am getting there. I need to be in better posture and when I see videos played back it annoys me. However standing totally upright is so difficult as I am still feeling the need to look at my feet. It is so difficult not having any sensation in my legs but i did manage a few steps not looking down and although it felt strange it was a lot better. Something else for me to work on!
Unfortunally I felt ill after the session on Wednesday and was very sick for 24 hours (thanks to Little Maisie Moo!) so I missed Thursday's session. At least the two sessions I got were a lot better. i am back on Monday and only 5 weeks to go!
Week 7:
Another busy week! Sunday and Monday were spent in London for Live with Gabby interview. We once again enjoyed the luxury of Chancery Court Hotel - absolute paradise! Gabby offered to join me for some of the Marathon which is great. We got back on Monday evening and headed off to Hull for more training. The session on the Tuesday was pretty awful - I was useless. It seemed to be 2 or 3 steps and then the foot drags and the machine stops. This happens when I don't get my tilt and weight shift right. Not as easy as you would think - with no sensation or movement it is a huge challenge. I felt a little frustrated. Matt (physio) then showed me how I was with a tiny bit of help with my balance and it made me realise that I have actually improved but being completely on my own is that bit more challenging. It is like the skiing. when I started skiing a blue well then go up to a red run and it is a struggle again.
The next day I had two shorter sessions. Both went better and I few steps felt quite well balanced. I discovered that doing the tilt from my hips really helped, I am not suppose to have function as low down as my hips but in the past 5 years of rehab I can now use muscles that low and feel them working. Surely if I keep working them they can only get better/stronger. I think the walking will be great rehab.
The third day I had a short morning session. Again this went quite well. I am just trying to get this technique drilled into my head. Why can I do it sometimes and then totally lose it!? I guess it is just repetition...practice, practice practice. Got home Thursday afternoon and was at work on Friday. The weekend needed to be fairly easy to get my energy back but little Maisie Moo doesn't like rest so we spent time playing with her in the sun :) . Off for more training on Tuesday this week. Only 6 weeks to go and grasp this!
Week 5: I had two frustrating sessions this week! It just didn't go to plan. The floor was being completed in the new clinic and I decided not to stretch before hand which was a mistake with hindsight. My muscles were very tight after the car journey and I wasn't positioned quite straight in the suit. The first hour or so was a struggle and this lead to me getting tired- we then adjusted my position and it did make a difference but I was already tiring. I finished a bit better but not as good as last week. I had an interview with the Yorkshire post and more photos! The second session was slightly better. I walked outside but still not as good as the week before. Very irritating especially as Daybreak came to film. However, I know that you have days like this with sports, I certainly have when I was riding and skiing. I may have just been feeling tired as I have been trying to fit in a lot of things- media, rehab, work and being a mummy!
On Wednesday we went down to London ready for our Daybreak interview on Thursday. We stayed in the stunning 5 star hotel, Chancery Court near Covent Garden who are very kindly supporting me until after the Marathon. We had a lovely evening there and were very spoilt. Maisie even had a big teddy waiting for her! Thursday was an early start as we were picked up from the hotel at 5.45am and had our first interview at 6.40. I loved being in the studio- it was great fun! We were interviewed again at 8am and Maisie managed to stay lively for both. I asked Dan Lobb and Helen Fospero if they would join me for a while and they have agreed to!
Back to London soon for Live with Gabby, Channel 5. 5th March. Hopefully a good few days training before though and no videoing or interviews so I can concentrate on just the walking.
Week 4:
We worked on turning on the first day and managed to walk around the room. Turned was not as difficult as I anticipated, not as challenging as the first step which Matt (physio) helped me with last week. I really seemed to have mastered the first step now. The session was interrupted by filming for the news (ITV and BBC) and photos for Sunday Mirror, but I still had enough time to practice everything inside.
The second day I did most of my walking outside! I did walk so much better, and really felt a huge improvement. The times I managed to keep a more upright posture I felt it become much easier on my arms, something I need to master before walking 26 miles! 'Inside Out' filmed some of the second session, that will be on BBC 1 on Monday 27th Feb.
Week 3: I had two more sessions this week and I have come home with a smile on my face! I really feel I made significant improvements this week. When I got in the suit for the session on Wednesday my first walk was much better than any I have done before. However I am still having help on the first step, this is the most difficult. So the team decided I need to work on this first step. It was a little frustrating, and I was trying harder and harder - I just couldn't find the key! We had an addition to the great cyclone team- Matt who is a physio. Matt was brilliant and without his help I think I would still be trying to take the first step. Les and Matt acted as my crutches so we could then feel what I was doing- it just worked. It is such a subtle movement I needed to be doing and Matt seemed to find a way of getting me to feel what I needed to do. It was a massive breakthrough. We did quite a few after that, and I wondered why I found it so challenging!
The session on Thursday was a success too. I seem to have got the feel for the first step now, and I worked on getting my balance after that first step then doing about 5 good steps and stopping independently. After all stopping is quite important but it has not been something we have worried about up to now but it is essential now I am walking better as it would be a real shame to get run over by a bus in London! My overall balance is improving each time, and because of this it my arms are doing less. I am really pleased with the progress this week- still along way to go to be able to walk 26 miles but I have 10 weeks left so hopefully with some hard work it will be possible! The Sunday telegraph came to take photos at the end of the session and it will be in the paper this Sunday.
Week 2:
I had 2 session in the ReWalk this week. Tuesday's session was encouraging- managed the whole length of the village hall a few times- approx 30 steps. I still would like to have less movement in my body but it is very difficult to get everything right- pelvis tilt, weight shift and crutches in the right place- AND look up (have a tendency to want to look down to see where my feet are!). I need to be in a better posture though to make it easier on my arms. It is very difficult to trust that your legs can keep you up when you can't feel them! My standing balance had improved a lot. I had my physio with me, she was impressed with the suit and hopefully she will come again when I have improved further.
My second session was on Thursday. We worked on sitting to standing to start with, I did these with less help. I felt a lot better standing and more confident. This was noticeable to everyone as my posture was significantly better. I was not taking as many consecutive steps as Tuesday's session because I was working on my technique. I felt the steps I did were on the whole a lot better- I was having much less help- they were just there to catch me if I lost balance. My arms did not ache as much so that has to be a good sign. I was trying to stand taller and find the balance point I have when I am standing whilst I am walking.
Looking forward to improving further next week!
Week 1: I spent 2.5 days in the Clinic near Hull. Most of the first morning was spent setting up the suit as the people at Cyclone have to learn this and there were two from ReWalk to teach them. Then it was time for me to get in the suit, I was not quite sure what to expect. It was amazing to be stood tall- very different to the standing frame and when hoisted above the treadmill which I do regularly at home. Most of the day was trying to get a good balance standing which is as not easy as it sounds. I had people around me so I didn't fall and they could grab me when and if I lost balance. I finished the day by taking 5 steps. I can honestly say this is one of the biggest challenges ever - I love a challenge! During the morning session on day 2 I was useless, left for lunch feeling very angry with myself so I watched a couple of videos of someone walking in the suit well and returned for the afternoon session. This went much better and made 12 consecutive steps, need to perfect them as I make them look hard work. Day 3 showed further improvements. There is a lot to learn but hopefully it will all click. I enjoy skiing now- when I think back to learning to ski I constantly lost my balance resulting in some fustrating times and some bad language.....I can now ski a black run, I believe the same will happen with the walking.
