| THE WALKERS
The GUCH Walking Club (GWC) came out of a desire from a number of GUCHs to explore the countryside, to see what is over the next hill and to be as active as their conditions allows them to be. They have a range of conditions, and varying levels of fitness. The GWC provides a safe environment for them to be able to explore the finest parts of the UK countryside by providing a supportive walking environment where the issues they can face are understood by the rest of the group and where walks are designed to allow as many GUCHs as possible to participate fully. |
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Paul was born with a heart condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot, though being Paul he actually has 5 things wrong with his heart rather than the 4 normally associated with the condition. At school Paul was denied the simple pleasures of a muddy cross country run or rugby pitch and is making up for it in what he prefers to think of as his second adolescence. A keen hiker, his enthusiasm for the hills and mountains of the UK and his passion to see other GUCHs enjoy them as much as he does makes him one of the driving forces behind the Guch Walking Club. |
After two childhood operations for Transposition of the Great Arteries, Elizabeth led a normal life until she joined the GUCH Walking Club, walked Hadrian's Wall and has carried on wallking - she still wonders how it all happened! When not putting one foot in front of the other she works as a tax advisor in Oxford and enjoys travelling, reading and good food. |
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Vicki was born with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries and after a heart operation in childhood went on to qualify as a nurse, have three children, become a dog-owner and is now training to become a social worker. She completed the Hadrian's Wall walk, in spite of her tendency to fall over the dog. Vicki has been assured that there are plenty of loos along the route and looks forward to verifying this for herself. |
| Mike was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries and had a heart operation as a toddler. He is now a design engineer in his home town of Wigan. He is a keen Rugby League fan (Wigan, of course) and is currently renovating his new house: a huge job which he hopes will get him fit enough for the challenge. Mike's daughter and dogs have accompanied previous walks but have sensibly opted out of this one! |
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Gill is 30 years old and comes from just outside Glasgow. She was born with a ventricular septal defect and takes daily medication to help keep her well. She only took up walking two years ago and wouldn't describe herself as an exercise fan. Gill says "I think I have now been converted as I have met a fantastic group of fellow walkers and we all keep each other motivated when the going gets tough." Hadrian's Wall walk was by far the hardest challenge she has ever attempted. She wants to do the Thames Path walk as a challenge to herself and in raising sponsorship for GUCH PA to give something back for the help that she has received in the past. |
| Charlie was born with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries but has never had to have any operations to date, despite being on the transplant list for 5 years. He works for the NHS and is a Cub Scout Leader with an active pack and is married with 3 children; he loves the outdoor life and enjoys camping. Joining GUCH PA and the GWC has made a great difference to his outlook on life and also strengthened his confidence in facing the future. |
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Gilly was born with a Bicuspid Aortic Valve with Mixed Aortic Valve Disease (Open Aortic Valvotomy 1982) and Mild Coarctation of the Aorta (unrepaired). Married with 3 children and working as an Administrator, she enjoys life, goes to the gym on a regular basis but her greatest love is walking. GUCH PA and the GWC have given her a new lease of life and the strength to achieve her goals and hopefully go camping again. |
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