A 25-year-old Children and Family Worker from Cardiff is defying doctors’ expectations by taking on the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon this October.
Rachel Barwise was born with Greig Syndrome – a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of the limbs.
When she was a child, her physiotherapist told her parents, Wendy and Russell, that she would not be able to do much. However, Rachel’s been proving them all wrong and is now set to take on her biggest challenge yet.
Rachel said: “I was born with extra digits on my hands and feet and had operations to rectify that from when I was six months old. I needed to go to baby physio and my mum overheard one of the physiotherapists saying that I’d never be able to do much, as Greig Syndrome can often leave you with poor muscle tone.
“However, my mum said I was a very chatty girl and said to my dad that doesn’t sound like our daughter. They’ve always believed in me and said I could do whatever I put my mind to. They’re incredible and have been really supportive, which is why I think I’ve never let this hold me back.”
Rachel has quite small hands and said the surgery she had when she was younger has left her with some scarring.
She said: “It makes me look different and people often go straight to the assumption that there’s something wrong with me – but I’ve never seen it like that and it’s something I’ve learnt to be more comfortable with over the years.
“I know my limits, but I’ve never seen having Greig Syndrome as a barrier. I will go and do whatever I set my mind to, I’m quite competitive and stubborn like that.”
Rachel first started running by taking part in the occasional parkrun with her colleagues at Aberystwyth Students Union, where she worked after studying Drama and Theatre. She’s previously never ran further than 10K so this will be her biggest running challenge to date.
She said: “I signed up to take part and when the confirmation email came through, I thought ‘what have I done?’, but I’m really excited for race day now. My friends will be there cheering me on, and I’ll be calling my parents around the course to help me get through it.
“I’m from Cardiff and know the people are lush so I’m also looking forward to the atmosphere and encouragement from spectators. I know it will be a lot of fun.
“I’m so proud of myself and what I’m setting out to achieve. It’s like my two worlds are coming together as I have the physical traits of my mum, as she also has the same syndrome, and my dad used to run, and I have a picture of him with all his medals. Having that in my mind will motivate me to get to the finish line.”
Rachel is also using the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon as an opportunity to raise money for the Trinity Centre – an outreach project in her church which works with asylum seekers and refugees. Her youth group, Cardiff Methodist Circuit Youth Space, have already started helping to fundraise for the cause too.
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at event organisers Run 4 Wales, added: “Rachel’s determination and positive outlook is so inspiring and we can’t wait to cheer her around the course of this year’s Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon.”
The Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 5 October.
For more information visit here or to donate to Rachel’s fundraising page visit here.
