Nine year-old Adam is taking part in the Junior & Mini event at this year’s
When Adam Othman-Turner was just 15 months old, he was admitted to Bristol Children’s Hospital after becoming very unwell with tuberculous pneumonia (TBC).
After he didn’t respond to treatment as well as the doctors had hoped, the hospital carried out a series of tests that discovered he’d been born with a rare immunodeficiency called Brutons – a condition that means his body does not produce any immunoglobulin, leaving him open to infection.
Thanks to the immunoglobulin infusions he receives every two weeks – administered by his mother at home – Adam has been living a fit and healthy life, enjoying football, martial arts and running. However, last year he began suffering from repeated chest infections that resulted in more care from the Bristol Children’s Hospital, including two surgeries. At this point he was diagnosed with bronchiectasis, which means the airways of the lungs become widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection.
Adam now needs daily nebulisers, physiotherapy and lots of activity to reduce the chance of mucus building back up on his chest.
Despite the challenges he’s faced, he will be taking part in the first ever AJ Bell Great Bristol Junior Run on Saturday 10 May – a few days after his ninth birthday.
“I’m so proud of Adam,” says his mother Charlene. “His conditions will be lifelong, but thanks to the incredible specialists at Bristol Children’s Hospital, he is able to live a healthy and active life and to help others. From his hospital bed, he decided he wanted to give back – and now he’s running the AJ Bell Great Bristol Junior Run to raise funds for Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal and help other children and their families.”
To practice, Adam has been running 3km a couple of times a week.
“He’s been a true champion recovering from surgery, embracing his antibiotics, physio and nebulisers,” adds Charlene.
“Being active will be key to his long term lung health and he can’t wait to get back to the sports he loves. To say he is sport mad is an understatement!
“Adam, we are in awe of your strength, courage and kindness. You are truly unstoppable.”
Held in partnership with Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the dedicated charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital, the new Junior and Mini event at the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run will see Juniors (aged 9-15 years) take on a 2.5k course, while Mini runners (3-8 years old) can enjoy a 1.5k event.
To enter the Junior & Mini event visit: www.greatrun.org/events/junior-mini-great-bristol-run
Mini entrants must run with a parent or carer, while junior entrants do not need to be accompanied by an adult. To support Adam visit: https://grandappeal.enthuse.com/pf/adam-othman–turner
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