A Lincolnshire man taking part in the London Marathon today will live stream his entire journey
Joe Ramsden, from Woodhall Spa, was left unable to walk, see and had to re-learn how to use his whole left arm after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis
A man from Woodhall Spa who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 3 years ago is taking on the London Marathon today - and live streaming his journey.
Three years ago, on the exact date that this year’s Marathon takes place, Joe was admitted to hospital for the first of many times. Unable to walk, see and uncontrollably vomiting at every attempt to open his eyes, he had no idea what was happening and, worse, nor did the doctors.
Unbeknownst to him this was the first of 4 MS relapses he would suffer. He was in and out of hospital all over the country over the next 3 months, with relapses hitting his body and brain with more severity each time. During the last one he suffered he lost the feeling and full use of his left arm and hand. He was told it was not guaranteed that he would ever get the use of his arm back.
"So the journey with MS happened very suddenly. I was at work when it all began, on a job, minding my own business, and then it all kind of hit me. I was seeing double of everything, struggling to walk, and it all really happened very, very instantly.
"It was then weeks and months of hospital visits, ambulance visits and I was very, very sick. But through the work of unbelievable medical care, the NHS rehabilitations, I had to actually teach myself to learn to use my arm again, which at 30 years old isn't something you'd usually expect to do."
Joe was rushed onto the best medication that the UK could offer, and luckily it changed everything. Along with rehab on his arm, he thankfully made a full recovery.
In December 2023, Joe’s MS status changed and he is currently at a high risk of a life threatening brain infection called PML. His doctors and nurses are doing all they can to change his medication to minimise the risk, but his MS journey continues.
Had it not been for the research into MS and the support network around him, Joe would never have got to where he is today. He set himself the goal of doing all he could to raise money and awareness for people who will find themselves in a similar situation to him both physically and mentally, and an idea was born.
"I've always had this idea in my head since going through that, and I've always thought it's really interesting to see what people have gone through in life, and whether there's a way to show that and show what someone goes through during a hard time.
"Ideally I'd love people to see what it looks like when you overcome those things, because we all go through things and overcome them. I thought we've got to do something to try and break this mould of shying away from how we feel when we're having a rough time, feeling like that's a disadvantage to us, and it's something that we can't reference or talk about or even show what it looks like when you're having a bad time. So I thought, I've got to find a way of openly being like I'm going to, I'm going to show people what it looks like when you have a tough time and I'll be that example."
He wanted to find a way to show the world exactly what it looks like when someone goes through physical and mental trauma and hopefully find a way to share the journey to overcome it.
Running a marathon is commonly known as one of the hardest things someone can put their body and mind through.
Joe, with a background in film and advertising, came up with a concept and design to run the London Marathon and stream the whole thing LIVE so that people at home could watch exactly what he goes through every step of the way.
The idea has since grown to include something that has never been achieved before; the race will be broadcast LIVE online using a 360° camera. This means that not only can a viewer at home watch what Joe goes through, but they can even control the view themselves and witness what it is like to be right in the middle of the race.
This offers a chance for physically unable bodies (disabled, old age, handicapped etc) to witness running the marathon through the eyes of a participant and soak up the unspeakable atmosphere that could only be experienced before by actually running the race.
“I am so lucky to have the support from a large amount of people for the camera set up, the streaming service and even the clothing I will wear on the day. In a world of social media, I am one of the little guys, but I am determined to show that the little guys can still make a hell of a lot of difference.”
To get from idea to race day Joe has:
- Run over 500km in training
- Raised over £3000 for his charities
- Designed and created the first running rig of its kind
- Lost over 6kg to be as fit as he can be for the race
- Gained over 1000 followers on all social media
The first ever live stream will be available on Youtube. To see more about Joe, use the link below: