Lincoln woman who thought she'd never walk again running London Marathon

Complications from back surgery in 2009 left Donna Baxter with no feeling down her left side, she needed 13 operation to fix it

Author: Aaron RenfreePublished 3rd Oct 2021

A Lincoln woman who thought she'd never walk again is today taking on a monumental challenge.

Complications from back surgery in 2009 left Donna Baxter with no feeling down her left side.

She says she had to learn everything from scratch.

Donna Baxter in the RAF

“I thought ‘that’s it, this is me for life’ – I was only 29 years old.

"My life was just a constant cycle of surgery, physio, rehab, and then straight back to surgery.

"I could barely walk for years, every step was a struggle.”

After years of physio and rehab, she's now running the London Marathon to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society in memory of her mum.

Donna's mum, central, with her sister Sheila and brother in law Robert

“I thought I’d never walk again, now I’m running the London Marathon!

"I’m not doing it for me, I am doing it for everyone who is going through a diagnosis of MS, the families who have to support them and in memory of my mum.

“When I think about the last time I saw her, I wish I could have told her that I loved her, that I always would. I wish for the chance of that last conversation every day.”

Martin Mears, Head of Community and Events at the MS Society says Donna’s story is truly inspirational.

"We’re so proud of her and our entire team of London Marathon runners for taking on the challenge, and can’t wait to cheer them on as they run the iconic route on Sunday.

“Living with MS can be relentless painful and disabling, and we simply could not deliver our life-changing research, campaigning and services without the support of incredible people like Donna.”

You can donate here.

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