Woman beats immobility by trekking 1066 Way to Battle

A woman who was unable to walk following severe asthma attacks walked the entire 1066 Way to Battle route on Sunday (October 16).
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Oct 2016, 13:32 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2016, 16:39 BST

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Lorraine OakmanLorraine Oakman
Lorraine Oakman

Lorraine Oakman, 43, had a major asthma attack on May 7 at home and had to be readmitted to hospital two days later after suffering another one.

This left her unable to walk from one end of the hospital room to another without triggering another attack and having to go on a nebuliser.

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Lorraine was one of 1,066 people who took part in Sunday’s event, completing it in five hours, 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

The receptionist, who recently moved to Maidstone in Kent, said: “It was quite emotional for me after I completed the route. There were a few tears of happiness over the realisation of how far I have come from since May.

“I had the first major asthma attack on May 7. My breathing was so bad I couldn’t even make it to the bathroom from the bed in hospital without triggering another attack and having to be placed on a nebuliser.

“Two days later I drove myself to the GP’s surgery. My inhalers were not working and I started to deteriorate. The surgery called for an ambulance and I was readmitted.

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“I had had a chest infection that weekend when there was a pollution and dust cloud over the south east so my body’s system couldn’t cope with it.”

Lorraine walked her first half-mile on May 19 as part of her recovery but kept on having to stop through feeling weak. She added: “I had already entered to take part in the 1066 Way to Battle race and was training for it two weeks before the asthma attacks, having run 10 miles.

“I knew it was unlikely I would be able to run it following the asthma attacks so I contacted the race directors, who said I could walk it.

Lorraine took part in Sunday’s event in aid of Asthma UK. The amount raised has yet to be totalled up.

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