by Alan Jacques
THREE Limerick sisters are running a half marathon in the UK next week to raise funds for local woman Zondra Meaney, who suffers from a rare connective tissue disorder known as Ehler Danlos Syndrome (EDS).
Originally from Woodlawn Park on the Ballysimon Road, Helena and Sue Enright live and work in Bath, while their other sister Brid is based in London. On March 13, the three Limerick ladies intend to come together to run the Bath Half Marathon to help raise much-needed funds for Zondra’s rare condition.
“There is no specialist treatment for EDS available in Ireland so her family and friends are trying to raise money to pay for her to receive costly treatment in London,” Helena, a well-known local playwright, explained.
“While there is no cure for EDS, treatment can lessen the impact of this debilitating condition on her so that she can lead some sort of normal life.”
Zondra was diagnosed in July 2013 with the progressive illness, which attacks every area of the body. To be treated by specialists for EDS in London, the young Dooradoyle mother needs to raise up to €50,000.
“Her health condition has deteriorated a lot since Christmas 2012. She has been living her life in and out of hospital and all the local hospitals and doctors can do for her is manage her pain with morphine. She is given nursing care at home with a pump through her stomach for fluids and takes 48 tablets a day and also uses oxygen, pain patches and morphine,” Miss Enright told the Limerick Post.
To do their bit, the three Limerick sisters have stepped out of their comfort zone and are now gearing up for next weekend’s Bath Half Marathon to help raise funds for Zondra.
“This is not what you expect the three of us to be doing! But we’ve been training hard over the last couple of months and we’ll be ready come March 13, hopefully. It would be really great if people spare a bob or two in support of this really deserving cause.”
To donate visit www.gofundme.com/enrightsisters.
