08/10/10………Teacher battles arthritis for Great North Run triumph

THAME primary school teacher, Fiona Dyer of St Joseph?s Catholic Primary School, has shown her true grit and determination by achieving one of her lifetime dreams by completing the recent Great North Run.

What is remarkable about this achievement is that whilst at University, Fiona was told that she would be crippled and in a wheelchair by the age of 30 because of her arthritic condition.

Wanting to demonstrate that if you follow your dreams anything is achievable, Fiona asked her consultant at Stoke Mandeville if her body was up to the run. Her consultant said knowing Fiona?s personality, anything was possible and she was a great inspiration to us all; the consultant was also inspired to train and run with her.

?The experience was truly amazing, almost overwhelming,” said Fiona. “The race had a great atmosphere and the support from spectators and fellow runners was fantastic.”

At times the race was difficult but Fiona remembered how the children at St Joseph’s had arranged a special assembly in her honor singing Chariots of Fire!

?Determination is what makes me the person I am,” she continued. “We can all achieve our dreams if we try.?

So far, over