🌈 “I Saw Rainbows and Forgot I Was a Mum” 🌈
Meet Clare Smerdon, a mum from Torquay whose world spun upside down when she started seeing rainbow patterns. What she thought were innocuous flashes turned out to be signs of a serious condition — a grade 4 astrocytoma, an aggressive brain tumour discovered shortly after her son Teddy’s first birthday.
At 37, Clare faced the grim reality that she might not see Teddy grow up. While awaiting surgery, the tumour played tricks with her mind, making her forget her identity as a mum. “It felt like I was losing myself,” Clare recalls. But the surgery and subsequent treatments didn’t just fight the tumour; they gave Clare a second chance. Fast forward, and she’s celebrating a milestone she once feared missing — Teddy’s first day at school! 🏫
In Clare’s words: “I didn’t think I’d be alive to see this day. It’s a huge milestone, and I feel blessed to be here, although I know others might not get the same chance.”
Despite the joy, the battle isn’t over. A recent scan revealed limited time left, but Clare isn’t backing down. She’s joining forces with Brain Tumour Research and participating in the Walk of Hope this September to raise funds and awareness. Clare highlights the need for more funding and support for brain tumour research. “We need better treatments and ultimately a cure,” she urges.
Let’s support Clare and many like her who continue to fight bravely not just for themselves, but for future generations. If you’d like to support the cause, consider donating to Clare’s JustGiving page for Brain Tumour Research. Let’s hope for brighter tomorrows. 🌟 #WalkOfHope #BrainTumourAwareness #MumLifeAppendingHope
📷: Brain Tumour Research/SWNS