RainbowYOUTH’s new Co-Chairperson, Amanda Parkinson, will be running in this year’s ASB Auckland Marathon putting herself and her health to the test. Diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis less than six months ago, Parkinson will be fundraising for the youth support and advocacy organisation, running 12kms with her fiancée Tash. Crippled with chronic pain, Parkinson battled misdiagnoses for five months - including cancer - was admitted to hospital five times and underwent two surgeries, before doctors finally reached a correct diagnosis. Devastated by the news the disease has penetrated her uterus, unable to be fixed by surgery and told the chronic pain will never go away, Parkinson will most likely be unable to have children, sport is said to aggravate the condition. When the opportunity to fundraise for RainbowYOUTH by competing in the 2015 ASB Auckland Marathon came around, it “seemed apt” for Amanda to sign up. She explains, “I had always had really painful periods, in Australia I was admitted to hospital countless times, saw heaps of specialists but throughout all of that time I had so much misguided medical advice because of my sexuality. Doctors told me I didn't need pap smears because I apparently didn't have penetrative sex.... at no time did anyone ask me about my sexuality, they just made assumptions,” she says. “The reality is when you are laying in a hospital bed, dosed up on morphine, feeling completely vulnerable, you rely on the professionals around you to make the best assessment and keep you feeling safe.” Parkinson has been supported by her fiancée Tash throughout these testing times and will continue to have her support on the day when they each run 12kms in the marathon. Tash says “I have learnt a lot over the last year about resilience and this will be a great personal test of that. In some ways Amanda and I have already run a marathon in the time we have been together...This for me will be a really positive way to finish that challenging chapter of our lives.” To support Amanda and Tash you can donate here and follow their journey on instagram. Amanda’s instagram: @ranga_fit and Tash’s instagram: @tturner_07
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 22nd October 2015 - 10:16am