A COURAGEOUS family with a debilitating medical condition are participating in a fun run even though there is a real danger of “dislocation” whilst running.

Three generations of the Matthews family – ranging from two-year-old Celyn to her 46-year-old grandmother – all suffer with a condition known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a disease which can causes substantial aches and pain and extremely fragile joints.

Although many EDS patients lead full and active lives, the syndrome can lead to physical disability and some rarer types can be life limiting.

It is commonly considered there is a lack of knowledge about EDS in the medical profession and is therefore often misdiagnosed or overlooked.

Amanda Matthews will be joined by her children Maddy, Euan, Tash as well as her granddaughter Celyn Matthews Williams as they partake in a 5km big fun run in Birmingham this September, raising money and awareness for Ehlers-Danlos Support UK.

The 46-year-old, who has lived in Dyffryn Ardudwy for the last 20 years with her family, is apprehensive about the race, but excited to raise the profile of a lesser-known medical complication.

She said: “Although it is only 5km, it is going to feel like a marathon to us. If we complete it without a dislocation it will be a huge victory."

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