Walk in aid of Rochdale woman’s ‘super allergic’ daughter

A woman from Rochdale is walking to raise money for charity in aid of her daughter, who has extreme allergies.

Bernadette Parker, along with a team of twenty others is walking to raise money, in aid of her daughter Stacey, who suffers from a little understood condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

MCAS sufferers’ immune systems become hyper sensitive and they react to all sort of normal things, often with a very limited diet and unable to go out much as they are sensitive to environmental triggers.

Bernadette and the team, supported by Stacey, are taking part in an event called 500 Legs and will be walking around Hollingworth Lake on 20 October 2018 to raise awareness of the condition whilst raising money for charity called Mast Cell Action that supports people with Mast Cell Diseases.             

Two and a half years ago, Stacey was well and working, ran her own home and had a good job.

Following a suspected ear infection and prescription antibiotics, her lips and tongue swelled up. A few weeks later after a B12 injection, she woke up with an intensely itchy face and red raw chest and arms.

After large doses of antihistamines and steroids, she was told it was a reaction to the medication.

Stacey then began to react to all kinds of things, initially with itchy feet and legs. Each time she tried to scratch, she became covered in rashes and was received very little sleep for six weeks.

A change in her medication saw her experience an anaphylaxis-like episode, admitting her to hospital before spending weeks taking steroids and antihistamines to try and control her symptoms.

Since then, Stacey has had reactions to the scent of oranges, bleach and perfume amongst other items, triggering all sorts of symptoms, such as flushing, itching, swelling, mouth ulcers, extreme fatigue, joint pains and breathlessness.

Fortunately, Stacey found a private doctor that could join all the dots for her peculiar symptoms.

Based on her unusual but characteristic symptoms, presentation and positive test results, she was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome – a relief, as she knew what she was dealing with.

Stacey is on a range of medication that help with her symptoms, but she still has a very poor quality of life.

Stacey said: “Unfortunately, at age 30 due to my situation I have now been medically retired from work and have had to sell my lovely home and move back to my parents'.

“I struggle walking even small amounts and regularly rely on a wheelchair.”

To donate, visit:

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/bernadetteparker1