Triathlon challenge for man who has had 29 brain operations

Mar 27 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A 29-YEAR-OLD who has had 29 operations on his brain since the age of six is completing a triathlon to raise £60,000 for the hospital which saved his life.

Simon Lannon, now an architectural technician who lives in the city centre, suffers from hydrocephalus, a birth defect which means fluid does not drain away from his brain.

Over the last 23 years he has had a titanium valve fitted in head, along with several shunts, that help drain this fluid away.

Every morning he suffers from chronic headaches and has spent a huge amount of time at The Walton Centre in Fazakerley, having various operations to ease the pain and pressure on his brain.

Simon will have to continue having surgery throughout his life, but is completing the triathlon to show it is possible to lead a fulfilled life and to thank those who have helped him.

He said: “I first had trouble at the age of three, when doctors found a cyst.

“By the age of six it started to cause problems and they fitted the first shunt in my head, which drains the fluid into the abdomen.

“From that point on I have been in and out of hospital all my life, what could go wrong did and the doctors and nurses at The Walton Centre worked tirelessly to help me.”

Simon was last operated on in November 2006, when his pressure headaches started to become unbearable again because one shunt failed.

But he says the experience has meant he is determined to succeed in everything he does: “It was hard growing up, I could not settle to a group of friends in school because I was always in hospital but I am now my own person.

“I would not change anything, because now if I set my mind to do something, I will do it.

“Sometimes it takes me longer than planned but I will reach the goal and this is why I know this triathlon will happen.

“My training is going really well and I see it as a thank you to all the people who have helped me and as encouragement to other people with the condition.

“My family think the aim is a bit excessive but they know what I am like and have been so supportive.

“Whenever I was in hospital somebody would be there when I woke up.”

Simon will be completing his triathlon at Greens Health and Fitness Centre on Riverside Drive on May 24 and would like people come to the gym to cheer him on.

He is currently looking for sponsorship and a venue to hold a post triathlon presentation evening.

He can be contacted at triathlon4walton@btinternet.com. The Walton Centre can also be contacted directly on 0151 525 3611 by interested sponsors.

lizawilliams