To accurately estimate the number of walks/runs that support various causes over the course of a year would be nearly impossible. Every year, tens of millions of people across the world participate in and/or contribute financially to this exact type of initiative. Not to diminish the value and importance of any, but there are only a handful where the completion of the actual walk is a significant accomplishment.

For Stacy Reason of Streetsville, the completion of her upcoming walk across Wales in the United Kingdom will be a monumental achievement, not only for the awareness and funds that will be raised, but for overcoming the effects of McArdle disease.

McArdle disease is an inherited deficit of myophosphorylase, the skeletal muscle isoform of the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase. As a result of a deficiency in myophosphorylase, people with McArdle disease are unable to gain this valuable energy from their muscle reserves. From birth, patients find it difficult to exert the energy required for physically demanding activities (PHE Class, exercising, chores), thus creating frustration and even a misconception that they are lazy. This is the motive behind those who are raising awareness for this disease.

Instead of giving in to her body's natural hindrance to exercise, Reason (who has the disease) will do the exact opposite later this summer in the Walk Over Wales for McArdle Disease. Event organizer Andrew Wakelin of Wales originally planned a quiet but challenging solo walk over the mountains of Wales, but he will now be joined by five others who have McArdle's, including Reason. From June 30 to August 2, the participants will walk from North Wales to South Wales – a total of 230 miles.

During the walk, Reason, Wakelin and others plan to make use of all the techniques they have developed over the years in dealing with McArdle's. For Reason, she may even learn a few more as she was diagnosed only three years ago despite being born with the disease. The walk is not just for the fittest among the group. "It is really important to show the world how some people are severely affected," stated Wakelin.

For Margaret Carter, another participant with McArdle disease, the first 100 yards will be her greatest challenge. Carter is collecting funds, and receiving as much (if not more) attention than most for her shorter, yet highly significant distance.

Raising awareness for McArdle disease so parents, doctors and phys-ed teachers are more empathetic and inclusive to this community is one of the most important messages Reason hopes to exhibit through the walk. However, educating patients about how to safely exercise while raising funds for the completion and distribution of an educational DVD are equally as important. The walkers plan to raise approximately 15,000 pounds sterling to produce the DVD, which would provide tips and tricks on how to cope with McArdle Disease "People with this disease can easily damage themselves by doing the wrong sort of activity," Reason said.

Presently, the average age of diagnosis is 30. Reason and her fellow McArdle community would like to see this average age lowered to 10. Bringing awareness to the schools and even to new families is a key component in lowering the age of diagnosis. Across the world, children in phys-ed classes and in parks with their friends are running, jumping and having fun through physical activity.

Thanks to people like Stacey Reason, our sensitivity to those who do not seem engaged in such activities may be heightened; thus opening our eyes to a medical condition that is often the underlying reason why many children are incorrectly labelled.