London Man Walks 15.5 Miles to Raise Awareness After Brain Tumour Initially Mistaken for Ear Infection
LONDON – david Dingley, a London resident, recently completed a 15.5-mile walk across 16 of the city’s iconic bridges to raise over £3,400 for Brain Tumour Research, spurred by his own unexpected diagnosis. What began as concern over a persistent ear issue ultimately revealed a brain tumour,highlighting the challenges in detecting these often-silent conditions.
Dingley’s initial symptoms were dismissed as an ear infection, a common misdiagnosis that underscores how brain tumour symptoms can be masked by more familiar ailments.”I would never have known I had a brain tumour. I still feel perfectly fine,” he stated. Driven to make a difference, Dingley asked himself, “My thinking was this: given I’ve got this thing can I do something constructive?” and decided to channel his experience into fundraising and awareness.
On September 13th, Dingley participated in the Thames Bridge Trek, walking across London’s landmarks to support vital research. He emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself in healthcare,noting,”Since my diagnosis,I’ve met so many others who’ve either experienced or lost someone to brain cancer. They are often told their symptoms are stress or migraines until something truly serious occurs.”
While acknowledging the good intentions of medical professionals involved in his initial care, Dingley suggests, “people need to be politely insistent” if they have lingering health concerns. He recognizes that his tumour may eventually cause problems, but feels fortunate to have received a diagnosis allowing him to proactively address his health.
