Lynnette Dickinson was just 38 when told by doctors that she had multiple sclerosis, an auto-immune disease without a known cure.
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Within two years Ms Dickinson was left without the use of her limbs and dependent on a manual wheelchair "I couldn't use my arms and my legs and I was being bathed every day, that was pretty tough, I was on antidepressants," Ms Dickinson said.
Fast forward twelve years and Ms Dickinson will be found in Mid-October participating in CARE Australia's 'Walk in Her Shoes' campaign, walking fifty kilometres in two weeks to support clean water initiatives for women in under-developed countries.
Ms Dickinson believes the cause for her incredible progress can be traced to taking on a yoga instructor course after being given an electric wheelchair, which enabled her to move around freely after years of being physically confined by her body.
"Nine months later (from starting yoga instructing training) I gave my wheelchair back and haven't needed it again."
Now a fully qualified yoga instructor, Ms Dickinson hopes to use her experience to help those that are suffering from similar experiences.
"In 2007 I started yoga teaching training so that I could learn to live in peace in meditation and share that with other people."
Ms Dickinson has repurposed her life to helping those struggling with mental and physical disabilities and those less fortunate, which was motivation enough to take up the 'Walk in Her Shoes' challenge.
"I have a client who spent a lot of time in Jamaica with her young children, she spent every day carrying water on her head, when she could have been looking after her beautiful boys and she now has long term spinal problems, as consequence of spending all that time with water on her head."
CARE Australia Spokesperson Nerida Williams believes that people like Lynnette Dickinson and the two thousand others who have signed up for the 'Walk in Her Shoes' campaign will make a difference in the poorest communities around the world.
"Money raised through Walk in Her Shoes will support CARE Australia and programs which reduce the distance women and girls have to walk by providing clean water and nutritious food close to home. This means girls can spend more time in school, women can earn an income and together they can help their communities flourish."
Over $100,000 has been raised so far, with the event beginning on October 10th and will run until the 23rd of October.
