EVEN as a young child Darren Gibson knew there was something wrong with his health – but it wasn't until five years ago that the 41-year-old Brighouse man was given a diagnosis.
It was almost a relief to Darren to be told that he was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart muscle to enlarge and pump less strongly. For years he had been experiencing extreme fatigue and weakness and at one poin
t he was told he may have been suffering from ME.
“Even as a boy I realised that all was not well. I liked sport but I had no stamina. I was a good goalkeeper but when it came to doing the training runs, I just couldn’t manage. I had the feeling I was going to collapse.
“It was as if I was putting in 100 per cent effort but not getting 100 per cent back from my body. My gran used to tell me to hurry up and get a move on but I just couldn’t,” said Darren.
Darren worked as a lorry driver and transport manager and tried to carry on as normal because he was worried about losing his job but now, on doctors’ instructions, he has been advised to stop working. He lives with his partner Steph Greenwood, aged 29, of Halifax Road, Hove Edge, who recently undertook a sponsored abseil on behalf of the Cardiomyopathy Association.
“To look at me you wouldn’t believe there was anything wrong and it bothers me that people think I’m not pulling my weight. At the supermarket Steph has to carry the bags because I can’t and it must look strange that I’m letting her do it.
“I am still not able to work but I can do odd light jobs about the house and in the garden that don’t involve me lifting my arms.”
In December 2007 Darren’s condition deterioriated sharply and he became seriously ill. “I honestly didn’t think I would make it through Christmas. I couldn’t lie down to go to sleep because I couldn’t breathe. It was a horrible feeling and very frightening.”
Just over a year ago Darren had an internal defibrillator fitted. The device helps to keep his heart in a normal rhythm and shocks it if a dangerous rhythm develops.
“I try to look after myself. I can’t take a lot of exercise but I try to eat the right foods and not put on too much weight. They are making medical advances all the time and I know they are working on a new pump for the heart which has a lot of potential.”
Darren and Steph met when they worked together at Hudson Shepherd in Brighouse and have been together for 12 years. Darren’s 20-year-old son Ashley and his mum Glenda are a strong source of support.
For Steph, the opportunity to take part in the 60-metre zip slide from the top of Baitings Dam in Ripponden was too good to miss.
Fifteen friends and family members supported her on the day and she hopes to have raised £600.
“Last year I went to see one of Darren’s friends abseiling off the dam and I thought I wouldn’t mind having a go. It was a brilliant hot day and I was the first person to go down after the official photographer.
