Too often we see these "inspiring" stories about people who've done this that or the other despite having cancer or some other condition. What doesn't get pointed out is that these people are, generally, doing something which pushes them, but which they enjoy. When you have depression, or some other mental illnesses, that sense of enjoyment of life, things in general, isn't there: that's part of the illness.
In these "inspiring" stories, people may be doing something for others, like raising money, but they're also getting something out of it themselves. The fact that they're ill has opened up opportunities to do something they've always wanted to do, or have always enjoyed. That's not to say that I'm dismissing what they do, but if you have depression, you forget what it feels like to enjoy something, you have problems finding motivation. Sometimes it takes more effort to just get out of bed and face the world than it does to run a marathon. Unfortunately, no-one's going to sponsor you so you can raise money for a charity by getting up each day, or wearing clean clothes.:depressed::sleepy::shower::toothbrush::clap: