Rob was diagnosed in the late 1990's with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He was 30 years old.

For those that dont know what MS is, it is a degenerative condition that affects the brain and nervous system eventually rendering the sufferer paralysed, speechless, unable to eat or drink, unable to communicate... unable to do pretty much anything. One becomes eventually 'locked-in', the mind is still sharp but the body no longer responds...

As the condition suggests, it is progressive; slow, painful, exhausting, not just for the sufferer but also heartbreaking for the family.

Rob now has no movement from the neck down. He can no longer eat or drink and has to be fed through a peg in his stomach. He has a catheter for urine and a cholostomy bag. Breathing is becoming more difficult and he suffers from bouts of pneumonia - or as Rob calls it, Pughmonia. On occasions he is walked in his wheelchair around the grounds of his care home by the fantastic staff who cater for Robs every need. The only way we can communicate with Rob is through his eyes.

With help and support from a company called Inclusive Technology we aim to provide Rob with the support to give him back some of the independence he has lacked with this crippling condition. Through 'eye-gaze technology' he will get a voice to enable him to speak. He will be able to watch whatever he wants, whenever he wants through streaming internet services we take for granted. He will have access to social media. He can use a mobile phone.

We dont know how long Robert has before the MS renders his body completely useless but if we can give him back some way of talking while he can still move his eyes, then I'd like to think we made a difference.

Through your very kind and generous donations we aim to get Rob this equipment installed within 7 days of reaching our goal.

Thank you all very much.