Mum and I are taking on the challenge of trekking up Ben Nevis in June 2017 to raise money for the PSP Association. (What is that we hear you cry!)

We had never heard of the PSP Association either until earlier this year, when Dad was diagnosed with Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), a thankfully rare, but as yet incurable, degenerative brain condition.  It limits Dad's ability to talk, to walk, to grip, to swallow - we try not to focus on what's happening, though it can be hard at times.  "Live in the Moment" is one of our many family mottos.

Through it all, Dad treks on, one foot in front of the other, over life's boulders.  But without the PSP Association, the boulders would have been bigger, the trek that bit steeper and the journey a lot more lonely.

The PSP Association offers support and information to people living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).  It also funds research into treatments and it's hoped a cure can ultimately be found for both conditions.  It's thanks to the PSP Association that Mum and Dad have been given good practical advice and support in how to deal with Dad's condition.  Their support worker keeps in touch with them over the phone and they value that greatly.  It's thanks to the support worker that they heard about a medical toilet which will benefit Dad greatly. Its about to be installed in their bathroom - which is currently being transformed into a wet room. 

And so Mum and I have decided we'd like to give something back to the PSP Association! CBD is currently very hard to diagnose, it took several years and several misdiagnoses, before we finally got the diagnosis of CBD.  However, progress in research is slowly being made.  As a result of an awareness event at Holyrood last year, a new research fellowship was created in Scotland, jointly funded by the PSP Association and the Scottish Chief Scientist Office.  Neurology registrar Dr Diane Swallow will spend three years based at Aberdeen University investigating the issues surrounding diagnosis and care for people with PSP and CBD across Scotland.

Our trek up Ben Nevis is nothing in comparison to the mountains that those with CBD or PSP climb, but Ben Nevis watch out! Andy's Angel's (AKA mum and I!) are coming for you!

We hope that by sharing our story with you, we will raise awareness of CBD, PSP and the fantastic work of the PSP Association.  Please like and share our page to share our story and spread the word.

If you would like to make a donation, we would be very touched!

Fiona and Lib

xx

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