For those that don't know, this is my story...

I am 26 and have a muscle wasting condition, Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  My parents have been supporting the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (JTSMA) my whole life since I was diagnosed at the age of 2.  I use an electric wheelchair to get around and work as a secondary school maths teacher.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular condition causing weakness of the muscles, and kills more babies than any other genetic disease. The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the only national charity in the UK dedicated both to supporting people affected by SMA, and investing in essential research into causes, treatments and eventually a cure for the condition.

Last year my parents went on holiday to Majorca - they were going to visit some friends and also to look at disabled access and whether it would be possible or not for me to travel there with them both at a later stage.  I dropped them at the airport, giving them each a big hug and telling them that I loved them.  I didnt know that it would be the last time I would ever see my Dad - 3 days later my Mum returned from Majorca to break the devastating news to me that my Dad had passed away from acute cardiac failure.  He wasn't ill and barely ever even had a cold.  It was the biggest shock of my life.

Since this happened, last March, my life has changed completely.  But I want to turn a nightmare into something positive.  My whole life I have always talked about doing a parachute jump, and now I have a reason to.  So I am asking you all, please, in memory of my dear Dad (Roy Collins), to sponsor me to jump out of an aeroplane and do a skydive on the 21st March 2010 to commemorate the one year anniversary.

Perhaps my poem will help you understand...

A man who went beyond most others,

One who really cared,
Whether his friends or my mates,

He would always be there.

No day too hard,
No time too late,
Because in Roy's diary,
There was never a date.

De-freezing my neighbours car,
Changing my friends tyre,
Unclogging my drain system,
Or chauffeuring at desire.

They went abroad to look at access,
To see if I could travel too,
To visit our friends in Majorca,
None of us had a clue.

I dropped them at the airport,
And said my goodbyes,
Whispering 'I love you' in his ear,
How lucky am I.

The last words we exchanged,
Without knowing what lay ahead,
I'll be forever grateful,
That those were the last words I said.

It may be a cliché,
But it's so true,
The best dad in the world,
I just hope he knew.

I may have achieved a lot,
Though the struggle I had,
But I wouldn't be where I am today,
Without my mum and dad.

I want others to know,
Don't have any regrets,
Tell your loved ones you love them,
And never let them forget.

Thank you.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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