Thanks for visiting our page, please take a few minutes to see why Brad and I have been motivated to get fit and climb the highest freestanding mountain in the world. Brad and I will be completing an 8 day climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2009 WHICH WE ARE SELF FUNDING and we would very much appreciate your support. We are raising funds for the Sarah Matheson Trust (SMT) and all money raised goes direct to the charity.
About My Mum Janet: My Mum is 64 years of age, the most wonderful mother and best friend you could wish for. Every one who knows her will understand what I mean when I say she is a ray of sunshine when she walks into a room. She is very beautiful, extremely special and despite her illness she is still great fun and never complains about anything even when she has so much she could complain about. She still always puts others first and is so kind in every-way. She was diagnosed 4 years ago with MSA, her condition is very hard to deal with for herself, family and friends. The rapid progression of the disorder has resulted in her needing a full time carer, which is my Dad Paul. He he does the most amazing job, which is very hard for him, it is very demanding as my mum is now no longer able to do many things, but watching your wife of 45 years deteriorate with such an un-kind illness is very difficult. He never complains, being a full time carer, looking after a house, lack of sleep due to her illness and not being well your-self is difficult but he still looks after my mum very well and does a fantastic job.
About Multiple System Atrophy: MSA is a progressive neurological disorder that affects adult men and women. MSA is a degeneration of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. This cell degeneration causes problems with movement, balance and automatic functions of the body such as bladder control.
MSA stands for,
Multiple-Many,
System-Brain structures that control different functions
Atrophy-cell shrinkage or damage.
This means that cells are damaged in different areas of the brain that control body functions, my Mum suffers with not being able to walk or write, slurred speech, no bladder control, unable to balance without support, restless sleep, swallowing and breathing problems. MSA affects Currently 5 per 100,000 people in the UK.
About Sarah Matheson Trust: Dealing with the illness has been made a lot easier through the support of the SMT( sarah matheson trust). Sarah Matheson was diagnosed with MSA in 1993 and was fortunate from the outset to be under the care of specialists who recognized the symptoms and monitored her condition carefully. However Sarah was dismayed at the lack of readily available information about MSA. Sarah felt it affected her ability to understand the disorder and sometimes felt isolated because of the general ignorance about the condition. After much thought and discussion she decided the best way forward was to create a support group. In 1997 the Sarah Matheson Trust became a registered charity. The trust was formed to help people living with and caring for Multiple System Atrophy.
MSA is a rare progressive and life-shortening condition, for which there is yet no cure. MSA has an enormous impact on those with the condition and their carers.
The Trust works to alleviate the isolation and the lack of information these families face. For more information on the Sarah Matheson Trust and MSA can be found at www.msaweb.co.uk. Donating through just giving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to support the Sarah Matheson Trust for Multiple System Atrophy, if you're a UK taxpayer, just giving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. So please sponsor us now!
We are really excited about the climb, we have set out a strict training regime of long walks over the coming months before we leave on the 16th September to ensure we both make it to the summit. We will keep you all up dated with our progress over the coming months and we thank you for your generosity and support.
Love
Brad & Charlie Sadly our dog Saffy cant come. woof woof