On 5th August 2017 we will be remembering my awesome brother Stuart Milner aka 'Stroke' 'Stubags' 'Grub' and more.. it will be ten years since he died and how could I resist joining the MND Association Merseyside branch and abseil down the enormous Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool! 

Every year on this anniversary we write his name in stones on top of the Big Orme in Llandudno, a tradition started by my daughter Paige - we have a picnic and a laugh. Paige was impacted greatly by the loss of her dear Uncle and is an incredible supporter of The Motor Neurone Disease Association. When I found out that my friend Peter Marrs had organised this event that happened to fall on this date I knew I had to take part. Mostly because I could be with my #MNDFamily and knowing that Stu would be laughing that I am even thinking about it!! 

My brother gave me all the lessons I needed to deal with MND by his side, he was funny generous and kind, Every day since he was diagnosed age 36 this disease has been on my mind like a non stop conveyor belt that moves through my thoughts and shapes everything I do. Which is why after two years of running away from the disease after he died  I then volunteers for five years and am now lucky enough to work for The Association with other volunteers in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Lancashire. 

When he lost use of his hands completely Stu often dictated letters and thoughts for me to write down and this is one that made us laugh and took hours and hours to get write  as his voice was very weak, when I think of those days I find it hard to accept there was so much laughter but there was, I am so grateful I was able to spend the last year with him as his carer with no regrets. 

At the time everyone we met called the illness a 'Journey' which amused him greatly so let me share his tongue in cheek words with you here:

• STU'S JOURNEY

I Don't want to call my illness a JOURNEY but MND is talked about so often as a JOURNEY by many people... So far my JOURNEY has been on minor roads and dusty tracks but on Tuesday 26 September 2006 I feel like my JOURNEY has started on the motorway

Everyone has their own mountains but when your mountain is Everest, everyone else's mountains are really just hills.

To be totally cliche, life is a JOURNEY and my JOURNEY really began in Cosford 1969. Really I've been down windy roads, past beautiful fields......Extraordinary scenery. Like everyone I've had to stop at the traffic lights....I've stalled...I've needed a push start....I've has some minor scrapes - Luckily!

I've seen some pretty bad crashes

I've driven mini's and porches, I've ridden in horse drawn carriages and limousines. I've travelled on trains, boats, planes and skis, I have driven on the left hand side of the road and the wrong way down a one way street.

I usually cut the corners off mini roundabouts.....

If I had my JOURNEY again I'd buy a big motorbike, shave my head bald, grow a long beard, get lots of tattoos and piercings and have the words "Born To Ride" across my chest.

However no regrets hey!

*all words are my own and in no way represent The MND Association*