This disease has left me both severely physically and sensorally disabled much more than even I thought imaginable however the mind is still strong, at least for now! I am still a scientist first and foremost and luckily have had more than 15 years experience in both academia and industry across multiple disciplines from physics and experimental biophysics to working as a molecular and cellular biologist in America to surface chemistry, laser-based optical microscopy and microfluidics as part of my research PhD at Imperial College in London.

This unusual but very useful background has allowed me direct and indirect access to cutting age research techniques and methodologies not to mention some very smart and well-connected people! Having this unique combination can also be applied to neuro sarcoidosis research. The science and technology already exists to both find the cause and develop a cure for this debilitating and other related sarcoidosis diseases. We just need to focus our energies better for both funding research and public awareness. This is where the potentially game changing combination of you and BRAINNS come into play.

My neurologist has generously allowed me access to his 35 brain tissue samples. Through his connections at the Royal free and UCL and my connections at Imperial we potentially have both the expertise and facilities already available to do the cutting age research necessary. The goal is to get more official government funding in terms of approved research proposals as well as public funding for additional or preliminary testing on a few samples to optimise the various protocols and methods needed. Money will of course also go to raising public awareness through social media, newspaper adverts and journalist pieces.

I have leaned on my wife's shoulders far more often than a husband should and hopefully one day in the not too distant future she can lean on mine again, only this time without me falling over! THANK YOU.

Doug