In May 2017 we welcomed to the world a beautiful baby boy - Cohen, a son for Jen and Stephen and a brother for Paige, not to mention a grandson and nephew.

A few weeks after Cohens birth, Jen started to display stroke like symptoms, weakness down her left side, a swinging left leg and her speech sounded like she had had a few too many!

After numerous visits to the hospital, from June-September 17, we were giving the devastating news that Jen was being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). After some research on MND it was discovered that MND is an uncommon condition that affects people in their 60’s/70’s. Jen is 33 years old.

For those that aren’t too sure what this life limiting disease is, see the link below:

What is MND?

Since the start of the year Jen‘s symptons are progressively getting worse, she has nearly lost the use of her left arm and hand, can not walk unaided, struggles immensly with stairs and her speech is deteriorating.

Not only has she had to deal with this, she still remains a mam to Paige (8) and Cohen (10 month). Unfortunately, due to Jen’s weakness, she can no longer carry or pick up Cohen, she can no longer bath Cohen or put him to bed as she cant lift him. At this stage Cohen is too young to understand.

This has had a big affect on Paige as Jen can no longer do the things she used to do with her.

There will come a time when Jen can no longer climb stairs. The living room will have to become a bedroom, while the utility room will have to convert to a wet room to keep Jens independence. Recently she had a disabilty grant turned down by the council on the grounds of age (still very young), lack of benefits recieved ( they have never had to rely on benefits due to two sucessful careers) and, i quote, ‘still having at least 30 years of working life so you can save up for the work’.

As parents, we are completely devastated by this outcome. To watch your daughter struggle with everyday basic tasks knowing there is no cure or treatment is heart breaking to watch.

The money that we are raising for Jen is to get the work done to her house, to give her more independence and to lead as much of a normal life as possible with husband Stephen, children Paige and Cohen and the rest of her family and friends.