I have decided to take part in the Great North Run this coming September to help raise money for the Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Trust.

MSA is a rare neurodegenerative disease where multiple parts of the nervous system start shutting down over time. It effects a person’s movement which can mean they are unable to stand or complete tasks such as washing or eating without assistance from carers. It can also effect their respiratory system making sleeping difficult. MSA can also effect the mind, provoke mood swings, induce depression and the feeling of isolation. The effects of contracting the disease massively impact the patients life as well as their close family for years to come. This is why the MSA Trust is extremely important to help support families and raise awareness to the public about such a rare disease. 

In 2010 my Dad was diagnosed with the disease; suffering for 8 years until 2018 when he sadly passed away. As people living with MSA can often not return to their family home it makes it even more important for the patient to have a close support network with regular visits to keep them engaged socially and mentally. The onset of the disease was very rapid and came completely out of the blue; it took my dad and everyone around him by surprise. The symptoms of MSA very suddenly began taking their toll on his nervous system including: difficulty with movement making him wheelchair bound, slurred speech, difficulty speaking and memory loss. Sufferers with MSA are unable to survive without constant full time care due to the complexity of the disease. Respiratory equipment, on call nurses, doctors, specialist bed side equipment and the close support in several nursing homes were just a few of the crucial requirements my dad needed once MSA took hold.

At present the current cause of MSA is unknown and effects seem to effect people randomly which can make it harder to deal with. This is another reason why donating to charities like the MSA Trust is crucial to help fund their continual research and reach their end goal of eventually finding a cure. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my justgiving page in support of the MSA Trust; I hope that this has made you more aware of the disease and how you can help.