During the middle of June 2023 my dad was suffering with recurrent chest infections, shortness of breath and slurring of speech. After having courses of antibiotics our GP referred him to our local A&E department, who, after some tests, thought he may have a blood clot on his lung. He was given blood thinning medication and we was asked to return the next day for a CT scan. When we got home myself, my mum and my brother thought that it was possible that he may have had a stroke due to the slurring of speech and other syptoms that we had thought of that had developed and listed. The next day we spoke to the medical doctor who ordered a head and chest CT which showed no signs of stroke or blood clots. When my dad was examined by the medical consultant, who asked him to do some balancing exercises and taking into account the other symptoms we had written down, referred him to neurology services to be seen ASAP and he was also referred to have an EMG nerve conduction test and an MRI which were done.

On the 28th of July 2023 we recieved the devastating news that my dad has motor neurones disease. My way to cope with this was to start running which no one in a million years, including myself, thought I would/could do. I started using the Couch to 5K app and I am now training to run 10K using Nike Run Club.

From this diagnosis my dad has been referred to and seen by many healthcare professionals including motor neurone disease association, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, rehab medicine, speech and language, assisted living, dieticians, respiratory specialists, assistive technology, hospice nurses and MND specialist doctors and nurses. These professionals have been amazing in providing aids and supporting my dad and my family through this time. By raising money for the MND Association it will continue to allow them to focus on continuing these services, improving access to care, research in finding a cure and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Currently there is a medication for motor neurones disease called Riluzole but the limited results of this suggest a short term effect but there is no known cure. My family and I are living day by day and making the most of what we have but by sponsoring me your money will help all people affected by Motor Neurone Disease. Once you donate, JustGiving will send your money directly to the MND Association. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure, your details are safe - they'll never sell them or send unwanted emails. Myself and my family appreciate all that you can donate and if you cannot donate then please share my page so that we can hopefully, one day, find a cure.

Sadly, on the 21st June 2024, my Dad passed away. Just shy of 11 months after diagnosis.