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We are ‘Team Natalie’ six family members who are walking in memory of a very special lady Natalie Pike who unfortunately passed away on 1st January this year and is our way to honor her life and the impact she had on those around her. By coming together to walk in her memory, we are not only paying tribute to her, but also showing support for her loved ones. Walking in her memory also serves as a way to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) which was so important to Natalie in her life, keeping her spirit alive through positive action and hopefully raising money for the Derby Rimmer Foundation.

Natalie was a massive Liverpool supporter and how ironic it is that the March of The Day finishes at Liverpool Football Club’s stadium Anfield. Thank you for your support James, Pauline, Sophie, Hannah, Jane & Evie

Y.N.W.A

NATALIE'S MND STORY

Everyone has heard of Stephen hawking he was that really clever physicist who was in a wheelchair. He couldn't move or speak but who actually knows why he was like that?! He had Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and so do I.

I hadn't really heard of MND or its devastating effect until July 2013. That was when my life changed forever. I was told that I had MND.

The doctors had ruled out other nerve problems by giving me an MRI scan and Electromyography tests (EMG) when a doctor electrocuted my muscles with probes to test the nerve impulses in my muscles. I could tell by his reaction that it wasn't good news.

The tests had taken just 2 weeks and the results were devastating. I had been given a life sentence and a death sentence in one go, just like that. My life as I knew it was over. How could it possibly be real? My symptoms had only been slight. I'd been twitching in my upper left arm (fasciculations) and my left hand had weakened slightly. I was going to body combat classes which were gruelling and I thought I was fit and healthy. I had been into sports and exercise all my life. I used to play football for Peterborough Ladies so how on earth could I suddenly be terminally ill with such a destructive disease?!

l was hysterical, terrified, shocked, I was basically In pieces. Up until that day I had been a fit and healthy mum of two who enjoyed exercise, socialising, shopping and being a normal mum. I was facing unthinkable difficulties and I was no longer healthy. I was broken and couldn't be fixed. I had been given a guarantee that I would become disabled!

MND is a progressive neurodegenerative illness which affects the nervous system. It attacks the motor neurones or nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Messages gradually stop reaching muscles which leads to weakness and wasting. It's a cruel, brutal illness and there is no cure or treatment but worst of all no hope.

I had no hope. This was real and it was happening to me and my family.

NATALIE PIKE

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