Thank you for visiting our JustGiving page supporting the MND Association. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated - the current funds have been given from all who supported us at Dad’s funeral or sent directly to mam. We appreciate everything you have done to support us at this difficult time x

Dad’s story…

Roy began having slurred speech last October/November 2023 which coincided with dental surgery in his mouth. He had had some teeth removed and was waiting for another appointment from the dentist to have some more fitted. Mum and I had noticed a slight slurring but had thought it was the impact of the operation. One day he came to us panicked that he had had a stroke as he couldn’t get his words out. I took him to the GP who felt it wasn’t a stroke and asked him to make an appointment in a couple of weeks. By Christmas, Dad was difficult to understand and he was booked in for scans and tests with various departments at the hospital. The MRI came back with no evidence of stroke. By February half term, mum was extremely worried and asked me to go and spend some time with them at home. Dad had lost his speech and was finding it difficult to swallow liquids. The doctor had given him thickener for drinks which seemed to help. He was still eating meals - much slower but food was going down. He was still moving around the house ok and going up and down stairs to use the bathroom. Mum said he was complaining of neck pain and was displaying a rather stooped position in his posture. On 19th Feb, dad left the house for a SALT appointment and never came home. He was sent to A and E due to his swallowing and then admitted to hospital to investigate his symptoms. Dad was diagnosed with MND and spent eight weeks in hospital. He had a feeding tube to help prevent weight loss which seemed to cause chronic diarrhoea. In addition, he was allowed soup and other puréed foods. During March it was evident that dad didn’t want the feeding tube in and was reluctant to have the peg fitted. He had pulled the tube out quite a few times in frustration and communicated to us that it was not what he wanted. Consequently, dad’s weight plummeted quickly - 12 1/2 stone in Jan to 9 1/2 in April. Dad sadly passed away peacefully on the 15th April. The care he received was exceptional and we can not thank enough the medical team that looked after him. We could never have anticipated how cruel this disease could be.

If you can, please support this charity - we must help find a cure for those living with MND 💔 Thank you x