My wife Sam Whittaker was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in June 2023. She had a form of MND called bulbar onset which means that she is unable to speak or swallow and she communicates through writing. Following her diagnosis Sam started writing poetry and she published a book of her poems called Standing Tall in October 2024. This collection of Sam's poems reflects the emotional rollercoaster journey she has been through and reveals the intense challenges that she has experienced.

The first part of the book includes an introduction by Sam together with 16 of her poems. In the second part the reader will find a series of images that were produced by Sam and our family in art therapy sessions with the art therapist Adam Levene.

All profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the MND Association. The MND Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. By sponsoring Sam your money will help people affected by Motor Neurone Disease. The book can be ordered via the link below from Amazon and it can also be ordered from other leading booksellers. Any additional donations to the charity can be made on this page.

Sam passed away on 8th April 2025, she was a warrior to the end.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Standing-Tall-Living-Neurone-Disease/dp/1068766549/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29SQREUIA9AHR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KkIDu9OBU7WWbe_VMupNZE4M2BiDyI1dR-KhTJXRznnv8VjuJW2gvwLdEH5mL6Zqq9_oKGky7zb8LpFVGVsu1g.toV9HLgZ67larehliSU12YYJdWF9Qzjwd7Olb-ACbnM&dib_tag=se&keywords=samantha+whittaker&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1731089133&s=books&sprefix=samantha%2Cstripbooks%2C82&sr=1-1

Thank you