So this year I have decided to fundraise for the MND association, alongside some of my INCREDIBLE friends who I wouldn't have got through 2024 without.

Some of the plans for this year to raise money and awareness….

1) HYROX Glasgow

2) Liverpool Half Marathon

3) Skydive - So me and one of my besties (Jess Brady) will be using this page to fundraise for this - because we’re both crazy, along with one of our other besties Mia!!

4)….

This is for my Dad, my hero - as well as others living and caring for someone with MND.

On the 9th July 2024 our world was shattered. On the way to work I got a call off my Mum to say my Dad had had a stroke, I immediately diverted and drove straight to their home. I remember seeing him in the back of the ambulance, my heart just broke. Growing up, I never saw my Dad cry, but right here I did. I saw the fear in his eyes. I reassured him that everything was going to be OK and that we would be there for him. I never thought how much our life would change that day.

He got to hospital and spent the next month there. Every single day I was by his side. Trying to juggle working in Liverpool and driving to his bedside in Leighton hospital. I was more than exhausted, but nothing and no one was going to stop me being there for him like I promised, like he would do for me.

The challenges he, and we as a family faced during this time were the hardest we have ever faced. We longed for some positive news, every day recieving more bad news. Then came the mention of motor neurone disease. Me and mum laughed it off, Dad did not have motor neurone disease! What a silly suggestion! How wrong were we...we were stereotypical. Someone with motor neurone disease is able to walk and move...however...there are 4 types of motor neurone disease we learnt. My Dad got diagnosed with progressive bulbar palsy, a form that affects his speech, breathing and swallow, leading to aspiration (food going into his lungs instead of his tummy). It is also a disease with a symptom call emotional lability where people either laugh or cry, my Dad has the crying version. Again, absolutely devastating as he went from the joker of the family. A devastating and life limiting disease, a disease my Dad will never get better from. He was struggling to, in his words 'to find the words', it was hard to understand some things he was saying, leading to him getting frustrated as we couldn't understand him. He was weaker with his right hand/arm so I set him a daily challenge of a colouring in for me (as I was the only one he'd agree to do it for!). Every day I was proud, he had done his homework set by me.

He wasn't allowed to eat for a whole month as he choked, and tests showed food was going into his lungs, so he was fed by a tube. We had endless meetings, then one meeting he was given the option to eat and drink at risk or to have a peg into his stomach to feed him. I sat with him and explained the peg, went through pictures of what it looked like and told him everything I knew about them from my nursing background. He chose to eat and drink at risk which we respected his wish, as did his consultant who said enjoyment of the rest of his life is priority. We were told he couldnt fly, so we went ahead and cancelled our holiday.

Soon after we were allowed to take my Dad home, a day he longed for! This was the day our journey truly began. The appointments, trying to get support and things in place. Adapting to the new way of life. The morning Dad had the stroke he was off to work! There was no more work. It is now 24/7 care. Shortly after discharge came the appointment in Stoke with the MND Consultant, everything felt slightly better. Things were going to move forward, dad was going to be fast tracked to have the peg to be fed as this became increasingly worse and a daily fear and struggle. MND nurses were going to come to the house. Speech and language were going to see him, OT's, dieticians, to name a few!

Following his speech and language appointment we learnt that it isn't the NHS who provide support for those taken by MND but the MND association charity!!! Funding was going to be from them to get my Dad's voice recorded for him to use when his voice goes totally, if he can't use his hands/arms this can also be done by eye movement, which we thought was pretty incredible. Again, all this equipment to be provided by the MND association. Because of people who have fundraised for the MND association, we can have the support we really need - emotional, equipment of varying levels, literally anything we need THEY provide. They are always there and provide so so much to those living with MND and the family caring for them. Most importantly for me, my Dad will be able to have a voice, his voice, when he no longer can. We can hear 'I love you', for the rest of our lives, from my Dad.

My Dad is now partially fed by a tube. Our lives changed more with this and with the news that he would be coming home with 2 ventilators to help with his breathing. As he is the highest risk, this is why he has to have 2.

Life really can change in a instant. Make the memories. Spend time with those you love and cherish. Surround yourself with positivity.

This is our story, a life of total unknown thats been thrown at us, our reason to fundraise for MND association. A cause closer to my heart than any other. A cause I never even contemplated. A cause that is giving my Dad his voice for the rest of his days 🧡💙

Massive massive thank you to those who have stood by us as a family during all of this, we really do appreciate every single person who's been there and supported us. Every check in. Every hug. Thank you. There are no words to how we feel. Thank you to my bestest friends and my mum for getting me through 2024 - I love you more than words can say ❤️

Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page supporting the MND Association. The MND Association focus 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 me your money will help 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. Thank you again