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Gil Rice was finally diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis – a form of MND – several years after being incorrectly diagnosed with another illness. As his condition began to deteriorate, and his mobility decreased, he had to cope with taking early retirement from his much-loved job, moving home several times and finding new interests to compensate for the cycling he could no longer manage.

To keep positive, he decided to record some of his memories and feelings from the moment he noticed a slight limp, through to the day in 1997 when he was finally diagnosed, and beyond.

Read Gil’s Story >>>>

Danny Broomfield, a member of the East Dorset and New Forest Branch of the MNDA had an article published in the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

Read Danny’s Story >>>>

John Trewavas, a member of the East Dorset and New Forest Branch of the MNDA had an article published in the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

Read John’s Story >>>>

 

TIME FOR A WASH

It was a bright and sunny morning when a cheerful happy nurse arrived in my part of the ward swishing closed the curtains as she came.

 

“Hello,” she said, “lovely looking day, are you ready for your wash?”

 

I was ready. I had decamped from my bed and I was sitting comfortably in my armchair waiting for all this to happen. I managed to stand up and I moved over to the towel I had to stand on, and the very competent nurse began the routine of my wash. All the time she was talking to me in her very happy style, I grunted, nodded, or used signs with my hands to respond. Being dumb meant that there was no other way to respond, also, I was separated from my light writer and my laptop, neither of which, I can hold on to, when I am being washed.

 

Read the rest of Bernard’s Story >>>>        

Maria Foreman, a 45-year-old single

mum has been extremely active

during her life – ballet, running and

jogging, cycling and running around

after her three lovely healthy boys. She

shares her story of life with MND:

After a nasty fall in summer 2009,

I smashed my wrist. On restarting

activities I found myself stiff and

physically things were hard work. In

February 2010 I went to my doctor

because I had walked up a slight

incline and it felt like I had had a stroke

in my left thigh! A year long round of

consultants, hospitals and different

things being checked and nothing

was found to be wrong. Perhaps I

needed a psychiatrist?!

In March 2011 I was told by my

consultant Dr Ralph Gregory that

I had MND. I left his room totally

unaware of what I was going to do.

I’m a phlebotomist and I was meant

to be going to work so I rang and told

them I would not be in. My head was

spinning.

I told my parents when I got

home. Not sure it went in, but that is

understandable, who wants to see

their children leave this world before

they do? My boyfriend was working

away from home and contacted me

to ask how it all went... I did not want

to tell him but he insisted. I was so

worried about how he would be on

the long drive home.

The hardest thing was telling my

children. I told my eldest, Will at the

weekend when he was home from

University and his girlfriend was with

him. He broke down in tears. My

younger two I left until after I had

been in hospital for an overnight stay

and lumbar puncture. My 15 year old,

Olly, checked it out on the internet

– followed by worry etc. My nine-year old

Dylan went out to play with his

friends.

 

I told everyone, starting with ‘Are

you okay? Now don’t be too worried

about what I am going to tell you...’

I felt so sorry for everyone as I told

them. Everybody reacts differently –

tears, questions, not understanding,

unable to look at you, stunned,

hugged, consoled. All different, but

all real.

My boyfriend suggested I start a

diary but I actually set up a facebook

page, Motor Neurone Together We

Stand. Here I offer my opinions and

feelings about the disease. It is a place

for people with MND in their lives. It

has given me a lot back. I don’t wallow

in self pity as there are so many of us

across the world and this is a great way

for swift contact and support.

I recently organised an event to raise funds to support the Association’s research programme.

I wrote to Spurs manager Harry

Redknapp, who lives locally and I

was thrilled when he rang me one

afternoon offered some fantastic raffle

prizes. He asked me and my boys to

call at his house to have photos taken

for the local paper to promote my

event.

We had a wonderful fundraising

evening with music from local talents

Jim Etherington and Freddie Jenkins.

My mother and a friend sold raffle

tickets. I ran an auction. My son, Will,

added to his sponsorship for the Great

South Run. One sponsor left £200! My

friend made a short video – it’s on You

Tube under ‘Motor Neurone Charity’.

The event raised £2,000 and loads of

Awareness.

 

 

When I had this diagnosis I said I

wanted 10 years, so I could see my

lovely boys grow up. Each of them

shows their upset differently but they

are still themselves and a joy to be the

mother of. I need a stick and rollator

and use my car and Blue Badge –

that’s like gold dust. Every weekend

I am out and about with my friends

going to music gigs and ending the

evening in my hot tub.

So don’t be sad for me because I am

having a blast! Life is for living so live.