MND can get in the sea

Life for all of us, is a mixture of highs and lows, the ebb and flow of the tide, the crunchy and the smooth of the peanut butter, and living with Motor Neurone Disease is no different. In the last few weeks, I have been to two football matches, one gig, one gallery exhibition, been on the radio, had a cut throat shave, laughed with friends, scoffed a vegan roast dinner buffet, and enjoyed the cherry blossom and the spring sunshine. Photos incoming!! I've also had a disappointing neuro appointment, lost a fellow MND sufferer, had strangers look at my bottom every day, spoken to a dietician about a bowel regime, and done a poo in my pants.  Alice has had a respite night in a hotel, run 32k in training for the Leeds marathon, stretched and relaxed at yoga, also been on the radio, also had a disappointing neuro appointment, but as far as I know, hasn't also done a poo in her pants.  Our three monthly appointm...

Does anyone like January? Not many of us I'm guessing. I was certainly happy to see the back of it. I remember last year that my symptoms deteriorated remarkably just after Christmas and I feel as though the same has happened this year. Maybe it's the January blues, or the amount of rain we've had, or maybe it's just a coincidence, but it has hit me pretty hard I'm afraid.  Over the last few weeks I have noticed that my arm and finger strength has reduced and I now struggle to lift the duvet up to my pillow at night, or make a cup of coffee during the day. The things that I used to never think about like brushing my teeth or scratching my head are now monumental or impossible tasks. I have a back scratcher that Teddy and I share. I use it to reach an itch, and because I can't bend down and stroke Teddy any more, he likes a scratch under his chin - who doesn't?  My legs fare no better than my arms, and though I can still stand, I can't then lift my legs ...

I've just send the blog to Alice for spell checking and grammar and I said to her that there isn't much about me and MND. I then tried to get up to go to the toilet and I dropped the TV remote, the electric fire remote, my phone, and my coffee cup, all in succession. I think that says more about me than a hundred word paragraph. Christmas and New Year bank holidays are perfect opportunities to get together with family and friends to celebrate, but the holiday season can also be a time for reflection. This January marks three years since what I like to call my 'Theory Of Everything' moment, when I fell while out training for the Brighton marathon. Just like Stephen Hawking's fall (played by Eddie Redmayne) in the dramatisation of his life with Motor Neurone Disease, I hit the ground so quickly that I didn't put my arms out to break my fall, and consequently broke my glasses, and suffered a bad cut above my right eye.  When I was diagnosed 6 months later after e...