Brave pensioner describes plight
Ann explains Motor Neurone Disease
An Uddingston pensioner who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) last week called on the public to help fund vital research into the disease.
Retired British Gas customer services manager Ann Irvine was diagnosed with the progressive terminal illness in July last year. It can cause sufferers to lose the ability to walk, eat, speak and breathe unaided.
Ann first noticed something was wrong in August 2012 as her left leg had gone limp. The doctor first thought it was the result of a stroke and noticed her left hand was also weaker than it should be – even though Ann hadn’t noticed herself. After more than two years of tests she finally received her MND diagnosis.
Ann – who was speaking during MND Awareness Week (June 20 to 26) – said: “It’s just a shame we don’t know enough about MND and that it isn’t highlighted as much as it should be.
“I have donated my blood to the Scottish MND Register for research because MND Scotland have done so much for me and I wanted to give something back. Even if it doesn’t help me, it’ll help people in the future.
“So now I am asking everyone who is reading this to do something to help us ‘Cure MND’ and donate £5 to MND Scotland by texting CUREMND to 70660 or visit www.mndscotland.org.uk to donate online.”
Ann met husband Jim on a blind date in 1968 and they married in Paisley in 1971. They lived in Lochwinnoch for 16 years before moving to Uddingston.
Jim (70) was diagnosed with prostate cancer some years ago, but received the ‘all-clear’ last year.
He said: “It has been bittersweet. I got the all clear and then Ann received her diagnosis. In a way it’s good because it means I’m better now and can take care of Ann, the way she has for me all those years.”
Anne pointed out: “Of course we have bad days, but on the whole we remain optimistic and look to the future together. What is the point in worrying about something you can’t change?
“The support we have received and the people we have met during this journey have been wonderful, both from MND Scotland and the NHS.
For more info about the research MND Scotland funds, and how you can help, visit www.mndscotland.org.uk/.
I am asking everyone who reads this to do something to help Cure MND and donate £5