Tommy writes life story after 25 years with MND
Great-grandad insists diagnosis‘isn’t the end’
A great-grandad who has lived with motor neurone disease (MND) for over two decades has written five books to show that being diagnosed with the condition ‘isn’t the end’.
Thomas ‘Tommy’ Herd was diagnosed in 1997 and over time, the condition – which affects the brain and nerves – progressed at a slow pace. The former draughtsman was forced to stop working aged 53 due to problems with his speech.
The 81-year-old, who has been living with the condition for 27 years now, has difficulty talking, using his left hand and swallowing solid foods. Tommy is fed by a pump overnight.
Despite his health battles, the dad-of-three hasn’t stopped trying to thrive in life.
He moved into Abbeydale Care Home in Hamilton after damaging his back and being unable to fend for himself. But the move helped Tommy follow one of his passions – writing.
He has since written five books telling the story of different parts of his life before and after diagnosis.
Tommy said: “I really enjoy writing, typing using my right hand into my ipad and it’s been cathartic to look back at my life and all the fantastic things I’ve achieved with an amazing family.
“When I was first diagnosed it was a real shock and MND has completely changed my life but I hope that showing my life didn’t end at that diagnosis will give people in similar situations hope to carry on and that it’s not all bad news.”
The first book covers his early years being raised by his grandmother after his mother died of TB when he was four years old. It charts his career as a store boy aged 15 before qualifying as a design draughtsman for boilers and pressure vessels right through to supervisor at Babcock Research working on nuclear power station boiler units.
He married his late wife Betty in 1965 and spent 14 years in South Africa with their children Thomas, Lynette, and Yvonne – a story that is captured in book two.
Book three covers returning to Scotland, his shock diagnosis and facing his condition with books four and five remembering periods in the East End of Glasgow and his life to present day.
Tommy added: “My family mean everything to me, and they’ve been really supportive. It’s fantastic I’ve lived to see four grandchildren and one great-grand daughter.
“I have tried to tell it as I remember it and finished my final chapter in December. But thinking about it I still have more chapters to add so maybe a sixth book will be in the pipeline.”
Grace Sloan, manager at the Abbey Healthcare home, said: “Tommy is a real character and has had an interesting life. He’s determined to keep going so we support him to keep as active as his condition allows and will make sure he gets the best personalised care and support he needs.
“Suggesting he start writing as and when he feels like it was our way of encouraging him to indulge his passion and we love reading the chapters and feeding back our comments. I’m delighted that it’s hopefully going to get printed – if it does we’ll all buy a copy.”