Dad staying positive despite disease fight
A DAD who was once the ‘loudest person in the room’ is now losing his voice due to a degenerative disease.
Justin Hammond, 50, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease 18 months ago.
A fit and active man until a few years ago, Justin is now in a wheelchair and is paralysed from his neck down, with his condition continuing to deteriorate.
He is currently being cared for at home in Sale by his family, including his parents, his two daughters Rosie, 20, and Tilly, 14, and a series of carers.
Daughter Tilly said: “My dad is amazing. Every time he loses the ability to do something he just accepts it and stays positive.
“Growing up, he was always the loudest person in the room, which could be embarrassing, but now he is losing his speech which is really tough. We want to do what we can to support him for as long as we can. He’s a great dad.”
A group of Justin’s former colleagues from Princes Foods will be walking their headquarters in Liverpool to Sale next month to raise funds for Justin. They will be setting off on Wednesday, December 7 to walk the 35 miles from the Liver Building to Justin’s home.
The group will be joined by Kev Darby, a finance controller at Princes whose brother is Stephen Darby the former Liverpool defender forced to retire at 29 after being diagnosed with MND while playing for Bolton Wanderers.
The route was Justin’s daily commute when he worked at the firm.
It is hoped that Justin will join the final section of the walk to cross the finish line with colleagues. A JustGiving page has been set up to raise funds for the MND Association and to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and the impact it’s having on Justin and his family. It has already raised nearly £15,000.
Sales director Adam Norcott, who has worked with Justin for 12 years, said: “We have been staggered by the bravery, resilience and humour Justin has shown in the most heartbreaking and challenging circumstances. Justin isn’t just a brilliant colleague but a great friend too.”
Mary Hammond, Justin’s mum, said: “Going from working full-time to not at all has been very difficult for Justin, but he was determined to carry on for as long as he could.
“He misses his colleagues, and his customers, but they have all been so supportive and regularly visit.”