Thisdisease hasgivenme amountain toclimb.. infact, it’s nowgiven methree
Cowdenbeath ace Robbie McNab is living life to the full before symptoms of brain disorder Huntington’s strike
WHEN footballer Robbie McNab discovered he had inherited the gene that causes incurable and life-limiting Huntington’s Disease, he resolved to get busy living not dying.
The Cowdenbeath skipper tested positive for the faulty gene six years ago when he was 22 and, since then, he has been making sure every moment of his life counts.
Last year, he ran to the top of Ben Nevis in just 90 minutes, raising £5000 for Scottish Huntington’s Association, and this Saturday he will attempt to complete The Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours.
Although Robbie is yet to show any symptoms of the condition, he knows one day he will.
Anyone with a parent who has Huntington’s has a 50 per cent risk of inheriting the condition.
The gene gradually damages the brain over time and peoplele with the disease can eventuallyy lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink and care for themselves.
But Robbie, who inherited the gene from dad Allan,lan, 55, is determined not to let Huntington’s untington’s define or dictate his life and is busy doing what he cann to raise awareness of the condition. ion.
The former Kelty Heartsrts and Linlithgow Rose player, who was born in Denny, near ear Falkirk, said: “Huntington’s n’s Disease takes its toll on whole famil ies and d relationships.
“I see what’s happening g to my dad as his s symptoms progress – he was always an ‘up and at it’ kind of person but it’s becoming more difficult now and he’s not too great reat right now.
“I tested positive in my early 20s 2 and since then I haven’t ven’t taken t my mind or my body ody for fo granted.
“I enjoy myself but haveve a much m healthier lifestylee to stay s as fit and as strongg as ppossible. Life’s short and mmine couldco be shorter in terms of quality.
“I also feel that exercise is a pprivilege and I want to make the most of iti while I can.”
RobbieRobbie, who is Cowdenbeath’s player ofo the year, decided to combincombine his passion for fitness with supporting Scottish HuntiHuntington’s Association after a dip in form on the pitch during the 22022-2023 season.
TThe personal trainer, who ruruns OWNNIT gym in FaFalkirk with business partner LLiam Healy, said: “I needed ssomething to give me a lift; I wanted to challenge mmyself and do something pospositive at the same time. “My mum Amanda has had support from the SHA charity over the yeayears, including attending confereconferences and events, so I decidedecided it was time to give somethsomething back and thought why not run up Ben Nevis?
“When I reached the top I stood there for ages taking it all in. It was
a great moment as I realiserealised just what a gift life is.
“None of us knows what is in front of us so we need to grab every moment with both hands.” Robbie, who revealed his HD diagnosis last year in BBC football show A View from the Terrace, added: “This year I thought why not go bigger so me and a bunch of my friends are going to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdonia in Wales in just 24 hours.” A simple blood test determines whether someone will get Huntington’s at some point between their 30s and 50s, with the life expectancy from the onset of symptoms somewhere between 10 and 25 years. Robbie, who lives in Falkirk with his fiancee Chantelle, 28, said: “I waited untilntil I was 22 to get tested.
“I could have done it sooner but they try and encourage you not to do so as it’s potentially a lifechanging conversation you are going to have with the doctors.”
He added: “I went with my dad to get the results and didn’t really react when they gave me the bad news as it took me time to process it but once I did it was a real shock to the system.
“I will never forget coming home and telling my mum. She broke down. It’s the last thing in the world you would want for your son.
“For me, it wasn’t the end of the world. I try to keep as fit and healthy as I can so that by the time I’m 40 or 50, or whenever it is that these symptoms kick in, my body will be in a good place.
“I am also optimistic that by then there will be more medicine than there is now and potentially a cure.”
Robbie cites former Olympic rower Sarah Winckless MBE, patron of Scottish Huntington’s Association, as one of his inspirations.
Sarah, 50, who was at university when she tested positive for the Huntington’s gene, went on to win two World Championships and an Olympic bronze medal in rowing.
Robbie said: “Sarah is a great example of someone who is being the best version of herself despite knowing what’s to come. I had dinner with her last year and was bowled over by her.”
About 800 people in Scotland are living with the symptoms of HD and a further 3200 are estimated to be at risk of developing it.
Robbie is optimistic about his future and hopes his outlook will encourage others to make the most of every moment.
The Blue Brazil defender said: “Life is good. My fiancee and I are waiting to get keys for our new flat. We are talking about having a family one day as there are ways of making sure the gene is not passed on.
“Chantelle has been my rock and I could not ask for anyone better, and my mum Amanda is my biggest supporter both on and off the pitch. I’m very lucky.”