Life has a way of giving you a massive reality check at times though doesn't it?
On Friday I was told that Val Franklin had passed away, then on Sunday we found out that Rob Burrow had lost his battle against the disease. A stark reminder that at present there is only one winner when MND is involved.
I'm guessing that some of you reading this may well have known Val and so are fully aware of the lovely person she was. I first met her next to the 18th green at Rushcliffe Golf Club, as we waited for a group of ladies to finish a '72 holes in a day challenge'. Raising money for Stand Against MND. Val was one of the first people I'd met in person who also had MND. At that time I was visibly more advanced in my progression than Val, in my powered wheelchair and reliant on my ventilator. A casual observer would never have known we had the same illness.
Val would later tell me that she found that first meeting quite difficult. Looking at me was frightening, like seeing what the future could hold. To their enormous credit, Val and her husband Pete agreed to come over for a cup of tea to pick my brains about my journey. Nobody ever warns you about the mountains of admin that come with a degenerative disease, and if you don't keep up with it at your end you might not get the help you need. I'd been through a lot of it and I hope had a few useful tips.
Opening up and wanting that information takes immense courage. It shows in my view an acceptance of your circumstances, and a determination to make the most of the time you have. I'm so pleased that Val and I shared that outlook.
You would never have known what we were discussing based on the amount of laughter in the room. I was left with that familiar feeling of confusion as to why MND seems to attack such lovely people.
Val and her family became and remain stellar supporters of the charity, and I would frequently see them at the monthly golf club quizgo (highly recommended if you enjoy trivia and are of course willing to donate any winnings to a local charity...)* Val always had a smile and a chat whilst Pete always had a one liner at the ready.
*Not compulsory
Over time we saw each other less and less as we both found spending time out and about more challenging, until I heard the news last Friday. RIP Val, it was lovely to know you. All my love to the Franklin family.
A life with MND, particularly when you are integrated with patient communities on line and in person, means that losing people is tragically a frequent occurrence. A consistent reminder of your own proximity to death.
So how to react to such sobering news on such a regular basis? I remember I am alive. I have opportunity. I love. I laugh, I strive, I experience. In Vals honour, in Robs honour, for all the fallen warriors I've lost along the way,
I will live the most significant life I can muster.
Nothing else matters
1888 comments
I was once diagnosed with herpes but after drinking Dr Osalu herbal Medicine for a couple of weeks I couldn’t trace it anymore because all the symptoms disappeared totally so I went to several labs for tests and they all came out Negative. Order and get Your herbal cure today from him. WhatsApp: +2348078668950
Email: drosaluherbalhome@gmail.com Website: https://drosaluherbalhome.wixsite.com/drosaluherbshome
Are you searching for a real spell caster ?
It is amazing how quickly Dr. Excellent brought my husband back to me.
My name is Heather Delaney. I married the love of my life Riley on 10/02/15 and we now have two beautiful girls Abby & Erin, who are conjoined twins, that were born 07/24/16. My husband left me and moved to be with another woman. I felt my life was over and my kids thought they would never see their father again. I tried to be strong just for the kids but I could not control the pains that tormented my heart, my heart was filled with sorrows and pains because I was really in love with my husband. I have tried many options but he did not come back, until i met a friend that directed me to Dr. Excellent a spell caster, who helped me to bring back my husband after 11hours. Me and my husband are living happily together again, This man is powerful, contact Dr. Excellent if you are passing through any difficulty in life or having troubles in your marriage or relationship, he is capable of making things right for you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best spell caster.
Here his contact. Call/WhatsApp him at: +2348084273514 "
Or email him at: Excellentspellcaster@gmail.com ,
For more information visit his website:https://drexcellentspellcaster.godaddysites.com
Are you searching for a real spell caster ?
It is amazing how quickly Dr. Excellent brought my husband back to me.
My name is Heather Delaney. I married the love of my life Riley on 10/02/15 and we now have two beautiful girls Abby & Erin, who are conjoined twins, that were born 07/24/16. My husband left me and moved to be with another woman. I felt my life was over and my kids thought they would never see their father again. I tried to be strong just for the kids but I could not control the pains that tormented my heart, my heart was filled with sorrows and pains because I was really in love with my husband. I have tried many options but he did not come back, until i met a friend that directed me to Dr. Excellent a spell caster, who helped me to bring back my husband after 11hours. Me and my husband are living happily together again, This man is powerful, contact Dr. Excellent if you are passing through any difficulty in life or having troubles in your marriage or relationship, he is capable of making things right for you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best spell caster.
Here his contact. Call/WhatsApp him at: +2348084273514 "
Or email him at: Excellentspellcaster@gmail.com ,
For more information visit his website:https://drexcellentspellcaster.godaddysites.com
This is my testimony how Kwale Temple helped me to get my EX back. When I found Dr. Kwale on Facebook I was in desperate need of bringing my ex lover back. He left me for another woman. It all happened so fast and I had no choice in the situation. He just dumped me after 3 years with no explanation. I reached out to Dr. Kwale through his Email kwaletemple@gmail.com and he told me what I need to do before he can help me and I did exactly that. After he cast the love spell to help us get back together. My husband started texting me again and felt horrible for what he has put me through. He said that I was the most important person in his life and he knows that now. We moved in together and he is so committed to me now. I highly recommend Dr. Kwale Solution spell to anyone in need to get their partner back. Kindly send an email to Dr. Kwale at Kwaletemple@gmail.com .
Email: rightwaylawrecoveryservice@gmai.com
WhatsApp: + 1 (479) 849-4201
Telegram: +1 513 602 3179