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
1452 comments
It’s quite unfortunate how many unlicensed and unregulated crypto investments are being used to steal crypto assets from people who don’t have an idea of how crypto works.
I was once a victim and I’m here to speak out because the pump and dump schemes made me lose $1.2M worth of crypto in November last year, and if I didn’t carry out my research together with the assistance of RecoveryBureauC Service who was able to help me withdraw my crypto after it was frozen in their crypto investment platform, my crypto assets would have been gone forever. RecoveryBureauC Cyber Service detected their price was artificially inflated only to have it drop, this is usually done to cheat customers out of their hard-earned money. If you are ever in need of a professional and reliable crypto assets recovery specialist, RecoveryBureauC Service is the best. You can rest assured that your privacy and security are protected, everything is done professionally and both parties are protected. My crypto was recovered successfully and RecoveryBureauC has since then improved my security, and secured my account from any future financial loss. You can contact them via
WhatsApp: +1 (763 898-2440)
Email: RecoveryBureauC @ gmail, c0m
RecoveryBureauC Successfully Recovered My USDT/BTC From GainBitcoin Scam.
My name is Mukesh and I was a victim of a GainBitcoin scam where I was promised huge returns from my investment not knowing I was being conned by GainBitcoin, I lost 22 million Indian rupees to this scam which I thought was gone forever after the whole scheme was down, however, I came across RecoveryBureauC Service, who was able to help me trace and recover my USDT and BTC funds and after several months of waiting for the CBI to begin their investigation, RecoveryBureauCj Cyber Service was able to help me recover my USDT/BTC in a few hours. It’s such a pity that such a scam could be allowed to continue for so long and if not for the services of RecoveryBureauC Cyber Service, I would have lost my money forever. I’m recommending RecoveryBureauC services to everyone affected by the GainBitcoin scam. I can confidently assure you that RecoveryBureauC can recover any crypto assets no matter how long you have lost them. Below is their contact information.
E-mail: RecoveryBureauC @ gmail, c0m
U svojoj ulozi radim s odjelima za osiguranje, obradu, financiranje i drugim odjelima. Svaki od ovih timova dolazi s ogromnim bogatstvom znanja. To mi omogućuje da steknem više znanja o svojoj ulozi i pružim članovima bolje iskustvo. Dobijte svoju financijsku slobodu od nas danas. Dugujete li, trebate zajam, brz i pouzdan, ovo je mjesto za dobivanje vjerodostojnih zajmova. Nudimo poslovne zajmove, studentske zajmove, stambene zajmove, osobne zajmove itd. Kamatna stopa zajma od 3%. Kontaktirajte nas danas. Imate priliku dobiti novčani zajam u iznosu od 2000 (€$£) – 5.000.000 – 100.000.000 (€$£) s mogućnošću otplate od 1 godine do 45 godina bez jamstva nekretnine.
Viber: +385915608706
WhatsApp: +385915608706
E-pošta: hybridalliantcreditunion@gmail.com
© 2025 Alliant Credit Union
11545 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago, IL 60666
Usmjeravanje #271081528
I’m thrilled to talk about Wizard Larry Recovery because this cyber security firm helped me get my bitcoin and stolen digital money back. Their skilled work and outstanding service have absolutely impressed me. I told them about my issues and gave them all the details I needed. I was astounded. For any of your bitcoin recovery, digital funds recovery, hacking, and cybersecurity-related needs, I wholeheartedly endorse Wizard Larry Recovery.
Visit Website::: www.wizardlarryrecovery.com
Email them at::: support@wizardlarryrecovery.com
WhatsApp at :::+1(616) 292-4789 or +44 7 (3111) 4 6749
On Telegram::: https://t.me/wizardlarryrecovery
Have been getting scammed multiple times. I was so confused about these scammers, I had to do what everyone in my situation would do, I made a research all by myself, I got to reach out to { Wzardgarryspeedhack } on Telegram through the help of my lawyer, since I was recommended by my lawyer I had to give him my trust. The most interesting part is that I got all my funds recovered back to my wallet. So for the reason that you have no control over your wallet or you need your bitcoin restored after been invested with a wrong broker, do contact Wzardgarry Recovery right away so that the transaction can be traced and your bitcoin can be recoverd in short time. Wzardgarry recovery is the reliable hacking group out here for a successful job like this.
Contact: wzardgarryspeedhack@gmail.com
Telegram: @wzardgarryspeedhack
Regards,
Dannette Romero.