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
1882 comments
I’m completely cured from Herpes 1&2 virus after drinking a natural herbal medicine that was sent to me by a herbalist called doctor excel who I contacted for cure, I had the virus for more than 5 years but recently I was confirm negative several weeks after I finished drinking the medicine’ all thanks to Dr Excel for his herbal medication so get to know about him on his web: https://excelherbalcure.com or talk to him on the WhatsApp +1(509) 883 9893
All thanks to doc excel for bringing my life back to normal because I just got cured from Herpes virus 1&2 with the herbal medicine that he sent me to drink. I got to know about doc excel through a friend that was cured from genital herpes with the same medicine. His herbal medicine works magic without any side effects. I would recommend Him to everyone suffering from any type of herpes virus. You can contact him through His web address: https://excelherbalcure.com and his WhatsApp number +1 509 883 9893
I’m still trying to process the fact that I have just been cured from herpes virus because my medical doctor just confirmed me negative after having the virus for more than five years. I still remember how I got the virus back then from my cheating boyfriend and we actually broke up because of it but now I have just been cured after I finish drinking the herbal meds that were prepared and ship to me by a herbal man called excel who I contacted through his website. Get to know about this herbal man and his herbal medication on his website https://excelherbalcure.com
Dear friends online My name is Destiny Hudson And I live in the USA, Dominica I am here today to appreciate the good work of Dr Oyagu, for helping me curing my HSV 1&2 Disease, I contacted the virus from my Partner, I found out he was cheating on me, so i broke up with him, 2 month later I went to test myself in the hospital when I was seeing sore on my mouth and Private areas, I was diagnosed of HSV 1&2. I tried using the acyclovir medicine but it didn’t help in curing it, I went on a search and found out Dr Oyagu curing people illness, and so I got his email and I was told how I can get his herbal cure, 3 days later I received his medicine after using it for 2 weeks I was tested again and was confirm negative, today I am totally free. If you are over there looking for solution email: oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com or contact him on WhatsApp +2348101755322 today and share your own testimony. And He also has herbal cure for the Following DISEASES, eczema, urethra wart, chronic problems. Herpes, Cancer, Als, Hepatitis, Diabetes, HPV ,Infections, ulcer ETC https://oyaguspellcaster.wixsite.com/oyaguherbalhome
I never thought getting a loan could be this easy.
Last month, I was stuck with urgent medical bills and had no support. Then I came across Elite Capital Group, a Financial Service Provider.
The process was super fast and stress-free. I applied in the morning, and by afternoon, I received the loan directly into my account. They render varieties of financial services such as: Commercial Loan, Business Loan, Home Loan, Car Loan, Debt Consolidation Loan, Auto Loan, Student Loan, Line of Credit, Second Mortgage.
No hidden charges, no stress — just smooth and reliable service. Because of them, I was able to settle my bills.
If you need a financial help, I strongly recommend Elite Capital Group. They are legit and dependable.
You can contact them via email: elitegroupcapital@outlook.com
WhatsApp: +14356097504
Best regards,
Becky, Announcer.