Stephen Black shares his story of MND

Stephen is married to retired midwife Mary and together they have four children – Angus, Rhona, Duncan and Ewan. On his diagnosis he said, “I started having problems walking in January 2015. My legs were getting weak and I went to the doctors but they weren’t sure what was wrong. Then in the April I fell and fractured two ribs, so went in for more tests. From January to my diagnosis in August, I attended many hospital appointments, until they finally told me I had MND. There is no single test for MND, so all other possible diseases have to be excluded.”

“When we first heard the news it was earth-shattering. We are still trying to come to terms with this condition, however we have an amazing support system through our friends and family. My MND symptoms have progressed much quicker than I would have expected and I am now in a wheelchair. I can no longer dress myself, take a shower unaided and require help for the simplest of tasks. Losing my independence is hard to accept.”

Stephen retired six years ago after working in Aberdeen as a contracts manager in the oil industry for 25 years. He was very fit and active when he was younger, being a serious rower, a keen skier, golfer, hill walker, cyclist and Scottish country dancer.

“As a family we would go on skiing holidays. These have been some of our best trips together. It’s difficult not being able to do something you love but I have many great memories. This year we went to Switzerland with the family and I was able to use a sit-ski – which was really good fun. It does what it says on the tin. Instead of standing on two skis, there is a seat on two ski’s to allow me to sit while skiing. Although I probably won’t be able to do that again next year.”

Stephen told us why helping to ‘Cure MND’ through research is key, “Research is so important – how else are we going to find a cure, or even a treatment that will help improve the lives of people with MND. We need to do something now for our future generations!”