Despite MND being a devastating illness there is a lot of fun and friendship to be found both locally and nationally...
Janine Vince
I first became aware of the MND Association in 1992 when my husband was diagnosed with MND at the age of 32. We did already know about the illness as other members of his family had died from the disease. Our local branch was incredibly supportive, helping us with alterations to the house and making my husband feel comfortable and included at our meetings. When he died in January 1993 they continued to help and support me with friendship.
I have been chairman, vice chairman and publicity officer within our local branch and although we are now a fundraising group we continue to do what we can to assist people in our area. In 1995 I was elected a trustee and served for seven very interesting years. I learnt a lot about the Association, its role and aims in both care and research and have enjoyed seeing the Association grow and progress greatly over the years.
My most memorable moments would have to be the breakthroughs in finding the various genes that cause MND. It is a starting point that proves to me that the research will succeed in the end - and I want to be involved when that time comes.
I will continue to be a member of the Association, raising funds and awareness wherever I can, for as long as I can. Not least because MND still affects my late husband's family.
Despite MND being a devastating illness there is a lot of fun and friendship to be found both locally and nationally and I am lucky enough to have met some lovely people through being involved with the Association. It is a great feeling to give something back to say thank you for the help we received when we needed it.
