Jacqueline

Jacqueline Catlin, who has MND, with her daughters Emily and Harriet

Sadly Jacqueline lost her fight with MND in July 2008.

I was pregnant with my second child when I heard I had MND. I simply refused to believe it at first. I couldn't believe fate would be so cruel. I had a two-year-old daughter, another on the way and everything to live for.

"When Emily, my four year old, wants a cuddle, she gets up on my lap and pulls my arms round her. They keep me going sometimes, those cuddles."

Of course, you're forced to believe after a while. In my case, it was when I ended up in hospital with an emergency tracheotomy to help me breathe.

I'd probably still be there if it wasn't for the Association. I need to use a suction unit every day and the Association loaned me one so I could come home and be with my girls.

When Harriet was a little baby, the local Branch lent me a special sling so I could carry and feed her even though I was losing strength in my arms. The Association does everything it can to help me live how I want.

I'm not going to pretend the situation is ideal. MND is an awful disease. I can't use my arms any more. When Emily, my four year old, wants a cuddle, she gets up on my lap and pulls my arms round her. They keep me going sometimes, those cuddles.

I have drawn up a Living Will specifying that I want all available medical intervention. If I did not have my family or friends, and if I wasn't so young, then maybe I would say, "Right, now end it," but I personally have so much to live for.

And with research going on, who knows, maybe one day there will be a cure.

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