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• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Jim - Interview 18 >> At first his GP reassured him it was nothing to worry about, but referred him to a neurologist. Within four months of referral he had a diagnosis of P

Jim was diagnosed 2 years ago (2005) with Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA) form of MND. His legs and arms are affected but not speech.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Phil - Interview 28 >> The first GP he saw assumed his symptoms were smoking-related. After a fall he was referred to a neurologist who diagnosed MND after eliminating other

Phil was diagnosed just over a year ago, after nearly 2 years of leg weakness. He is still able to walk at home but uses a wheelchair and scooter outdoors. He has some weakness in his right arm.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Slawomir - Interview 33 >> He had problems getting referred to neurology and had long waits between appointments. In the end he saw a neurologist privately and had a private MRI

Slawomir was diagnosed 3 months ago, 18 months after first noticing weakness in his leg. He wonders if he may in fact have Lyme Disease. He can still walk and drive.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Dick - Interview 42 >> He took responsibility for coordinating Di's care himself - it was exhausting, but worth the effort.

Dick was married to Di, who was diagnosed with MND two and a half years ago (2004). She died 6 months ago, aged 64.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Mary - Interview 04 >> One doctor told her husband it might not be MND, so they went home and celebrated with champagne. She was devastated when they were told it was MND af

Mary is the wife of man diagnosed with MND a year before interview (2003). (Couple also interviewed together - see Jack's story MND03).

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Cordelia - Interview 13 >> She went to a conference on spinal muscular atrophy, thinking this was her diagnosis. A neurologist told her she was at the wrong conference. He later

Cordelia was diagnosed a year ago (2005) with MND after investigations for other conditions including spinal muscular atrophy. She now has considerable muscle weakness.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - familial/inherited >> Liz - Interview 22 >> MND runs in her family so she was referred quickly when she developed symptoms. She didn't want to believe it at first, but was glad to be diagnosed e

Liz was diagnosed with rare inherited (familial) form of MND 8 years ago (1998). Sixth member of her family to be diagnosed. Has weakness in her arms and legs, and some speech difficulties. Has a PEG but does not use it yet.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Bev - Interview 47 >> They waited weeks for some equipment and assessments, but a bath seat arrived which they didn't want. It was hard to find out about aids and car adapt

Bev's mother died about a year after developing speech and swallowing difficulties and being diagnosed with bulbar onset MND, aged 72. Her family were unhappy with many aspects of the care received.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Phil - Interview 28 >> He knew he could no longer demonstrate cars. He worried how his employers would react and how he would continue to earn a living.

Phil was diagnosed just over a year ago, after nearly 2 years of leg weakness. He is still able to walk at home but uses a wheelchair and scooter outdoors. He has some weakness in his right arm.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 20-49 >> Michael - Interview 29 >> He enjoys work but has stopped at the moment partly because he doesn't like asking colleagues for help, but mainly because he wants to spend the time

Michael was diagnosed less than a year ago in 2006 after noticing weakness in his right arm. His arm weakness remains his main symptom, and it has got worse. Currently he is on sick leave from work.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Peter & Olivia - Interview 46 >> They had to fight to get home visits from the GP when their daughter was dying. Services should be more responsive.

Peter's daughter Olivia (aged 22) died within a year of developing pain and weakness in her leg, in late 2006. Diagnosis of MND remained uncertain, as aspects of her condition were unusual.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Paul - Interview 09 >> The district nurses and MND clinic coordinator help fight his corner. He's also spent a lot of time and energy himself making sure home care arrangeme

Paul's diagnosis of progressive muscular atrophy was confirmed 2 years ago (2004) after several years of leg pain and weakness. Now unable to walk and he has limited arm movement. Uses a ventilator, but his speech is not affected. He worked until 6 months ago.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Una & Bill - Interview 49 >> Their MND Association Regional Care Development Adviser and their GP have been excellent in coordinating services.

Una's husband Bill first noticed symptoms at the end of 2005 and was diagnosed aged 63. A ventilator greatly improved his energy levels for nearly a year. He had a PEG fitted but does not yet use it for feeding.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Penny - Interview 11 >> The MND specialist clinic feels well coordinated but not some other aspects of care. She'd like a one-stop point of contact.

Penny was diagnosed three years ago (2003) with ALS, after having arm weakness, pains and coughing fits for three years. The condition has progressed quite slowly so far.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 20-49 >> Kim - Interview 10 >> Her care on the neurological ward was excellent. She would like to hear more positive stories about the quality of care.

Kim was diagnosed with MND (ALS) about a year ago (2005). Now unable to walk she needs help with most daily tasks, but is still working as an occupational therapist and able to drive. Her speech is not affected.