• Clip
• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 20-49 >> Kim - Interview 10 >> As an OT she suspected she might have MND. She describes the diagnostic tests, including an EMG, blood tests, an MRI scan and an x-ray of her spine.

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.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PLS (primary lateral sclerosis) >> 'Speedy' - Interview 19 >> She advises others to hold out as long possible before moving onto the next piece of equipment. She wants to stay 'in the land of the vertical' and no

'Speedy' was diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) nearly 2 years ago (in 2005) after 2 years of increasing leg weakness. She now uses a wheelchair and a hand-operated car.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 20-49 >> Michael - Interview 29 >> You need to know some things, but he feels too fragile to find out about progression and prognosis. Staff must inform people sensitively but there's n

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 >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Jim - Interview 18 >> The information sources he's used include the internet, books, the MND Association and BUILD. Other people with MND can sometimes tell you more than 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 >> Carers >> Jenny - Interview 01 >> Her father was frightened and frustrated that he couldn't communicate. He could not use a keyboard. Talking to someone with no speech takes time and s

Jenny is the daughter of a man who was diagnosed in 2001 with motor neurone disease at the age of 81, and who died 4 months later. He was ill for a year before diagnosis.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - familial/inherited >> Liz - Interview 22 >> The first time she choked she was terrified. Now she manages it by staying calm. Choking is very unlikely to be fatal.

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 >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Peter - Interview 38 >> Sometimes he worries he has problems breathing or swallowing, but thinks it's really his imagination. It helps not to think too far ahead.

Peter was diagnosed three years ago (2004). Symptoms started in his arms and hands, and progressed to his legs. He now uses a wheelchair full-time.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Pauline - Interview 30 >> She got into a 'vicious circle' of anxiety, hyperventilating and imagining she couldn't swallow. She has to tell herself to stop thinking that way and

Pauline was diagnosed with PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) about 2 years ago (2005), after several years of leg weakness. She cannot walk far and uses a wheelchair, but is still able to work full-time.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Peter & Olivia - Interview 46 >> His daughter used to panic about breathing, especially when using the loo, but she could control it by concentrating her mind.

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 >> Carers >> Ann & Barry - Interview 48 >> Her husband uses a ventilator. She describes two frightening occasions when he briefly stopped breathing and she revived him. It happens sometimes whe

Ann's husband Barry was diagnosed with MND about 10 years ago (1997) at the age of 49, after two years of symptoms and tests. (Since identified as primary lateral sclerosis - PLS).

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Judith - Interview 12 >> She uses slippery nighties and a strap to pull her leg up to help her turn in bed. She advises people to accept when they need extra support, before t

Judith was diagnosed with Progressive Muscular Atrophy form of MND two years ago, after consulting two neurologists. Now she uses a wheelchair and mobility scooter.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Jenny - Interview 01 >> She worried how her father would die and feared he might choke on saliva, but she wants to reassure others that death was very peaceful. She wanted th

Jenny is the daughter of a man who was diagnosed in 2001 with motor neurone disease at the age of 81, and who died 4 months later. He was ill for a year before diagnosis.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Tess - Interview 44 >> When Tess first met Marcelin she was worried about getting too close and afraid of losing him. Now she sometimes forgets he has MND.

Tess met her partner, who had already been diagnosed with MND, when volunteering at a sailing club for disabled people. She now lives with him and is his main carer. (See Marcelin, MND37)

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Cordelia - Interview 13 >> Her consultant has reassured her about what the end of life will be like. She has some faith, but death is hard to come to terms with. She feels frigh

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 >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Maryse - Interview 06 >> She knows she's dying and so do her friends. It's frightening, but everyone has to die and she's lucky she has no pain.

Maryse was diagnosed March 2005. She was told she had 2-3 years to live. Within months she could no longer live independently and moved into a nursing home. Her speech deteriorated rapidly.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - familial/inherited >> Liz - Interview 39 >> Her quality of life is still good, but she's starting to worry about what lies ahead. Her philosophy is that without death and disease we wouldn't see

Liz was diagnosed with inherited form of MND in 2004. (Her father and uncle both had MND). Weakness in her legs progressed to her arms; she is now in a wheelchair. Her speech is unaffected.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 20-49 >> Michael - Interview 29 >> Coming to terms with the loss of a future is one of the hardest things, especially not seeing his children into adulthood.

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 >> Rarer forms - familial/inherited >> Liz - Interview 22 >> She made a joke about dying and her friend was so upset she didn't contact her for three weeks.

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 >> Harry - Interview 43 >> It is too frightening for him to talk to his wife about what will happen to her in future. His daughter has taken on this responsibility for him.

Harry's wife was diagnosed with bulbar onset MND two and a half years ago. She is now unable to speak. She finds swallowing very difficult, and has a PEG fitted.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Jenny - Interview 01 >> Her father had no religious belief and she didn't know how to console him. Our society is not good at talking about death.

Jenny is the daughter of a man who was diagnosed in 2001 with motor neurone disease at the age of 81, and who died 4 months later. He was ill for a year before diagnosis.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Pauline - Interview 30 >> She feels it's her right to choose when to die, if her quality of life becomes poor. She worries about how she might die and about losing dignity. Med

Pauline was diagnosed with PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) about 2 years ago (2005), after several years of leg weakness. She cannot walk far and uses a wheelchair, but is still able to work full-time.