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• 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 >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Pauline - Interview 30 >> She had lengthy investigations and an operation for a spinal cyst which made no difference. Eventually she was told she had MND.

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 >> Rarer forms - PLS (primary lateral sclerosis) >> 'Speedy' - Interview 19 >> For months she had no idea it might be MND. In a way 'blissful ignorance' was good, but she wishes someone had told her to make the most of life while

'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 >> Kim - Interview 10 >> She would have liked physiotherapy as soon as she was diagnosed, to stop her leg muscles getting so tight, but she knows it cannot slow progression.

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 >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Sylvia - Interview 25 >> When she first noticed something was wrong it felt as if she had 'forgotten how to walk'.

Sylvia was diagnosed a year ago in 2005, after noticing difficulties walking. She can move around at home with a trolley, and uses a wheelchair or scooter outdoors. She uses non-invasive ventilation regularly.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> Carers >> Mary - Interview 04 >> Her husband thought the aching in his legs was because he wasn't used to doing physical work. She noticed changes in his memory and emotional reaction

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 >> Carers >> Jenny - Interview 01 >> Looking back her father had several symptoms before they noticed something was wrong. It was hard to tell what was unusual and what was old age.

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 >> One day when out running she noticed she couldn't control her left leg. She began tripping over a lot, but put it down to clumsiness.

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 >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Derek - Interview 27 >> He first thought something was wrong when he noticed muscle twitching when playing golf. One time he missed the ball and fell over.

Derek was diagnosed 5-6 years ago (2001 or 2002). His arms and legs are affected but he is still able to walk unaided round the house. Finds his memory for words is being affected.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Maryse - Interview 06 >> She took up flying lessons but had to give up when she noticed her leg was becoming floppy.

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 - PLS (primary lateral sclerosis) >> 'Speedy' - Interview 19 >> She had foot drop and aching leg muscles at first. Later, she began having balance problems and noticed rapid muscle contractions, especially when dri

'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 >> 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 >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Judith - Interview 12 >> She has adapted to changes in her arms and legs. She managed cooking by getting her husband to lift heavy pans and hot dishes. She took up hobbies whi

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 >> Rarer forms - PMA (progressive muscular atrophy) >> Roland - Interview 17 >> He tries to keep warm and avoid falls - his arms are too weak to break his fall. He uses his head to operate the shower, and has learnt to 'throw his

Roland was diagnosed 7 years ago (1999) with Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA) form of MND. His hand muscles are affected but not his speech.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Ken - Interview 15 >> Gradually he found it harder to get up from sitting, and he had several falls. His wife can't lift him but buying a lightweight mobile hoist has helpe

Ken was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) form of MND 5 years ago (2002). His arm muscles were affected first, followed by his leg muscles. His speech is not affected and his condition has progressed more slowly than he originally expected.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 65+ >> Shyam - Interview 35 >> He fell halfway up the stairs. He crawled to his alarm call buzzer to get help. Now he has a stairlift. Ideally he needs one wheelchair upstairs and o

Shyam was diagnosed with MND about six months ago (2006). He has difficulty walking and uses a wheelchair. His speech is slowing down and his voice is changing.

• Nerves & brain >> Motor Neurone Disease >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Peter - Interview 38 >> He fell on the stairs and within a year could no longer walk. His hand is too weak to operate a scooter. He tried to keep mobile and resist using equi

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 and her daughters laugh about it when she falls over. Life is too short to get upset about it.

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 >> 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 >> ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/MND aged 50-64 >> Penny - Interview 11 >> Using an electric scooter out of doors was hard to accept but it gives her more freedom. At home she still walks. In the kitchen she's found a kettle

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 65+ >> Derek - Interview 27 >> It saddens him that they can no longer have sex, but he tries to cuddle his wife and be as physical as he can.

Derek was diagnosed 5-6 years ago (2001 or 2002). His arms and legs are affected but he is still able to walk unaided round the house. Finds his memory for words is being affected.