Ailsa’s Story.

At the age of 30, Ailsa was diagnosed with MND. Ailsa was given 2-5 years to live she has smashed through these years with her positivity and humour and now is going strong at 9 years. Ailsa has a daughter called Isabella who was just 6 when she was diagnosed and now is 15! Ailsa faces so many daily challenges that she just overcomes and doesn’t let it phase her, she does however, need to get outside. We as her PA’s and Isabella are trying to raise money for an electric wheelchair and maybe a sunny holiday somewhere.

Ailsa has faced many personal battles with motor neurone disease but the biggest battle has been her fight for getting professional help. With over 300 symptoms, most of which do not relate to symptoms of MND, we have pushed and pushed for a 2nd opinion only to be disregarded and left in limbo. This has happened with hospital and dental appointments (I won’t go in to too much detail as I could go on forever!) needless to say Ailsa has been failed and forgotten by the system.

Motor Neurone Disease (also referred to as ALS) is a rapidly progressing neurological disease. MND often begins with weakness of the muscles in the hands, feet or voice, although it can start in different areas of the body and progress in different patterns and at different rates. People with MND become increasingly disabled. Life expectancy after diagnosis is one to five years, with 10 percent of people with MND living 10 years or more.

Thanks to a very kind lady, Ailsa had a ceiling hoist fitted, and has a wheelchair accessible vehicle on the way. The only thing missing now is a wheelchair, which is what we are campaigning for. The wheelchair services have messed up providing Ailsa with a correct chair, supplying ones with zero suspension and could only be used indoors or in the garden. Ailsa has very high spasticity so every bump causes her to shake all over and lose control of her wheelchair. As you can imagine this can be quite scary! Ailsa has a manual wheelchair which is her backup, however its so uncomfortable and causes pain after just 10 minutes of sitting in it!

The wheelchair Ailsa wants is a Quickie Q500 M power wheelchair with add on accessibilities so Ailsa can use it herself.

Our target is £12,000, this will allow Ailsa to purchase the wheelchair and any add-ons she needs with it, such as joystick mounting for ease of access (Ailsa has very limited use of her hands.) More importantly, this will give Ailsa the freedom and independence she so desperately deserves and will allow her to feel like a part of society again.

Should we raise enough money for the wheelchair, Ailsa would also love to go on holiday with her daughter, something she hasn’t been able to do since Isabella was just a little girl. They both deserve it so much.

We (Ailsa’s carers) couldn’t wish for this more. Ailsa has become part of our family, all we want is for Ailsa to be able to lead a fulfilling and happy life. Ailsa is a kind, caring and devoted friend, daughter and mother, we all love her so much and want to see her happy. Sadly that isn’t possible right now when she is confined to her bed 24hrs a day and can’t enjoy the outdoors, visit places or do the things she loves. We want Ailsa’s life to be full of enrichment and joy as this is what being with her brings to us.

I want to thank you for reading Ailsa’s story and if you can donate you will be making such a huge difference in Ailsa’s life. Please share this with your family and friends!