"Go home and enjoy eating, drinking and walking while you can"

Imagine being told these things by a doctor, well that is exactly what happened to my father in May 2008 as he was given the diagnosis of  Motor Neurone Disease. The news came as a devastating blow to my father and to us as a family, as these simple activities which we all take for granted would soon become impossible. Motor Neurone Disease is a degenerative muscle wasting condition that is usually fatal within 2-5 years of diagnosis.

My father at that time was an extremely active and fit 70 year old who walked the moors and woodlands around Devon and Somerset on a weekly basis, often covering over 6 miles of challenging terrain. His other passion was carpentry and he had turned his shed into a workshop and would spend hours making furniture and toys for his family. As you can imagine, this was devastating news for him to bear. Now he faced a future where his body would quite literally waste away before him, yet his mind would remain as active as ever. A less stronger person may well have just given up then and there; but not my father.The courage, bravery and sheer determination which he showed throughout the years he suffered with the disease was inspirational to us all as a family and to his many friends. His unshaken optimism and sense of humour was not darkened by this horrendous disease and the ever increasing hold it began to have upon him. He never gave up and carried on fighting until the end-even having a drink in a pub which he loved only a few days before he passed away on Saturday 30th October 2010. He did not let the disease get the better of him. My family and I inspired by his strong example, want to honour his memory and raise money and awareness for the two charities which were there for him when he was most in need. You do not realise how much invaluable support they provide until a time comes when you need them most.

During the very latter stages of my fathers life, he spent a week at HospisCare Mid Devon, in Exeter. Here he was provided with five star care and individualised attention. They provided a home from home evironment, where nothing was too much trouble. He was given home cooked hot meals and a private room where he could get some much needed rest coupled with the best medical care and the friendliest, warmest staff. But it was on his last day of is life that they gave him the greatest gift. Allowing him to die with dignity, surrounded by his family even though during that period the Hospice had many patients and very limited space. But it was his last wish and was respected by all the staff who had taken to his wicked sense of humour.

In honour of my father’s memory and his love for the great outdoors, my family and I have chosen to trek up Mount Snowdon along one of its most challenging routes-the Watkin Path on April 30^th 2011. The climb of 3,3ooft will take us a maximum of 8 hours from start to finish and will cover approximately 8 miles.

 We would appreciate any contribution however small, to raise as much money as we possibly can for this valuable cause and the work which the Hospiscare Mid Devon do. We are also raising money for the Motor Neurone Association please see our other page for details: www.justgiving.com/hubbardfamily-snowdontrek

 

Thanks for your support!