A dad-of-two was diagnosed with an incurable and fatal condition after tripping on his left foot.
Chris Thurston used to play football and run half-marathons, but over a period of six months in 2017, he started struggling to balance and stop in his tracks, or he'd trip on his left leg. LFC fan Chris, 42, thought it might be a "trapped nerve" in his leg, but it was actually something known as 'foot drop', one of the early symptoms of motor neurone disease, with which he was diagnosed just before Christmas that year.
Like famous physicist Stephen Hawking, the Wirral man's condition was early-onset. He felt his 'life was over' after diagnosis, saying: "I was pretty devastated. You read everything and you start thinking the worst, you think, 'What's going to happen to my wife, my family my children? How long have I got? Will I be able to walk this time next year? It's one of the most devastating diagnoses you can probably get."
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Motor neurone disease is a rare, incurable and fatal condition that mostly affects people in their 60s and 70s. It occurs when brain and nerve cells called motor neurones gradually stop working. It causes muscles to waste away, resulting in difficulty walking, talking, breathing and swallowing. It sometimes causes uncontrollable laughter and crying in inappropriate situations.
Chris said it's "quite difficult" to accept he can't do certain things anymore as the condition progresses. He struggles to walk without a frame, or without a wheelchair if it's a long distance. He also can't help out at with washing or lawn mowing at home. Chris said: "Probably the hardest is not being able to go out and play football or go for a run or play football with the kids. That's the hardest thing, I would say, just having to watch while they play. You just find different ways to stay involved in those things."
He lives life as normally as possible, still helping out with his son's football team, attending his matches, and taking his kids to watch Liverpool FC play at Anfield. Chris tries to stay positive and not think too far ahead, saying: "Most of the time, I'm just pretty thankful I'm there at all really. There are people with this disease who don't have any of the life expectancy I've had, or hopefully will have. You've got to count your blessings even though you might say it's unlucky to have it."
Given how young he was at diagnosis, and how unpredictable motor neurone disease can be, it's hard to estimate how long Chris' life will be or how the condition will progress. He could still be here in 10 years time, and he has plenty of support to help him through. He's part of a Wirral-based support group, and he has an "incredible" volunteer from the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association to give him advice and help him access the right equipment and healthcare services.
But there's "a bit of a shortage" of these volunteers in places like Liverpool, so the MND Association is looking for more. A spokesperson for the charity said: "Being diagnosed with MND can be devastating news for people and their families, often people find themselves not knowing where to turn. One service the MND Association provides is support using trained volunteers.
"These volunteers (called Association Visitors) work closely with families affected by MND. They are a vital point of contact and provide emotional support, information and guidance to help families access services and grants. This support can be very rewarding for an Association Visitor and can make a huge difference in coping for those people affected.
"The MND Association is currently recruiting more Association Visitors to provide this essential support, particularly in the areas of Liverpool, Sefton, Saint Helens, Wigan and Warrington. If you think you might be able to help, or want to find out more information about volunteering opportunities with the MND Association, please visit our website, www.mndassociation.org/getinvolved, or contact Paula Sutton (Area Support Coordinator ) email paula.sutton@mndassociation.org or Tel Paula on 01604 800 639."
