A former security guard who became unwell while working a shift at a Glasgow nightclub says he 'lost everything' after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Stuart Abel, from Kirkintilloch, was on shift at Sanctuary nightclub when he noticed something was wrong - his arm dropped to one side and went stiff, in October 2021.
The 47-year-old was told he had the debilitating disease last November after losing strength in his right arm.
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The keen snowboarder and mountain biker was initially diagnosed with dystonia - a condition which causes muscle spasms - and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) before his symptoms worsened, the Record reports.
He said: "I was working at Sanctuary nightclub in October 2021 and I felt my right arm drop to the side. I couldn't move it and thought it was strange but it happened again later that night.
"I realised my mobility wasn't right and I wasn't strong in one arm. I went to the doctors and was diagnosed with dystonia. I thought I could live with that.
"It started to get worse so I went back to the doctors and they told me I had Functional Neurological Disorders. It's rarely life limiting so I thought I'll just need to get on with things.
"Five months later in November I realised I could see bone moving in my shoulder. It looked like my muscle was wasting away.
"I was given an emergency appointment with a neurologist and admitted to hospital. They ran a number of tests on me over the next few days and then I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
"I was absolutely gutted."
Stuart was forced to give up his passion for extreme sports and his new company after his mobility became seriously affected.
He continued: "I lost everything after I was diagnosed.
"I had recently taken over a blind fitting business. I had to give it up very quickly and lost all of my initial investment.
"I have always been a very active guy and love extreme sports. I've been training Muay Thai since I was 17 and regularly go snowboarding, mountain biking and jet skiing.
"Now I can't hold onto the handlebars of my bike, keep my balance or throw a punch. I've had to give up everything I love.
"It is a demoralising and depressing diagnosis but I am still here and still breathing."
Stuart recently visited a holistic retreat in Peru and hopes to try alternative stem cell treatment abroad to slow the progression of the disease.
He has launched a fundraiser to cover the cost of his treatment and plans to document his journey for other MND sufferers and their families.
He added: "If the stem cell treatment is successful then I'd love to help others in the same situation pay for their own treatment with leftover funds."
Donations to the fundraising page can be made by clicking here.
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