Help Joe Have A Better Quality Life.UK

Joe suffers with a rare muscle wasting disorder (Myotonic dystrophy DM1) affecting around 9000 people in the UK. Born on Sept 14th 1964 and raised in Barnsley, he joined the Royal Navy where he had a successful career, serving on HMS Illustrious and 4 Type 42 Destroyers seeing active service in the Iran – Iraq war, the Gulf war 1991 and the Adriatic Conflict (Bosnia). Reaching the rank of Petty Officer, Unfortunately after 15 years exemplary service he was medically discharged due to his medical condition. He then worked for the Royal Mail as an Operational Manager, where he was employed within Southampton & Portsmouth Mail Centre’s, as well as Chichester & Shirley Delivery Office’s. Sadly due to his Illness Joe had to medically retire in July 2010.

As Joe deteriorates, simple daily tasks we take for granted he finds exhausting, and now needs modifications to his home to help him maintain a quality of life and remain as independent as possible. He desperately needs a custom-made stair lift, his bathroom converted into a wet room and a mobility scooter, as he can no longer drive. (He does have a travel scooter but this is small and not suitable for the day to day activities ) The total costs of these modifications is Approx. £13k. Joe and Lynne have already kindly been donated £4000 from various Charities (Elizabeth Finn Care & Royal Naval Benevolent Fund).

Its Joes 50th birthday in Sept and would be a wonderful gift for him to know that the funds are in place to start the modifications his house needs. This would also give his loving wife Lynne the peace of mind, that Joe is as comfortable as possible whilst dealing with his condition. This Facebook page has been set up to raise the remaining funds required to make this possible.

There will be various fundraising events taking place; His son Joel who is currently living in Australia plans to do an Australian Tough Mudder, John Cross (one of his best friends) & Paul Holland are doing a Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge, his daughter Becky will be doing various Summer Fêtes and car boot sales & Steve Lewis (Good friend from his Navy days) will cycle from Lands End to Portsmouth with friends from work (250 mile). Please Like this page, send a link to all of your friends on Facebook, and help make this possible.

To find out more about Myotonic Dystrophy click on the link below.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myotonic_dystrophy
2. http://www.myotonicdystrophy.com/pdf/myotonicdystrophyUKfact%20sheet.pdf