Amazing news followed by much less amazing news...

Last November, my lovely wife Jane and I joyfully welcomed our second child Asher, who joined his 4 year old sister, Thea. At the beginning of this year, we were devastated when Jane was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease or ALS. Jane’s arms and hands have lost some of their strength and her breathing muscles have weakened and she is using ventilation overnight and sometimes during the day. Jane has a wheelchair as walking is very challenging now, not great as she has never liked being pushed around! She needs assistance with all personal care and is unable, physically, to look after our gorgeous kids. We are now employing full time help during the day to make sure everyone's needs are met and to help Jess maintain her sanity!

Help Jane beat Stephen Hawking

Neurologists tell you that you have between 2-5 years to live. However, most days, through our networks, we hear of individuals diagnosed 5, 10, 20 and even 30 years ago who still have a life that they think is worth living. It's clear that with great healthcare, and hands on care, individuals can live comfortably for a significant number of years. We believe that with the best care available Jane will get to see her children grow into adulthood. We know so much more about this condition now than when Mr Hawking was diagnosed in 1963. He lived for 55 years although his doctors offered him just 2!!

The bankruptcy disease

The rub is that care is expensive and nearly all the treatments that are recommended by people doing well are funded neither by health insurance nor the National Health Service. Knowledge of the condition improves every year and hopefully Jane will still be with us when a cure is found. In the meantime, care costs us £4000 per month and treatments and medication another £2000. There is good reason why this is called the bankruptcy disease! At some point the NHS may help with the care costs, but for now we are having to pay for everything ourselves. So, medications, health treatments and care that can add good years to Jane's life is adding £72,000 ($95,000 USD, $147,000 AUD) onto our annual budget. I want Jane to be able to work with any specialist who she feels will be able to help without being concerned that we won't be able to afford our daughter's new school shoes.

Our kids need 2 mummies, not 1!

We ask you to give whatever you can, however small to help us do the best for Jane so that our 2 gorgeous kids get to grow up with both of their parents in tow, not just the pommy mummy. Please share in your own networks as people are kind, and some will give a little something to a dear friend of a dear friend when invited to. If you might consider setting up a modest monthly payment, please get in touch directly.

Your love and support give us hope

Beyond financial assistance, your support offers something even more precious: hope. It tells Jane that she is not alone in this fight, that she has a vast crowd of caring friends and family rallying behind her, lifting her up with love every step of the way. Your help will enable us to face this MND/ALS diagnosis with strength, grace, and hope. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to providing Jane with the resources she needs to shower our kids with love every day and to support Jess with the responsibilities of running our home and family.

Thank you from Jane and all of us who love her xxxx