KeepRodRockin’

Keeprodrockin was originally set up to raise funds towards Rod’s life changing, standing, customised wheelchair. 

Rod was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy, MSA at the young age of 52. 

Sadly, Rod lost his battle with MSA and Covid 19 on 8th February 2021, he is now at peace and free to fly. 

Throughout his 5 year battle with MSA his  determination, alertness, optimism and wicked sense of humour were a source of inspiration to everyone around him. 

An extremely rare neurological condition, similar in it’s affliction to Motor Neurone Disease, but even more complex, affecting so many parts and functions of the body. Following an earlier diagnosis of Parkinson’s at the age of 45, Rod’s sharp mind continued to be fully functional and he understood everything around him but in his final 3 years he was unable to talk, move or swallow. 

Our lives became overwhelmed with MSA, but after 33 wonderful years of
marriage we never allowed the limitations to defeat us. We lived as full a life as possible, supported by Sam & Nick, our sons and Rod’s full time Carers.

The ability to stand, lie flat and constantly change position was absolutely essential to maintain Rod’s strength, circulation, pressure management, digestion and comfort. The only chance of achieving this was with a custom built, powered, standing wheelchair, an Easyrise Genie V.2. This wheelchair allowed us to enhance life for my wonderful husband, as much as was feasibly possible, giving him the freedom to enjoy his passion for live music and sport, and experience life outside of the home. Once again he could stand and look people in the eye,
something so important for social interaction and self esteem and even more crucially this brought him so much relief for his hourly positional changes, during physiotherapy and provided the conditions for complete rest.

The full cost of the powered wheelchair was £13400.
Thanks to the amazing fund raising efforts so far, we have now covered the cost of Rod’s customised wheelchair and all funds raised now will benefit the registered charity Keeprodrockin, funding more customised wheelchairs and supporting other families with MSA.


Unfortunately due to the rareness of this disease many avenues of
funding were not open to us and our local health authority could not provide anything but a basic wheelchair. Rod’s very special wheelchair can now serve someone else with this similar cruel neurological disease.

The impact on our lives was beyond comprehension but despite the daily hurdles, Rod’s mental strength was unbelievable. From the very day of diagnosis we lived in hope of a cure,
never allowing MSA to take away any opportunity to spend precious time with our family, laugh with brilliant friends and get out and about. When Rod was diagnosed he said he was a man with an extremely unlucky diagnosis, not a death sentence, but a chance to live.