Please support Mellanie

I’d like to introduce you to Mellanie & Tim.

Two of the loveliest people I have the pleasure of knowing. Below I’m sharing what this family is currently going through & I am calling out for help please.

On the 18th of October 2024 Mellanie had some horrific news no one ever wants to hear. Sadly Mellanie was diagnosed with MND otherwise known as motor neurone disease. This diagnosis has been made during the later stages of the disease & Mellanie has a life expectancy from today of approximately six months. This disease has progressed quickly where Mellanie is now struggling to eat, she is getting what they call a peg for feeding soon, she is fast losing her ability to be mobile this has been an extremely difficult time, it is absolutely heartbreaking as anyone could imagine.

Mellanie & Tim have a beautiful daughter who is 14, their daughter is also autistic. Both Mellanie & Tim have made a wonderful life together giving great attention to their daughter’s needs.

Since Mellanie’s diagnosis she can no longer work, Mellanie has been a beautiful member of the community serving her wonderful customers at the local fruit & veg market for many years, she has bonded with these people in her community & is very thankful for the years she has had with them.

Now though as a family their income is cut short & they are needing help financially to offset the costs that they’re now facing.

I have set this go fund me up for the purpose of raising funds for one of the most beautiful women I have had the pleasure of knowing, I write this with tears in my eyes heart on my sleeve feeling absolutely devastated at the fact that my sweet friend is going through this. If you can help with any donation no matter how small it would help both Mellanie & her family during this incredibly difficult, stressful, heartbreaking journey.

My hope is that these funds shall ease the burden of income loss to help pay rent/bills, help support the family, hopefully allow them a last family holiday together where they can make some beautiful memories as a family & lastly the one thing which I say I’m not wanting to face but to also plan for Mellanie’s funeral.

I know that one thing that will help ease Mellanie’s burden is knowing Tim wouldn’t have to struggle financially whilst taking care of their daughter & trying to maintain some normality after she is gone.

Mellanie is a mother & a wife who is trying to stay strong for her family during what must feel like a nightmare knowing there is no recovery, with just the hope that she may make the best of what little time she has remaining while those who love her try to make her as comfortable as possible.

A donation no matter how small will make a huge difference for this family or if you are not in a position to donate please share this with your family & friends. It will help spread the message regarding this disease to create awareness & possibly have others donate who are in a position to do so.

Many thanks for your support of my bestie & her family with love & kindness from

Carlie Howcroft.

Information below has been shared for understanding what may happen for those with MND (Motor neurone disease)

Symptoms of MND, you may have some or all of these listed below:

Muscle weakness, with loss of muscle mass (wasting) and both movement and mobility problems. Muscle cramps and spasms, including rippling sensations, known as fasciculation.Stiff joints, which limit range of movement, pain or discomfort, as a result of other symptoms (pain is not usually caused by MND directly).

Speech and communication problems, affecting how you speak, gesture and show expression, swallowing difficulties, affecting how you eat and drink, saliva problems, where thin saliva pools in the mouth or saliva becomes thick and sticky, weakened coughing, which makes it harder to clear the throat.Breathing problems, which can lead to breathlessness and fatigue,emotional lability, with inappropriate emotional responses, such as laughing when feeling sad. Changes to thinking and behaviour, for about half of those diagnosed with MND and this number increases in the later stages.

Bulbar onset motor neurone disease (MND) is a type of MND that affects the muscles of the face, throat, and tongue. It's also known as progressive bulbar palsy (PBP).

Symptoms;

Slurred speech

Difficulty swallowing

Changes in voice quality

Wasting, weakness, or stiffness of the tongue

Problems with the amount or thickness of saliva

Choking or coughing when swallowing

Gurgling sound in the voice after swallowing

Spilling food or liquid from the mouth or nose

Regurgitation

Shortness of breath while eating

Life expectancy

Life expectancy is between six months and three years from the onset of symptoms

Causes:

PBP is a type of MND that involves degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons in the medulla oblongata, an area at the base of the brainstem

Treatment:

Treatments include symptomatic and supportive treatment with neuroprotective agents, gentle rehabilitation, amantadine, and psychological support

Other considerations

PBP is life-limiting

In the later stages of PBP, other parts of the body like the arms and legs may become affected

Wild mood swings may also occur with little apparent cause.