Andrew Cappaert and Alex Gibson: Challenging MND

Our speakers today were Alex Gibson and Andrew Cappeart from Challenging MND (ie Motor Neurone Disease).

Alex is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and Fitness Trainer who was also a top athlete, being a National Rugby Player and a GB Decathlete. About three years ago he noticed that his performance levels were dropping and he was eventually diagnosed with MND. This is a disease that affects the nerve fibres, causing loss of control over muscles and potentially the wasting of the muscles.

For most people the news would be alarming and for a top athlete it was devastating. His reactions went through the stages some people will find familiar from the Bereavement Cycle, including denial, grief and anger but leading in the end to acceptance. His message to fellow sufferers is “Stay positive! Adapt! Face your modified future! Stay strong!” These are definitely principles he has followed himself.

Challenging MND was founded when Alex’s friends decided to hold a Benefit Rugby Match for him. He said it should not only be for him but for other MND sufferers as well. The charity was formed to make this a reality. Andrew is one of the trustees.

Challenging MND’s main focus is on holding challenging events for MND sufferers to take part in to boost their confidence and create lasting memories. These include, for example:

• abseiling down The Orbit at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London;
• the Three Peaks Cycle Challenge, involving climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon and cycling 480 miles;
• pedalo cycling on waterways such as the Thames and the Chelmer &anp; Blackwater Navigation; and
• walking 52 miles in 25 hours.

Challenging MND has also donated £100,000 to the MND Association, primarily to help them with their activities for MND sufferers.

Alex has certainly stayed positive, even though he can no longer speak as fluently as he once did and is prone to several falls a day. He is an inspiration to all those hit by life-changing conditions. It was a privilege to hear from him.