Father Diagnosed with Terminal Condition After Noticing Symptom at Swimming Pool
Danny Tucker was just 39 years old when he received the devastating news that he had motor neurone disease (MND), a significantly life-shortening neurological condition that causes motor neurons to stop working.
Alarm Bells at the Pool
Months before the formal diagnosis in March, Danny first noticed troubling weakness in his shoulder and arms. The situation became alarmingly clear when he found himself unable to lift one of his two young sons out of their local swimming pool, sparking immediate concern and leading to medical investigations.
Family's Struggle for Home Adaptations
Sarah Tucker, Danny's 35-year-old wife and a midwife, has been leading efforts to adapt their family home in Romsey Close, Strood, to accommodate Danny's rapidly deteriorating condition. The family applied twice to Medway Council for financial assistance with the necessary alterations, but were rejected on both occasions, reportedly because both Sarah and Danny were employed.
"MND causes messages to stop reaching muscles and leads to increased weakness and paralysis," Sarah explained. "There is no cure."
Rapid Deterioration and Mounting Challenges
Since the diagnosis, the family says Danny's condition has deteriorated far faster than they anticipated, creating mounting daily challenges. Their current home has become unsuitable as Danny can no longer use the stairs, necessitating the creation of a downstairs space that can accommodate a wet room and specialist equipment.
"It has been incredibly difficult coming to terms with Danny's diagnosis," Sarah said. "In such a short time, Danny's condition has progressed much quicker than we have been prepared for, and we are continuing to face many challenges."
Crowdfunding Success Beyond Expectations
With traditional funding avenues exhausted, the family launched a crowdfunding campaign as what Sarah describes as a "last effort" to prepare for Danny's changing needs. While their original target was £6,000, the response has been overwhelming, with more than £21,000 raised to date.
"It's our final option," Sarah admitted. "It's not something we wanted to do as we're quite private, but we had no choice."
Working Against Them
Danny, now 40, has continued working from home as an estimator for a ventilation company, which Sarah believes has counted against them when seeking formal support. Applications to other potential sources of help, including television programmes like DIY SOS, have also proved unsuccessful.
Hopes for the Future
Sarah hopes the home adaptations will allow the family to remain in the home they love and focus on spending precious time together. "Having the necessary adaptations will drastically improve our living situation," she said. "We desperately want to stay in the family home that we have worked so hard for, and where we can focus on making precious memories in the time we have together."
Understanding Motor Neurone Disease
Motor neurone disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing messages to stop reaching muscles. Early symptoms often include:
- Stiff or weak hands – difficulty holding or gripping objects
- Weak legs and feet – problems with stairs, frequent tripping, or foot drop
- Muscle twitches, spasms or painful cramps
As the disease progresses, individuals may experience:
- Problems with breathing, swallowing and speaking
- Excessive saliva production
- Mood and personality changes
- Loss of mobility and walking ability
The family continues to navigate what Sarah describes as "a real emotional rollercoaster" with good days and bad days. "We're a normal family which has been dealt rubbish cards that we've got to make the best of," she said.
Medway Council has been approached for comment regarding the family's applications for support.
