From Trapped Nerve to Life-Altering Diagnosis: A Couple's Journey with MND
Andrew Chadwick, a 53-year-old man from Preston, initially dismissed troubling symptoms in his legs as mere signs of ageing or a trapped nerve. The cruel reality, however, was far more devastating. In January 2025, Andrew first noticed his legs becoming unusually stiff, leading to a fall that resulted in a fractured rib. Alongside his wife Joanna, 55, they initially suspected a trapped nerve might be the culprit, but as his mobility continued to deteriorate, medical investigations revealed a heartbreaking truth.
The Gradual Realisation and Hospital Referral
"It all started after we went to a football match, and Andrew fell over a kerb," Joanna recalled. "Then he fell over again after he went to pick up a dog crate from Facebook Marketplace. He continued to struggle with walking, but we just thought it was his age, or he had a trapped nerve or something." Despite these persistent issues, the couple maintained their initial assumptions until Andrew visited a physiotherapist who immediately recognised the urgency of his condition.
The physio referred Andrew to hospital, emphasising the need for urgent medical attention. What followed was a period of intense anxiety as Andrew underwent two weeks of hospital tests at Royal Preston Hospital. "He spent two weeks in hospital doing tests, nobody was telling me anything," Joanna remembered. "When Andrew got diagnosed with MND, I was devastated. I put my head in my hands and Andrew started crying, I couldn't speak. Nothing prepares you for that."
Life After the Motor Neurone Disease Diagnosis
Motor neurone disease is a progressive condition that causes muscle weakness and can lead to significant difficulties with breathing and swallowing. Common signs include stiffness, walking problems, and muscle cramps, with the illness typically reducing life expectancy. Since his diagnosis in June 2025, Andrew's health has declined considerably. He is now unable to walk unaided and requires assistance with basic daily tasks.
"Since the diagnosis, Andrew's condition has worsened," Joanna revealed. "He now can't walk anywhere without a walking aid, even in the house. He's missed his walker a few times and fallen on the floor, he looked so helpless with tears in his eyes, he couldn't get up again." In November 2025, Andrew's feet collapsed beneath him while exiting the car, resulting in head injuries that required an A&E visit.
Daily Challenges and Medical Management
The physical demands have forced Andrew to abandon his career engineering circuit boards, while Joanna now assists him with dressing and prepares his meals before heading to her NHS admin job. "It takes him half an hour to get dressed; his legs are so stiff, so I put his socks on for him," she explained. "I have to make his lunch before I go to work, because he can't cut meat up, or butter bread."
While there is no cure for MND, Andrew manages his symptoms with two daily medications: Baclofen, which relaxes his muscles and eases leg stiffness, and Riluzole, which slows the disease's advancement. Despite the progressive nature of his condition, the couple maintains a determinedly positive outlook.
Transforming Tragedy into Positive Action
"We're not letting it get us down though, and we're living positive instead," Joanna stated emphatically. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to defeat them, Andrew and Joanna have channelled their energy into fundraising for the MND Association and championing greater awareness of the condition. They have organised charity evenings and participated in a sponsored walk on MND Awareness Day, with Joanna determined to help Andrew cross the finish line.
In a remarkable display of courage, Andrew is planning to complete a sponsored skydive in May to support the charity. "We want to raise awareness for people with MND, and show that even though you've got this horrible, cruel disease, value life," Joanna explained. "We're raising money for the MND Association, and Andrew is doing a sponsored skydive in May. We just want to give back and help other people."
The couple's journey from dismissing symptoms as a trapped nerve to facing a life-limiting diagnosis has transformed into a powerful mission of awareness and support for others affected by motor neurone disease.
