Studying Motor Neurone Disease

A researcher at Edge Hill University is raising cash for a cause close to her heart.

Mary O?Brien, a former nurse specialist for motor neurone disease, who is a research fellow at the University took part in the Venice Marathon to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and has exceeded her target of £400.

Mary is exploring the writings of people who suffer from the degenerative disease, in order to find out more about what it means to live with the condition, which is fatal in every case and causes paralysis and speech problems, even though mental capacity is not impaired. Motor Neurone disease can strike people of all ages and eventually affects the ability to breathe.

"My study will help inform health professionals and carers of those with motor neurone disease," said Mary. "I am investigating the existing writings of sufferers to build up a picture of the associated affects and hope to publish my findings when I complete the study in 2008."

Motor Neurone Disease has been highlighted in recent episodes of TV hospital drama Holby City and has also hit the headlines relating to a number of suicide bids by sufferers including Dianne Pretty, who failed to challenge the UK?s laws on assisted suicide.

Mary is presenting her research findings to date at the International Motor Neurone Disease Symposium in Yokahome, Japan in December and has published her work in the British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing.

She has also collaborated with the Motor Neurone Disease centre in Preston on a major bid for funding, as part of a national patient benefit programme to carry out a three-year study exploring the personal experience of living with the disease.

"The disease not only affects the individual but also their families and carers who find it very hard to cope. My study is from an international position examining personal experiences of people world-wide and I hope the results will reveal new perspectives to living with the disease."

Mary?s Venice marathon fundraising campaign can be accessed at www.justgiving.com/maryobrien