Motor Neurone Disease Day marked in Bradford

Friday, 21 June 2019 16:00

Today, 21 June, is global awareness day for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) which will see some of the buildings across Bradford city centre illuminated in support.

MND affects the nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord that tell muscles what to do. Messages sent from the nerves gradually stop reaching the muscles which then leads to the muscles becoming weaker, stiffer and waste. MND affects all aspects of life including how you walk, talk, eat, drink, breathe, and those affected by it will react very differently and at differing speeds.

With MND there is no cure and it is life threatening and has to be managed day to day as best it can. There is a 1 in 300 risk of getting MND across a lifetime and can affect adults of any age, gender but is more likely to affect people over 50.

Bradford Council recently adopted the Motor Neurone Disease Association Charter and as part of this MND will be offering training and support to council members and staff over the coming months.

Cllr Valerie Binney, who sat as a councillor at Bradford Council, sadly passed away from MND and was supported by work colleagues right through to the end of her life.

Cllr Jackie Whiteley, who worked closely with Cllr Binney said:

Valerie Binnie was a dear friend and colleague at Bradford Council and a former Lord Mayor. Sadly, Valerie contracted MND which is an incurable disease. Her strength of character and her Christian faith helped her to cope with loosing firstly, her ability to speak and then her mobility. I never heard her complain once and she was determined to adapt in anyway she could to continue serving the residents.

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