Hello All

I thought you might like to be aware that this afternoon the MND Association has just launched the first ever UK broadcast advert created to raise awareness of MND.

http://www.sarahsstory.org.uk/

‘Sarah's Story' is our new awareness-raising campaign of the same name which we will roll out during 2009. The advert is currently being shown at over 50 independent cinemas across England and Wales.

Our hard-hitting advert features Sarah Ezekiel and after whom the campaign has been named, who of course is a regular contributor to patientslikeme. The film is intended to convey the emotional and physical impact of receiving a diagnosis of MND.

The 90-second film tells the story of a young woman who is suddenly ‘attacked' by MND. An actress plays the part of Sarah and as her body deteriorates, the actress's head is superimposed on the body of Sarah.

Its hard-hitting style is likely to shock some audiences. The aim is to stimulate viewers' curiosity to find out how they can help fight back against MND.

Our film has been created at virtually no cost to the MND Association, with extensive free support from within the advertising and film industries.

More information about the Sarah's Story campaign is at: www.sarahsstory.org.uk
More information about the campaign including details of when and where the advert will be screened can be found at:
www.mndassociation.org/sarahsstory

Very best wishes
Sarah

MND Association

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Z-Kkdl-tg

SARAH'S STORY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe2F3F_26gM&eurl=

Motor Neurone Disease (MND), in the majority of cases, is a rapidly progressive, fatal disease that can affect any adult at any time. The cause of MND is unknown and there is no known cure. MND affects around 5,000 people in this country alone at any one time. In the UK at least five people a day die from MND. Life expectancy for most people with MND is just two to five years.



SARAH'S
STORY
I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2000 at the age of 34. I was seven months pregnant with my second child and didn’t know anything about MND. I soon started to experience rapid loss of motor skills in all of my limbs as well as deterioration of my speech.
After several painful falls I started using a walking stick, then a frame, and now a wheelchair. I became a non-entity in my mind, and as my speech worsened, was treated as one by the majority of people.

I started attending my local hospice in April 2001 and they take care of all my medical and palliative needs. I attend their gym twice a week and believe that regular exercise has helped me to stay mobile. The hospice is a wonderful resource which has helped me to live and enjoy life.

One of the greatest things to have happened to make all this bearable was obtaining my laptop in 2005. Having been an extremely active woman, losing the use of my arms was devastating. I now use the program E Z Keys with a chin switch and I’m able to do everything on my laptop with ease.

I’m so pleased that I was able to take part in 'Sarah's Story'. I think the advert is shocking and disturbing and reflects the devastation that MND causes. I hope that it will raise more awareness and we will be nearer to finding a cure. The director and crew were very kind to me and let me try some scenes even though I wasn't sure whether I could manage them. Thankfully I did and I think that the film really shows the physical deterioration that MND causes to the body. I realise that I've been very fortunate to have stabilised but most people aren't so lucky.

Life with MND isn’t a bed of roses but with the right equipment and support I am managing it. I’m grateful for every moment with my children although I wish that I were able to do more with them physically. My greatest wish is to be around to see them grow up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe2F3F_26gM&eurl=



Visit the MND Association website - www.mndassociation.org

Living with MND
by: Sarah Ezekiel

Sarah Ezekiel
Sarah Ezekiel is appearing on the big screen in a new appeal to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease. Find out from Sarah what life is life living with MND and how her life has changed.

I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in April 2000 at the age of 34, whilst pregnant with my second child. In February 2000 my speech became slightly slower and my left arm weaker. My neurologist told me it was progressive and soon after my son was born I started to experience rapid loss of motor skills in all of my limbs as well as deterioration of my speech.

I think I tried every alternative therapy available and even went to the US in 2003 for stem cell treatment. Funds were raised for that trip at a bingo evening at my synagogue, Od Yosef Hai. I will always be grateful to the Jewish community for their help and support at that time.

I had been married since 1993, having met my South African husband on kibbutz. After my diagnosis he couldn’t ‘see me’ anymore. He soon became verbally and physically abusive and I divorced him in 2004. I have full custody of our children and we have peace now. My lovely mum and 3 brothers helped me through the worst times with my ex. He almost destroyed me but not quite.

My Jewish hospice doctor, is my hero, saviour and mentor. I fi rst presented myself to him as a crying, thin, miserable wretch and he’s pulled me through emotional and physical problems against all the odds. He’s seen me from day one when I had even lost sight of myself.

Rediscovery of my femininity, my strength and humour has been a great journey and I think that I am proof that a terminal illness isn’t the end. I had another relationship from 2005 until recently and learnt that I’m still an attractive, vibrant woman. Unlike some others in my situation I don’t want euthanasia. I don’t think I can choose when to die, so my only option is to get on with it and I do.

I can’t use my arms and hands anymore because they are too weak and operate my computer using the program E Z Keys and a chin switch. Technology has saved me! When Simon Donnelly came to take some PR photos for my computer company I immediately felt that he could capture the way I feel about MND. I think you will agree that he indeed ‘saw me’ and the complexity of my disease; that I still like to look funky and have an exuberant
love of life.

MND is a devastating disease and the MND Association are raising money to fund vital research that will hopefully lead to a cure. Raising awareness of MND is very important to me and I recently presented to health professionals at Birkbeck University.

To those people who pity me (and I know who you are!) please don’t because I love my life just as it is.

Find out more at: www.sarahsstory.org.uk

The MND Association, creatives, actresses and crew discuss the rationale behind the making of this powerful film.


The Making of Sarah's Story
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v17354169...kD?confirmed=1