The son of a woman who may soon be diagnosed with a life-changing illness has opened up about his mother’s illness and his efforts to help her maintain her independence. Dan Cutchi, from Barrie, said her mother, Joanna, fell ill in October 2022.
A 50-year-old woman’s symptoms began when she experienced slurred speech and tingling in her extremities. Dan, 32, said: “My dad took her to the University Hospital of Wales where they said it was probably a temporary glitch and everything should go back to normal. Unfortunately, things have gradually gotten worse since then. being able to use his hands and his speech got worse”.
A few weeks later, Dan said his father, Michael, took Joanna back to the hospital, where she spent the next three weeks having tests. He said: “The second time he came they were lucky enough to see a neurologist who was about to finish the job. As soon as he met my mother and saw how she felt, how she moved and how she spoke, I think he understood right away. [there was something wrong] why he kept her that night. He told my mother that he would have tests in the next few weeks, so he stayed for about three weeks.
“We never got married because my partner died weeks after the doctors realized what was wrong.”
Joanna’s tests showed a neurological problem, which doctors believe to be motor neurone disease (MND) or spasticity. BND is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system and eventually leads to death, while spasticity is a condition that results in abnormally increased muscle tone or stiffness, which can interfere with movement, speech and cause pain. . You can get more health and other news straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters here.
Dan said his mother will receive an official diagnosis on March 28, but any outcome will have a profound effect on the family’s lives. “It was a big shock,” Dan said. “Naturally, he had a very positive outlook on the life I inherited from my mother and that’s what he’s showing now, although he swooned when he found out. We don’t know what it’s going to be like for her because she’s unpredictable.”
Dan now lives in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and said he has remained very close to his mum, who is also his son Roo’s grandmother. He said: “I know everyone speaks highly of their mother but my mother is an angel and spends her life giving back to others. We are still very close and we video call most days because I want my son and stepson to have a connection with her.”
Dan went on to say that Joanna will be attending the clinic regularly and that she has already been trained to use a voice device controlled by eye movements. She said that while her mother had a positive outlook on life, her illness meant she would have to quit her childcare job at the end of March, so she said she worked really hard for it.
(Image: Source: Dan Katchi)
Dan, a professional skateboarder, is now raising money to help his mother maintain as much independence as possible. He said: “My father was always there for my mother and wanted to sell the house to get a bungalow to make things easier for her. That’s why I want to do what I do, because they deserve to live in the house they have now because they built it together.
“He has already put up handrails and handrails to help her. Mom will also need a stair lift and I’m not sure how far OH will go to provide her with the accommodations she needs. She just wanted to raise money to help them out with maybe a stair lift or a bathroom or anything else they might need, especially when she loses her job.”
(Image: Source: Dan Katchi)
To help raise money for his mum’s future needs, Dan goes skateboarding from Leeds to Barry Island. It will depart on May 4th and the 300-mile journey will likely take about five days. Dan, owner of the Hellcomes skateboard company, will be taking a trip with his colleague Connor, who lost his mother to MND.
His friend, known as Rybo, will film the ride, while his partner Graham Stokes will follow with a support van carrying the group’s essentials. So far, the GoFundMe page has raised over £4,000. You can support the fundraiser here.
Dan said: “Skateboarding has taken care of me my whole life and now I’m asking everyone I’ve ever met and shared memories with to help me in any way they can. The support so far has been overwhelming.”
Source: Wales Online
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
