MND/ALS Support Group

In motor neurone disease (MND), motor nerves become damaged and eventually stop working. Therefore, the muscles that the damaged nerves supply gradually lose their strength. There are various subtypes of MND. In each type, symptoms tend to start in different ways. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms of each type of MND tend to overlap. This means that symptoms in the later stages of each type of MND become similar.

The main types of MND are:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is the classical MND and the most common type. Symptoms tend to start in the hands and feet. The muscles tend to become stiff as well as weak at first.
• Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP). The muscles first affected are those used for talking, chewing and swallowing (the bulbar muscles).
• Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA). This is an uncommon form of MND. The small muscles of the hands and feet are usually first affected, but the muscles are not stiff.
• Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS). This is a rare type of MND. It mainly causes weakness in the leg muscles. Some people with this type may also develop clumsiness in the hands or develop speech problems

For more information about MND, please click here.

Source: http://patient.info/health/motor-neurone-disease-leaflet

Support Group

The MND/ALS Support Group meets quarterly, and aims to provide a platform for peer-to-peer and inter-professional learning. This is run by healthcare professionals and volunteers to provide education, care and support for carers and people living with motor neuron disease, and provide a network for service provision. Each meeting includes an introductory talk, mass exercise and discussion around a pre-identified topic of interest.

Contact [email protected] for details.