Geoff’s Story: ‘Thanks to Weldmar, my journey with Motor Neurone Disease is not frightening’
21st June 2024
< BACK TO NEWSGeoff Hall knew that there was something wrong. He consulted with a number of doctors, and a year later he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and referred to Weldmar Hospicecare, where he has been attending the charity’s regular MND Clinic for the past eighteen months.
“It was a shellshock,” explains Geoff, “but I was pleased to finally know what was wrong. I’m not pleased to have it, of course, but I couldn’t be in better hands now. When I first visited the clinic, I was introduced to a number of members of the team and made to feel very welcome. I was made aware of what was available for me, who was who, what was what, and who I could call.”
Individuals, such as Geoff, who have Motor Neurone Disease are referred to Weldmar at the point of diagnosis. The team at the long established consultant led clinic includes Jane, who leads the charity’s MND service and is a specialist occupational therapist, Charissa, Weldmar’s MND Nurse, and other specialists from Weldmar.
Geoff, whose symptoms are starting to progress, says, “They’re really nice people, and make me feel completely at ease. It’s a funny thing to say, but I almost feel like I’m part of the team there, part of the group, even though I’m the sick one. As well as the clinic, I see Charissa every month to six weeks, and know she’s always on the end of the phone. Jane has been out to the house and done various tests and assessments. Ramps for the house have arrived this week, and I’m being fitted for a wheelchair soon.”

Susan, Geoff’s wife, says it’s also comforting for her to know they are both in such good hands. “When Geoff was first diagnosed, I was fearful. To hear ‘Motor Neurone Disease’ is something of a body blow, and the ‘you’re going to a hospice’ bit really hit me, but you go there and it’s not all doom and gloom.
“It’s actually very positive and that has kept us going. It’s reassuring for me, because I can only do so much as a carer. You wake up in the night and wonder if you’re doing the right thing and making the right decisions, so it’s good to be able to ask about that.”
“I’m lucky,” says Geoff, “because I’ve got Susan and I’ve got the team. Weldmar’s support means an awful lot to me. I can get quite negative sometimes, but there’s so much support it’s difficult to stay negative. My journey isn’t frightening. There’s always someone to talk to, and always an answer.”
Thanks to Geoff and Susan for sharing their story, and we’ll continue to be there for them throughout their journey.
If you would like to share your own story of Weldmar’s care, please contact james.oneill@weld-hospice.org.uk. Stories can help local people understand more about what Weldmar do, and how it makes a difference, and right now, we need all the support we can get from our local community.
More about our MND Service
This video explains more about our regular MND Clinic.