Doddie’s pit-stop for Arryn (19)
St Ninians teenager Arryn Widd had the chance to meet with former Scottish rugby players Doddie Weir and Richie Gray recently.
The sporting stars are on a Land’s End to John O’Groats and Highland Way charity challenge and stopped off in Stirling.
Doddie was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year and is helping raise awareness and funds for his foundation.
However, he also kindly agreed to split funds raised with Muscular Dystrophy UK as one of the team members who also took part in the challenge, Andrew Stirling, has a son, Ben, with Becker muscular dystrophy.
Arryn, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, went to meet them with dad Dean, Scotland regional development manager for Muscular Dystrophy UK, mum Yvonne and sister Mia.
The 19-year-old was five when in July 2003 he was diagnosed with Duchenne. He lost the ability to walk at the age of nine and now uses a wheelchair full time and has restricted mobility.
He has previously been nominated for a Disability Sports Award for playing boccia, a paralympic sport for athletes with disabilities that have a major impact on motor skills and was also a baton bearer for the Commonwealth Games. memories. It is not about spoiling him, but in 10 years’ time or so it could be logistically impossible to do some things with him, like going on particular holidays and trips, plus we also want him to experience certain things while he can still make the most of them and won’t be left wishing he had done them sooner. “We try to make sure things are focused on what he can do and not what he can’t. While in one way you have to deal with things day to day, you also have to look ahead which can be hard.” His parents say while on being given the diagnosis their world seemed “empty, unfair even cruel” what keeps them going is the smile and giggle that never leaves Somhairle’s face. “He knows his muscles work differently,” said Gerry. “The best they can really do is to put him on high steroids to try to preserve the muscles for as long as possible. “But he is outgoing - a real Mr Charisma!” “His nursery have been brilliant and he is going to an amazing mainstream primary school after the holidays that is a new build and fit for purpose
Dean and supporters of Muscular Dystrophy UK will be doing a bucket collection at the Stirling Tesco store on Saturday, August 11 from 9.30am until 4.30pm. Volunteers are needed to help with the collection, particularly in the morning.
Dean said:“We are looking for teams of two volunteers at any one time between these hours to help raise awareness and funds for muscular dystrophy. This will be a great opportunity to help spread the word about muscular dystrophy and the charity.
For further information call Dean on 07801 047974 or email d.widd@ musculardystrophyuk.org or see www.musculardystrophyuk.org/ events/ for his needs,” said Gerry, “We won’t have to have the sort of conversations in a few years time of how they might have to adapt the surroundings for him.”
Sarah added: “His physio is fantastic. She has advised us to preserve his energy so he can enjoy what he can. For example, if we were going to the park we would take him in his wheelchair so that once he got there he still has enough energy to play. We have a blue badge for our car and it is difficult sometimes when people react to seeing Somhairle in his wheelchair then get out of it and do something.
“Hopefully if people knew the circumstances they would understand.”
Somhairle has always loved being active, especially dancing and running. While Gerry and Sarah say it is particularly hard to think he will eventually lose those abilities, they try to find different ways of channelling and adapting his interests for now and into the future.
Gerry added: “We were told that Somhairle himself will teach us such a lot, and he does that every day. Like other boys with Duchenne’s, he is a natural problem solver because he has had to be. He finds his own way of doing things. Like him, we have to try to look for solutions to help him have as full a life as possible.”