Stockport man with Motor Neurone Disease walking 15,000 steps a day in January
By Alex Greensmith
26th Jan 2024 | Local News
A Stockport man is raising awareness for a disease he was diagnosed with last year.
Mo Lamsehchi, who last worked for a fibre optics firm in Manchester, is walking 15,000 steps every day this January.
This is to raise awareness for motor neurone disease, and to generate funds towards its research.
The charity challenge comes just over eight months after Mo was diagnosed with the condition, which affects the brain and nerves.
Stockport Nub News spoke with Mo over email interview - as he is unable to speak because of the disease - to find out more information about his fundraiser.
"I was diagnosed having Motor Neurone Disease (MND) one day before my birthday on March 28 2023," said Mo.
"My speech was deteriorating and I found it difficult to speak normally. By August, I suggested to my employer that I work part time and manage the contracts and other tasks but not engage with meetings and clients verbally, and finally by December my position became unattainable as I could no longer talk.
"I had never heard of MND in my life, and with the level of healthy life I had, could not even imagine having a disease that can turn my life upside down with six months. From negotiating high value contracts to not being able to say good morning to my loved ones."
The disease occurs as messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This makes the muscles weaken, stiffen and waste, which can affect how you talk, walk, eat, drink and even breathe.
The life-shortening illness has no cure, but symptoms can be alleviated to improve quality of life, and funds are always going towards its research.
"I have been an active person all my life and healthy one at that, if I might add," explained Mo.
"I used to play football up to the age of 55, and used to walk and enjoy the wild side of life at times. I think I can say that I have done most things in life from rowing, paragliding, riding helicopters to piloting light aircrafts. I want to emphasise a lot on my activities to show what has happened.
"I don't want to dwell on misery part of MND, but would like to remind anyone who reads this article to know 'This horrible disease has no prejudice.'
"From what I have seen it can affect young, old, rich, poor, healthy, sick, back, white or effectively anyone anywhere. So do not think 'Nah, I am healthy and it would never [affect me]."
According to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, six people per day are diagnosed with MND in the UK. Six also perish from the disease every day.
There is a one in 300 risk of getting diagnosed with MND in your lifetime.
Mo is the first in his family - as far as he is aware - to be diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
He lives in Stockport with his wife Bernadette, who works at in healthcare in Cheadle.
Bernadette is supporting Mo in his challenge, as well as their three sons which Mo describes as 'wonderful, proper gentlemen'.
Mo wants to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and has raised £510 for the Northampton-based charity so far.
On his Facebook fundraising page, he is posting daily updates of his step totals, and admitting 'it is getting harder every day', but he continues to persevere.
15,000 steps is roughly the equivalent of six to seven miles per day.
By the end of January, doing at least 15,000 steps a day means that Mo will have done at minimum 465,000 steps.
"It is very hard to do the 15k a day, as it does take it out on you," revealed Mo.
"There have been many occasions that while walking [on the challenge] people start chatting to you, and I have to use an app on my phone (I can't talk due to MND) to explain to them.
"I had one elderly gentleman who saw me in a local park, put his hand in his pocket and gave me few pounds saying please put it towards the charity and said sorry he had only that much. I gratefully accepted and thanked him obviously with my app."
The MND Association focuses on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They also have a helpline (0808 8026 262) for anyone affected by the disease, be it those diagnosed, their partners, children, friends, neighbours and more.
As well as the kindness of relatives, passers-by, and generous members of the public, Mo is also a Cheshire freemason, and will hope to get contributions from there as well.
You can click the link in this sentence to donate to Mo's MND Association Fundraiser.
Mo had this to say as thanks to those from Stockport - and beyond - who have donated.
"I love you all, you are example of the humanity finest, caring for fellow beings," added Mo.
"I would like to quote from the 13th century famous Iranian poet Sa'adi, these verses are depicted at the United Nations;
"Thank you all for your support and donations. I shall never forget.
"And thank you to you [Stockport Nub News] for your efforts to highlight this horrible disease. It is highly appreciated."
"Also thank you to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. God bless them, they have taken the rein of the leadership to ease the pain of people with the disease and provide assistance to the medical research team to try and find out a cure. God willing, they will. The best there is."
Before his diagnosis, Mo has done fundraisers to support children with special educational needs, but this is his first fundraiser to aid motor neurone disease.
"I hope so to do more fundraisers in the future for the Motor Neurone Disease association," he added.
"If I can and able to I shall do, especially now that I cannot work anymore and have time in my hands.
"I am from a Persian background and one story of my childhood schooling still has had a profound affect in my life. There is an old man planting a tree and a passer-by, Stops and asks; Old man you have one leg in the grave why are you planting a tree? For which the old man replied "Others planted and I benefitted and do, so others can benefit."
For those who wish to donate to the crowdfunder but are unfamiliar with online crowdfunding donation, you can email Mo ([email protected]) to donate via other methods, or donate direct on the MND's website (though this money won't shop up on Mo's grand total).
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