Living with MND: Louise’s Story
At Forever Health Studios, we’ve always believed that being a gym is about so much more than exercise. It’s about community, friendship, support and being there for people through the good days and the difficult ones.
One of the people who embodies that more than most is our member and friend, Louise Atkinson.
Louise was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in September 2025. Since then, life has changed enormously for Louise and her family, but one thing that certainly hasn’t disappeared is her positivity, humour and determination to make every day count.
The diagnosis that changed everything
On 25th September 2025, after months of unexplained symptoms, GP appointments and hospital visits, Louise finally received her diagnosis. Her consultant warned her that he could be rather abrupt when delivering news, before telling her that he believed she had MND.
Louise simply replied:
“OK… what do I need to know?”
Rather than feeling shocked, Louise remembers initially feeling relieved that someone had finally worked out what was happening.
She was diagnosed with limb-onset MND, a progressive condition affecting the nerves in the brain and spinal cord that tell our muscles what to do. But from the beginning, Louise was determined that a diagnosis wasn't going to define her.
“They talk about life expectancy. But I’ve never believed that a number gets to define me. I just know I need to make every day count.”
Keeping active for as long as possible
Before MND, Louise was always busy and active. She jokingly describes herself as the former “Chief Executive of the Pink Jobs” – if something needed shopping for, cooking, washing, ironing, gardening or cleaning, Louise was the one getting it done!
She also worked for years as a sewing machinist and was very used to being independent. So, when MND began to affect what she could physically do, it was understandably difficult.
Louise continued coming to Forever Health Studios for as long as she could. Keeping active and maintaining her fitness was important to her, and we loved having her as part of the community.
In the earlier stages of MND, appropriate exercise and movement can still be beneficial. While exercise cannot stop or reverse the progression of MND, suitable activity can help maintain unaffected muscles, support flexibility and range of movement, and help with stiffness and discomfort.
However, it’s important that exercise is adapted to the individual, as over-exercising can contribute to fatigue. As MND progresses, what is appropriate will naturally change too.
Eventually, visiting the studio to exercise was no longer manageable for Louise, but even though she can no longer train with us, she is still very much part of the Forever Health Studios community.
Adapting to a different way of life
One of the hardest parts of MND for Louise has been learning to accept help. As someone who has always been independent and a self-confessed grafter, that hasn't come naturally, but she has come to see it differently:
“Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s making room for living.”
Louise continues to make the most of the support available to her, including hydrotherapy and reflexology through her local hospice. She also has an electric wheelchair, which has given her something incredibly important - freedom.
“People think a wheelchair represents losing independence. For me, it’s the opposite. It gives me freedom. It gets me out of the house, lets me see friends, make memories and keep living life.”
And throughout everything, Louise's sense of humour has remained firmly intact. She openly acknowledges that there are difficult days, but she refuses to allow them to take over:
“A bad day doesn’t have to become a bad week. Tomorrow is another chance.”
Celebrating life now
Perhaps nothing sums up Louise’s attitude better than her decision to organise her own “Fun-eral.”
Her reasoning was simple:
“Why should everyone wait until I’m gone to say lovely things about me? I’d much rather hear them now!”
She brought together family and friends for food, music and plenty of laughter. It wasn't about saying goodbye. It was about appreciating the people around her and celebrating life while she is living it.
Ness is taking to the skies for Louise
While we can't change Louise's diagnosis, we can continue to support her, whilst helping to raise funds towards research that could make a difference to people affected by MND in the future.
That's why, on 9th October, Ness Church from Forever Health Studios - and a friend of Louise's - will be taking on an incredible WING WALK to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
And this isn't going to be just any wing walk, as Ness will be strapped to the outside of an aeroplane while it takes to the skies. She is even going to ask on the day if they will let her undertake a loop the loop!
It's certainly not a challenge for the faint-hearted, but Ness is taking it on for a cause that means a great deal to her and everyone at Forever Health Studios.
The Motor Neurone Disease Association funds vital research as well as providing support and campaigning on behalf of people living with MND and their families.
For us, Ness's challenge is also about showing Louise that even though she can no longer come into the studio and exercise with us, she is still part of our Forever Health family and we're right there beside her.
Louise has shown incredible strength and positivity in adapting to everything MND has thrown at her. Now Ness is going to be showing a rather different kind of bravery - several thousand feet in the air, on the outside of a plane, hopefully doing loop-the-loops!
We'll be cheering her on… from the safety of the ground!
Everyday matters
Louise's story is a powerful reminder of something that can be very easy to forget when we're busy rushing through everyday life.
In her own words:
“Every single day matters. Every laugh matters. Every hug. Every conversation. Every memory.”
And perhaps the most important message of all:
“Don’t wait for the ‘right time.’ Don’t leave kind words unsaid. Go and live your life.”
Help us raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association
If you would like to support Ness's wing walk on 9th October, please donate and share the fundraising page with friends, family and colleagues.
Every donation, however big or small, will help support the work of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and vital research into this devastating disease.
Let's do this for Louise, and every other person fighting MND.
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