The Eleventh Hour

It seems I’ve made a mistake. The chance to vote for #MYWBpledge did not finish at midnight last night, it finishes at midnight TONIGHT!

This is my last chance to encourage you to vote for me…

In the 70s I used my legs to bounce on my space hopper. In the 80s I used my legs to ride my Burner BMX. In the 90s I remember running across a road in West Yorkshire to get to the hospital to be part of the birth of my first born; Lucie. In the 00s I used my legs to walk down the aisle to marry the most beautiful woman I ever did meet.

Now, what does the future hold for my legs? I really don’t know.

I do know this; I intend to fill 2016 with fantastic memories for my girls. The whole point of me entering this competition is for my girls to see what can be achieved regardless of what some might say is difficult and challenging circumstances. Also, I hope that what we are doing now will help somebody with my condition in a few years’ time. I hope that others don’t fall like I do, don’t feel weak like I do and don’t feel constantly exhausted like I do. I hope that many more people will be able to do all of what I’ve mentioned above because we’re raising awareness and funds right now.

I’m not a natural at what I do, every time I have gone onto a radio station I have nearly been sick, every time I’ve stood up in front of all my colleagues or any audience I have panicked so much my heart feels like it will pop out of my chest, it really doesn’t sit well with me to talk about this condition but it has to be done, otherwise nobody would ever know.

Since I started raising awareness I have kept a scrapbook, a portfolio of memories for Lucie, Olivia and Skye to look back on. It contains every blog, every newspaper article, photos, certificates and acknowledgements of our achievements. This is my legacy to them; this is how I’m trying to be the best Daddy I can be.

A saying I’ve heard often and stuck by myself is that if you do not like something in life then change it, if you cannot change it then change your attitude towards it, so that’s what I do. I cannot take any medicine, there is no prescription for me but what I do have is my family, friends and my challenges to keep me on my feet.

I’ve seen other parents score strikes when bowling to rapturous applause and joyous laughter “That was my Daddy’s strike”, I’ve seen other parents win a race at a school sports day “That was my Daddy that won that” as they lean to my youngest daughters ear and this is also something I cannot do, I can, however walk and so that’s what we’ll do. We will walk one mile-a-month to iconic sporting arenas and events in 2016 which is an Olympic year and also 50 years since England won the World Cup. Then my girls can say “That was my Daddy that walked that!”

I’m a very lucky man, everyone I have asked to help me in 2016 has been extremely accommodating with an ‘open arms’ attitude for which I am very grateful. This started in autumn of 2015 when I asked actor, Ralph Ineson to help with my very own short film to promote my intentions for 2016, he replied “It would be an honour to get involved” and this, with the help of friends, Paul Adams and Steve Richmond, is how we made this short film.

So far we have raised 36 hours of research in the first two months of this year and we’ve already made some fantastic memories and you can see them here.

https://flipagram.com/f/kf4hokUCIq

So you see this competition is imperative, it is an opportunity to take my Orange t-shirt on tour for all to see, so people can raise questions about the condition of which I can answer and to raise funds to treat others in the future.

This is not a vanity project; it’s not about me at all really. A very big reason is for this one picture right here, the people in it, our year ahead and the memories we’re going to make

This is a life changing opportunity to make my world bigger with The Discovery Channel UK and you can come with us too!

So, for the very last time of asking…

1. Vote for "Martin from Buckinghamshire"

2. Vote for two other people.

3. Fill out Name, email and phone number.

4. Hit "Submit"

5. When you receive a "Thank You!" you have successfully voted

http://www.discoveryuk.com/pledges/vote-now-2/

Thank you to everyone that has voted, shared, hit RT and encouraged others to vote for me, I’ll probably never be able to thank you all enough but you must know it’s appreciated from the bottom of my heart.

#MoveAMileForMuscles

#IfICanYouCanToo

On The Cusp of Something Great

I’m not sure why but this weekend feels like a half way point, for me. We’ve got 8 Weeks (!) until our ‘Mile for Muscles’ and yet I started to plan this in September last year. I have no reasoning for feeling like this but it feels good. 

As you’ve seen I have been asking people two questions and posted their participant profiles online. Who are you? Why are you taking part in mile for muscles? As I’ve said before now, these are entirely up to that individual and the answers are unedited (as you would have seen from Phil’s).

I’ve been so impressed with so many friends and family and I feel very humbled by some of the things that have been said. I just want people to know about these conditions and try to help a little, that’s all.

Michelle is now part of a running club and I couldn’t be prouder, as I said already, it doesn’t matter how slow she runs, she’s faster than the Michelle from one month ago. Our friend Marie started to text me last weekend to tell me that she wanted to organise a raffle and take all the hassle of it away from me. Marie posted about that on social media, said who and what it was for and had gifts at her feet within minutes. Paul Adams is cracking on with the music element for ‘Music for Muscles’ and Val, the landlady of the Aristocrat is always asking what she can do for us and if I’m ok with everything. My father-in-law, John, will be making sandwiches and more to keep everyone fed on the day and with all this I’m starting to feel a sense of unity. This really hit home with me after I posted a profile last weekend of my friend Hayley and Nathan Still put the comment ‘Welcome on board’, something so simple but kept me smiling for ages! I really enjoy seeing things like that. We are a team and everyone should be celebrated for what they are doing, that means now and on the day, so I second what Nathan said and I say it to all of you with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.

One thing I must put some emphasis on and forgot to last week was the fact that people are travelling to do this and not from just round the corner either. Last weekend I also did profiles on Gray and Jo. Gray will be coming from Lancashire to run his mile and Jo will be coming from West Yorkshire to run her mile, with family in tow too. I think that’s massive and I apologise for not mentioning it before now. 

Runners from all over the UK, incl the fantastic Jo!

Since doing these profiles I’ve had two people get in touch with me that wanted to raise the bar even more, to challenge themselves, to help us. Dean Murray was going to originally cycle a mile on his bike but has now decided to cycle the whole 26 miles and he also wants to try to do this in less than 90 minutes. I’m speaking to MD UK at this minute to get you a cycling shirt, Dean. Thank you!

You may also remember Mark Sammon who I introduced as one of our elite runners. Mark was moved by BBC newsnight this week which featured the story about Translarna, a drug which needs funding for boys with Duchenne. Mark commented on Facebook, “I watched this tonight and it really brings home the anguish of the parents – we must do more! I have an idea and I’ll message you about it tomorrow.”

Mark, The Marathon Man, with wife, Lou

Like Dean, Mark has challenged himself because he can (his own words), Mark has decided to run a marathon that day. Mark will run 26.2 miles as if he was in London doing it officially and as far as I know, nobody has ever run a marathon for charity in Aylesbury before. Also, Mark wants to add an element of fun and competitiveness to this, he would like to ‘Race the Relay’. Who will be fastest, us or Mark? 

All this information will be added to and adjusted on our team Just Giving page.

So we have a few more elements added to what I hope is a great day and people are really overwhelming me with support and care.

Mark will set off at 11:00 or 12:30 depending on the weather. My daughter, Lucie will start the relay at 12:00 and Dean will set off at 14:00, so we will all, hopefully, finish near the same time.

The hardest part of any charity event, for me, is asking people for donations and money. I must say this has been a little different; I’m arranging lots of different parts of this marathon and that’s great, busy but productive and full of positivity. The problem I have is actually walking but I’m told not to worry as we have a wheelbarrow ready to get me to the finish if needs must. I won’t let that happen.

I’m like the rest of you, I’m in training for a very special day and it bloody hurts. I am trying to walk the last mile of this marathon and it might not seem like much but it is when you can hardly walk at all. A great runner once said to me ‘A challenge is a challenge because it’s relative to that person’. If anyone could add any money or share our page and our story with others then that would be greatly appreciated. The target is set to what it is because that equates to one full week of research paid for by us and I think we can raise that much.

Imagine if a scientist had a 'eureka' moment and that was financed by something we did, together?

“Remember that day in 2015 when we raised that cash and funded that research, which found that treatment, fantastic wasn’t it!”

Thank you all, for everything. 

30/08/15

#MileForMuscles

#CountMeIn

TEXT:-  MMFM92 
             £5, £10, £20  (or any amount)
To:-       70070

https://www.justgiving.com/Martin-Hywood2

Walking Football.

For quite a while now I’ve been hearing about walking football, the concept seems to have gained a lot of momentum too recently with the help of a television commercial encouraging a group to use social media to get others involved and that’s what seems to have happened.

After about the 50^th viewing, I had become intrigued to the point of wanting to see if I could give it a go myself. First step was to find out what walking football was, who was eligible and on the back of the advice of the advert I took to social media to see if there was a group or team of walking footballers near me… and there was.

I first got in touch with Aylesbury United’s walking football club on Facebook, I asked when, where and who could play? “In two night’s time, locally and anyone” were the answers. That also applied to me, an ambulant disabled man, who could hardly walk at all. 

Over the next 48 hours this was something that I thought long and hard about. I’m always pushing myself physically but I’m getting more apprehensive about being alone or without any assistance when walking or just being out and about. My balance is terrible and my legs constantly burn and feel shaky to the point of always wanting to take the weight off, even after just a few steps. Luckily some advice from my wife got rid of those anxieties in just a couple of sentences. Like every idea I have or challenge that I’m thinking about I always run it passed Michelle first and she will always comes back with a very honest opinion and in the case of walking football and my apprehension Michelle simply said “You need to concentrate on what you can do and not what you can’t, at this moment you can walk so you need to do this.” Well that was me told, wasn’t it?

18:55, a bitterly cold Monday night, in a car park next to an artificially turfed pitch.

I left the blistering warm, comfort of my car and made my way under the floodlights to meet Matt Doherty, the man I’d been talking to on social media about walking football and the manager of my local team. Matt briefly explained the rules and the fact that there was no discrimination here, it’s open to everyone but predominately over 50’s, throw in’s are roll in’s, no running, and that’s it. I initially told Matt that I would just be here to spectate as my legs were very weak and it had been a long day.

These were football supporters playing of many different clubs from Barcelona, both sides of Manchester, lots of London clubs, myself in my Leeds top and Matts very own Aylesbury United of the Evo-stik southern league. There was also a big variation in age with the players, youngest being late teens to the oldest being 79 years old.

I spent most of the game walking up and down the line and listening to all well mannered teasing, mockery in an air of persiflage. Running was definitely not allowed and it was made obvious that it would result in a free kick. I must admit it was funny seeing people trying their best not to run. One thing I must say though is that when there was a fall or a player went down to the ground then play was stopped and the players welfare was the biggest concern and taken care of by everyone, brilliant.

It was near the end, with 15 minutes to go that I felt itchy feet and an urge to get on the pitch. I couldn’t possibly call it a night without getting involved and giving it a go so I gestured to Matt that I wanted to give it a go and I was on. Left wing with absolutely no chance whatsoever for the first 5 minutes, sheer frustration. My head knew what I needed to do but my legs weren’t interested. Walking too slow and the ball went out, late kick and miss, ball went out. I just wasn’t quick enough. Eventually I got the ball a couple of times and got rid of it as quick. I felt like a funambulist with no balance bar at all, completely alone and vulnerable.

It was the eleventh hour when “Geordie” got the ball in the area, he had no room so passed it out to me, I trapped it, he moved to the room he needed, I passed it back, he put it across the penalty area and another player put it away! That… that’s what had made it all worth it and like all the others that I’d seen smiling all evening, I was now grinning from ear to ear. This may sound extremely insignificant to someone who is able bodied and plays football often but it meant the world to me.

“Same time next week?” Matt called and after that I got a picture of the teams and everyone was off. I was shattered then and I’m shattered now, still, three days later but that’s the price I pay I guess for pushing myself. It was worth it though and will now always be that way because I’m concentrating on what I can do and not on what I can’t.

You can join Matt and the team on Quarrendon astro turf, Aylesbury, every Monday at 19:00. Subs £3 and also the team face book page is here>> https://www.facebook.com/WalkingFootballAylesbury

 Alternatively just google ‘Walking football’ and your local area, I’m sure you’ll find a club.

Follow me on twitter @HywoodMartin

The Square Ball Week - The City Talking

The words you need to read this week come from a Leeds fan called Martin Hywood.

“I cannot be beat, I have to fight my hardest to do the things I love with the people I love. Every life is worth every effort to live it to its fullest and I’ll do that with my friends, family and my Beloved Leeds United.”

We could probably just stop this column there. That’s all for this week, folks. Martin’s said it all. See you next time.
We can’t leave it there, though. For a start, you still have to read the rest of Martin’s article on Right In The Gary Kellys. Martin has muscular dystrophy, and next time we are tempted to describe a Leeds’ performance as ‘painful to watch,’ we’ll remember Martin’s description of entering The Peacock on a match day: