A Very Special Sunday

Supporter Martin Hywood and his wife Michelle volunteered at last Sunday's Virgin London Marathon to help us cheer on our 103 Team Orange runners, including Martin's brother, Andrew.

06:20, Sunday, 21 April 2013...

Never have I hated my alarm clock so much as right now! Then as I slowly wake up and get my head together I realise why I'm being 'beeped' at... The 2013 London Marathon!

We're up, ready and set off to the station for the train. We're very lucky with our train journey, travelling through the Chilterns at this time of the morning is something else; the mist rolls off the hills to reveal a stunning patchwork quilt of forest and field. This takes away some of the anxiety I am feeling right now.

Me and MD

You may wonder why I go on about Muscular Dystrophy. It’s because I’m lucky to have a lesser strain (Limb Girdle) and I have the ability to shout for those that can’t; and if I can make a difference then so can you.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the biggest genetic killer of infants and toddlers. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the biggest genetic killer amongst boys and young men (only 1% of those affected are girls)

Me Myself and PIP

Martin Hywood is 39 and has limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Here he shares his experience of his first muscle group meeting and his thoughts on Personal Independence Payments (PIP) - the new benefit replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

"I'll start with a little introduction, although the above may well tell you quite a lot already.

I was 23 when I was diagnosed with this condition. At that time, I knew nothing about it and didn't want to know anything about it- complete denial. I never wanted help and I didn't want to talk about it.

Tony, Tony Yeboah,Tony Yebo-o-ah

In some respects, occasionally, I consider myself lucky to be an aged supporter of Leeds United.

Like every football club far and wide players come and go; some will make an impression on you, make you feel like they are involved for you as well as themselves and team mates. I’m not a lover of the badge kisser; it seems transparent and somewhat diluted in this day and age, and besides sometimes it’s unnecessary. Usually what they’ve just done is enough to show you the love they have for the club, and it’s on that note that I’d like to talk about Tony Yeboah.

Yeboah played for Leeds 65 times (league and cup) and scored 32 goals… 32 amazing goals!

Three points can make me walk taller and for longer

I’m 38 years old, I have Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, and right now I’m in the “transitional period” between walking and being in a wheelchair (which I obviously want to avoid!). I’m also a Leeds United fan who does a 330-mile round-trip to Elland Road every other week.

So why go to the hassle if you’re impaired or have a disability or condition that should stop you? Because you just can’t beat it, can you. Getting up early, slipping the shirt on, the anticipation, the journey, the songs, the pre-match pint and the smell of the pies!

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:

The Day Ken Bates Called Me

So I had an idea, I wanted to raise awareness of my condition and also the dedication of Leeds Utd Fans, me being one of them.

I went on to write an article that was published by RITGK and that was supposed to be it.  I aimed at sitting back and seeing what people thought. Maybe I was expecting one or two comments…

It has been an amazing week! I have been inundated with Facebook replies, Twitter messages and e-mails from all over the place. There have been messages of support and so much, er, appreciation that I’m really humbled by what’s been said to me or about me.