Saintfield resident Michael Holden (45) who is living with motor neurone disease (MND), has been recognised for his ‘services to people with disabilities’ and been named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Michael, who lives with his wife Jennifer and two children Georgia and Noah, was diagnosed with the neurological disease in December 2010. He overcame the shock of his diagnosis to set up a travel review site for disabled people –
The user-led website is dedicated to sharing experiences of travel, entertainment and products with the disabled community around the world and also provides employment for the disabled.
Michael said: “I received a letter about the MBE, but my wife Jennifer told me about it over the phone when I wasn’t at home and I immediately began to tremble with excitement.
“My wife and I took our children to see the royal wedding of Prince William in London, which the children really enjoyed; my wife Jennifer and I cannot wait to see the look on their faces when we tell them we’re going to see the Queen!
“My greatest achievement to date without a doubt it is my continued battle against MND and surviving each day with renewed energy with the help of my friends and family, and most importantly with God-given strength, for which I give thanks daily.
“When I was first diagnosed with MND, I didn’t want to meet anyone else with the condition, but over the years I have met people through the MND Association and I have found it helpful.”
Michael went on to start up the website ( www.trip-ability.com ) which is similar to Trip Advisor but is for people with mobility problems. It has been such a success, it has had to be redeveloped to deal with the traffic.
He also qualified as a pilot four years after his diagnosis through training at Aerobility, a specialist flying school for disabled people, and made his specially-adapted plane available at Newtownards airfield so local people with disabilities could have the opportunity to fly.
Chris Wade, Director of Engagement at the Motor Neurone Disease Association said: “Michael is truly an inspiration for his commitment to living life to the full while living with Motor Neurone Disease, and for helping so many other families tackling day to day challenges with a disability too. This recognition is richly deserved.”
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About motor neurone disease (MND)
* MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
* It attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. MND does not usually affect the senses (sight, sound and feeling).
* It can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe.
* It affects people from all communities.
* Some people may experience changes in thinking and behaviour, with a proportion experiencing a rare form of dementia.
* It kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis.
* Six people per day are diagnosed with MND in the UK.
* It affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.
* It kills six people per day in the UK, just under 2,200 per year
* It has no cure.
