Beneficiary Case Study: Sam

“Mum and Dad just told me we were going away for a few days, but they wouldn’t tell me where. My school authorised two days off. They said I had been nominated for something special by one of my old teachers – but I still didn’t know what anyone was talking about!

We travelled to Ashdown Forest, and it was there I was greeted by Michael McGrath from the Muscle Help Foundation charity and the teacher that nominated me.

We all went to a restaurant that evening, and stayed in the most exquisite hotel, but I still didn’t know what was to come the following day. They didn’t give away any clues which made it all that much more exciting and memorable.

The next day, after going off-roading with a member of staff in a specially adapted off-road wheelchair, we reached a clearing in the forest. Little did I know that Ray Mears would be waiting there, with a campfire set up. I was there to spend the day with him in Ashdown Forest! It was a complete surprise and so overwhelming.”

“This really was a once in a lifetime experience and an opportunity I’ll simply never forget. I have so many fond memories of the day and I’m so grateful to the Muscle Help Foundation charity and Michael in particular, who went above and beyond to make my dream a reality.”

“I was accompanied on this epic adventure by Andrew, my younger brother (pictured below), along with mum and dad. Andrew has always been involved and made to feel part of the ‘Muscle Warriors’ family (thanks to the charity), and that’s one thing I love about the charity, not only do they recognise the struggles that individuals with Muscular Dystrophy face, but they also think about those closest to us and how the condition affects the whole family. So, not only was this a day for me to remember, but it was a day that he’ll never forget either.

This why the work of the charity is so important. It supports the whole family. You are always made to feel so welcome, so involved, and so happy. Michael has become a life-long friend and I admire the work he does; over the past ten years he’s seen me progress and grow into the adult I am today.”

“Already there have been multiple occasions where Katie has turned to the charity for support, and we have both attended some of the charity’s events, most recently its Hello Hampshire event hosted at Naomi House & Jacks Place Hospice. Whenever we attend MHF events, it gives us the opportunity to meet new people, catch up with old friends, and we always leave with a smile on our faces.”

“The reality of our lives and the cards we’ve been dealt aren’t the best by any means, but it’s the charity-organised events from the Muscle Help Foundation that give us hope, friendship and memories to last a lifetime.

I am very fortunate enough to have recently been granted another Muscle Dream which saw my wife Katie and I wheel on board a Wetwheels accessible powerboat at Mercury Harbour (Hamble), experiencing the Solent and the beautiful Beaulieu River.

Michael has certainly gone above and beyond for both my family as well as myself over the years. I would be lost without the MHF, and we hope to help the charity in making a difference; just like it always has done for me for the past 12 years.

Sharing my story is one way of helping the charity and demonstrating the positive impact it has on the lives of people living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). I am testament to that.”