Eric fights illness to fund research

DETERMINED . . . Eric Armitage with loving wife Angela

Rare disease has ‘taken away so much of my life’
ERIC Armitage is at the mercy of a cruel and ruthless illness which has robbed him of his independence and will ultimately take his life.

But despite his own daily battle with the rare neurological condition multiple system atrophy (MSA) he’s determined to help others.

Eric (58), who has given meaning to the lives of many people with disabilities as an employment mentor for Oldham Council, is using his incurable illness to raise awareness and money to fund research into MSA.

Since being diagnosed five years ago the once keen sportsman and youth footballing stalwart has degenerated to such an extent he’s practically wheelchair bound.

He and his wife, Angela, who is now his full-time carer, have pledged to do all they can to spread the MSA message by helping the MSA Trust raise £1 million.

“The biggest thing is losing my independence,” said Eric, of North Dene Park, in Chadderton, who was given six to 10 years to live after being diagnosed in 2007.

“It has taken away so much of my life, I now rely on people to do everything for me and that’s hard for me. It’s had a massive impact on my life. It’s got to the stage where I notice a deterioration week by week.

He is one of only 3,000 people in the UK with the disease, which is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.

“We’ve raised £2,500 so far with the help of family and friends and we’ve got lots more planned,” said Angela.

Contact them with support by email to angela.ellen@sky.com.

For more information on the MSA Trust visit www.msatrust.org.