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What is MND?

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord.

Motor neurones are the nerve cells along which the brain sends instructions, in the form of electrical impulses, to the muscles. Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles. This generally occurs in arms or legs initially, some groups of muscles being affected more than others. Some people may develop weakness and wasting in the muscles supplying the face and throat, causing problems with speech and difficulty chewing and swallowing.

MND is a steadily progressive disease, but the rate of progression varies greatly from one person to another. MND is not contagious. It can affect any adult at any age but most people who have MND are over the age of 40 and the highest incidence is in the 50-70 age range.

The cause of MND is not yet known, but a great deal of research work is being carried out, and encouraging advances are being made in understanding both the disease process and the way motor neurones function. Sadly as yet there is no cure for MND, but in recent years, the profile of MND has increased considerably in the public domain as well as the laboratory and clinic.

The definitive resource for people with MND and those who care for them may be found at the national website of the MND Association (opens in a new window).

MND Association Links

The following table provides a series of quick links to useful pages on the MND Association website (open in a new window):

Other Links

The following table provides quick access to a number of recommended websites. If you have suggestions for other sites that might be of interest to those with MND, their families, friends, or carers, please send details to administrator@mndassociation.org, or contact our Branch Secretary.

The links on this site were last checked and updated on: September 12, 2008. Please report any errors to our Website Administrator.

Mobility
Centre for Enablement	Link to the Oxford Centre for Enablement at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford
youreable	Provides advice and guidance on assistive technology and services for people with a disability; living with a disability; news with a disability bias and a community forum.
abilitynet	A national charity working with the MND Association for IT solutions and loan equipment, software and so on. You can download their latest newsletter here.
Dialability	A national charity based in Oxford with the aim of helping disabled people with products to enable them to live an independent life
Motability	A national charity that supervises the Government's Motability Scheme that is designed to help disabled people meet the cost of having a car, powered wheelchair or scooter, through contract hire or hire purchase schemes
Transport for All	Link to the Oxfordshire county Council website that provides details of services on public transport for the disabled. Contact: 01865 251946 or email: neil.timberlake@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Services
Carers Benefit On-line	A DirectGov web site with advice, guidance and a facility to apply on-line for allowances for people with disabilities and those who care for them
RADAR	The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) is a national organisation run by and working for disabled people that fast tracks your opinions and concerns to policy makers in Westminster and Whitehall
Dial UK	A Disability Helpline. The national organisation for a network of approximately 130 local disability information and advice services run by and for disabled people
Travel
Disabled Holiday Directory	The Disabled Holiday Directory (DHD) specialises in assisting disabled people find a holiday that will cater for their specific needs
Vitalise	Vitalise (formerly Winged Fellowship Trust) is a national disability charity providing breaks for disabled adults, children and their carers at five accessible UK Centres in Cornwall, Nottingham, Southport, Essex and Southampton.
MND leaflet	The MND Association has Information Sheets on Holidays, Car Hire and Insurance. You can download the June 2008 leaflet here or obtain a copy by email from: care@mndassociation.org
Technical
ITCH	The purpose of ITCH (Information Technology Can Help) is to offer computer assistance to individuals with disabilities by providing volunteers who will visit disabled people in their homes and at other locations such as day centres
REMAP	REMAP is a national charitable organisation engaged in the design and provision of specialised technical aids for disabled people
Disabled Living Foundation	A national charity that provides free, impartial advice about all types of daily living equipment and mobility products for disabled adults and children, older people, their carers and families.
Forums
DeNDRoN	DeNDRoN, the Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network, is a national initiative set up by the Department of Health to ensure that doctors, nurses, patients, carers, researchers, funders, academics and NHS trusts work effectively together to improve the quality of research on dementia and neurodegenerative diseases across the UK. The latest issue of their 6-monthly Newsletter is available to download here.
health talk on-line	Health Talk On-line (formerly known as DIPEx) provides detailed information on various aspects of living with MND. In addition you can watch, listen to or read interviews with a number of people with MND, and find reliable information on treatment choices and where to find support
Recorded talk	Discussion on clinical aspects of Motor Neurone Disease by Dr. Kevin Talbot - Department of Clinical Neurology, University of Oxford. Dr. Talbot is a Consultant Neurologist and Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Clinical Neurology at the University of Oxford. He is also Director of the Oxford Motor Neurone Disease Care and Research Centre at the John Radcliffe.
build-uk.net	A web site aiming to build a network for those who are living with MND. Forums allow views to be given on a number of MND related issues. Site is not complete but contains useful information.
Books and Articles
Motor Neuron Disease	Book by Dr Kevin Talbot and Rachael Marsden (Oxford University Press, 2008). Also see the review in the April 2008 issue of our newsletter
My Donkeybody	Personal account of living with MND by Michael Wenham (Monarch, 2008). See the article by Michael Wenham in the April 2008 issue of our newsletter
Motor Neuron Disease: A Family Affair	Book by Dr David Oliver (Sheldon Press, 2006) explores the needs of the whole family as adjustments are made to living with MND
Leaflet	Leaflet from the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre on their MND Services
The Carer's Handbook	Book by Jane Mathews (howtobooks, 2007). Essential information and support for all those in a caring role

The Oxford Centre for Enablement

The Oxford Centre for Enablement is based at at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. It provides assessment and gives advice on specialised equipment for people with disabilities.

In the same building is the Oxfordshire Wheelchair Service. You need a referral from a Health Care Professional to access this service.

Windmill Rd
Headington
Oxford, OX3 7LD
Tel: 01865 227600
Get directions

For further information, please visit the website for the Centre for Enablement.