Lanarkshire family's heartbreaking plea after dad handed 'death sentence' following MND diagnosis

A Lanarkshire dad has made a heartbreaking plea following his shock diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) - his family have since been doing all they can to "create memories".

Mark Somerville, 43, was given the life-limiting diagnosis on October 10 of last year. The dad-of-four was given 18 months to live and described the moment as being handed a "death sentence".

Mark and his heartbroken family, who are based in Bellshill, are now doing everything in their power to find a cure for the devastating disease and have even called upon the Scottish Government after recognising that their time is "running out".

Mark's eldest daughter Rebecca, 24, said she feels like there is "no hope" for MND patients.

Speaking to Glasgow Live she said: "None of us really knew what MND meant or what the outcome would be - we were left to our own devices and had to work our way through it.

"The doctors gave him 18 months to live and told dad to just 'live his life' - my siblings are young so we are trying to create memories for them that we had with him when we were little."

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Mark, who was a general manager at ABM Industries until late last year, told the Record: "Every day that goes by is another day of my life gone. I feel like time is running out because there is no cure."

The family are now calling on the Scottish Government to urgently invest in research to aid the disease. He also wants to see drug firms speed up the process of publishing findings over potential clinical trials.

The dad-of-four added: "The Scottish Government and politicians need to be doing everything they can to find a cure. There is nothing that is stopping this disease so it feels like there is no hope for people who are diagnosed with it.

"Everyone says that this is one of the most horrible diseases in the world, so why are we not doing anything to help people who have it? I want to put some accountability on the government and politicians to do something about this.

"I would also like to see them deal with drug companies who are constantly delaying the results of potential trials. While there are delays, people are dying and families are being torn apart.

"When you have MND, time matters. Every day is another day taken from your life and as each day goes by, you worry about what will happen next."

Daughter Rebecca feels like she is "grieving" her dad, saying: "Every time I see him a piece of him is gone, it's like you're grieving someone who is still alive".

The family are now using their heartbreak as motivation to take action against the cruel disease and are in fact in the process of launching a charity which will provide starter packs to those diagnosed with MND.

They have since raised a significant amount of money, with Mark's aim being that no one has to go through the unknown of their diagnosis. Rebecca added: "We are in the process of making MND starter packs, these will go to anyone with a diagnosis. It will have all the essentials, like things to help when their hands go, information leaflets, booklets and specialised cutlery."

With time moving on, Mark fears his condition will rapidly deteriorate and that he will robbed of making precious memories with his wife, Erika, and children, Rebecca, 24, Ellie, 22, Olivia, 13 and Cole, seven.

Speaking to the Daily Record he said: "The thought of not being able to walk my daughters down the aisle devastates me. Without a cure, I might not be able to see my son go to high school or take him out for a pint when he turns 18.

"Every time I look at my young son, I wonder if I will be in his life when he is a teenager, when he'll need me more than ever. As a dad, it is a devastating thought but unless there is a cure or something that can slow the disease right down, it will be my reality.

"Even if there was something out there to stop MND, I could live with it. If nothing like that comes along, death will be the end result and there is no doubt about it."

Mark shared an emotional video plea through his social media channels, where he begged for help to "keep him alive". In the clip, Mark breaks down as he shares the details of his diagnosis.

He says: "It's important that I do this with the emotion because people don't understand what you go through every day. I think this message has to get out to the people who have my life in their hands.

"Please help, please share this and please try your best to get a cure to help me stay alive."

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Speaking about the issue, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “We recognise how distressing and debilitating neurological conditions can be and want to ensure people can access the care and support they need to live well on their own terms by implementing our Neurological Care and Support Framework.

“Clinical trial and research participation is discussed with the vast majority of people living with MND within eight weeks of diagnosis.

“We are co-funding, with MND Scotland, a three-year Clinical Academic Fellowship to help progress the search for an effective treatment.

“Whilst we wish to see any new and ground-breaking medicines made available as quickly as possible, safety must remain paramount.”

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