Things I Am Truly Thankful For
Having Myotonic Dystrophy sucks. It really does.
But while it is there all the time, it does not define me. And I didn't always have it.
I was — and still am — very lucky to have done many things on my bucket list before symptoms began to appear.
There are also things in my present life that I am truly thankful for.
Here are some of them.
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My beautiful and wonderful wife
I feel incredibly lucky to have met and married this wonderful woman. My wife. She has stood by me through everything. I said I would understand if she left, she didn't sign up for this. She was highly offended. She said she stayed with me because she loved me. With or without this condition. We have been married for 19 years this year (2026).
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My amazing son
I have a teenage son who is too handsome for his own good. He also helps out with my mobility, something I feel extremely guilty about. I love him more than words can say.
- My extensive travelling
I have been very fortunate to have been to every continent on Earth. 23 countries in total, some of them more than once: USA 4 times, Ecuador 3 times, Switzerland 3 times to name just a few.
- My House and Car
I own my own house (mortgage free) and drive a Mercedes car. I live in a very safe area and am very grateful to have this security.
- My Parents. Especially my mum.
I am grateful that my parents love(ed) me unconditionally. Especially my mum (RIP). She sacrificed more than I ever realised to help me. More than she should have.
- That I have time to pursue my hobbies
I am grateful that I have enough free time in my life to pursue my various hobbies.
- In my younger years I was good looking.
Why deny it? I may not have been everyone's cup of tea but I certainly was to quite a few women in my life.
- My life experiences
I have been lucky enough to have done many unique things in my life. Just to name a few. I have flown an airplane (yes a proper lesson!), I have been on hot air balloon rides over the Arizona desert and the Australian outback, I have seen the Northern Lights in Iceland (and UK). I have been inside the Pyramids in Egypt and skied down mountains in Switzerland. I have been on a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and have swum in the Great Barrier Reef. I have attended music festivals and danced the night away.
Some of these experiences happened after I developed Myotonic Dystrophy, while others were long before the first symptoms appeared.
- The Country I live in
I live in a country that is richer and freer than many. I have been helped to have my shower made disabled friendly and small lift at my front door rather than a massive step. This doesn't happen everywhere. I can park more easily with my blue badge and receive free healthcare. In the UK virtually everyone expects to retire at some point. This is not the case in many parts of the world. These good things are there to people who were lucky enough to be born here.
Myotonic Dystrophy has taken many things from me. But it has also forced me to appreciate what I still have — and that list is still growing.