Martin's not a drunk... he has Huntington's
| Published date | 08 September 2021 |
| Publication title | Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser |
Once fighting fit Martin, 54, worked as a roofer before he began to struggle with his balance.
A blood test detected the condition and, in a tragic turn, his twin brother was also diagnosed with Huntington's just one week later.
Martin, who loved doting on his five grandchildren and playing the flute, is now unable to feed himself or speak after the genetic disease robbed him of his life.
His doting partner of 27 years, Sadie Henderson, 61, says police officers would often pick Martin up in the street, mistaking his symptoms for being drunk.
Now his full-time carer, Sadie is desperate to raise awareness about the disease that has changed their lives forever.
She said: "I knew nothing about Huntington's when he was diagnosed, I thought we'd cope okay.
"The first real symptoms I saw was when he started losing balance, he was swaying while walking and falling into things.
"Police would often lift Martin and bring him home for 'being drunk',"
she added.
"People in shops would think he was drunk when he knocked things over. Nobody understood."
Sadie, who shares seven children with Martin, has bravely opened up on how quickly Huntington's has robbed Martin of his life and the turmoil the family endures.
"In more recent years it's taken a really bad turn," she added.
"Huntington's has completely ruined Martin's life.
"He doesn't have a life other than his bedroom and the TV.
"His brain still functions, but he can't speak or do anything for himself. He has a catheter and is in a wheelchair.
"His arms move beyond his control so he can hit things. He's lost over five stone and is so weak. We have to feed him two breakfasts and around eight dinners per day to try to keep the weight on.
"We don't know how long we'll have left with Martin. Doctors told me he could die from choking and I'll just have to hold his hand."
Despite the hardship the family endures, Sadie is determined to support Martin in his own home.
"The pandemic was difficult as we were shielding," she said.
"It's really hard. I've had moments where I can't take it any more, I want to put my jacket on and walk out.
"But Martin is my whole life, he needs me and I don't know what I'll do without him when he does pass away.
"Our family is a great help and we get there - but there should be more support for families living with this condition."
A common symptom of Huntington's is that sufferers are prone to choking...
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