But with the support of MDUK – and the generosity of people like you – I believe we can make wishes come true this Christmas.
Christmas Appeal 2026
I wish my son health and happiness. But who knows what the future will bring?
If you asked my son Somhairle what he’s dreaming of this Christmas, he’d probably say VIP tickets to see the ABBA Voyage show in London. At age 13, he’s got a better ABBA repertoire than most tribute acts! But my wish-list is a little different.
It’s full of all the things I hope Somhairle will do as he grows up – some of them quite simple things that most of us take for granted. Yet sadly, I don’t know if any of these wishes will ever come true.
That’s because Somhairle has Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a severe muscle wasting condition that doesn’t have a cure. Already, at just 13, he can’t walk more than a few steps on his own and mostly uses a power wheelchair. So perhaps I should accept that some of the experiences I want for him are now just wishful thinking.
As a family, we’ve been learning to live with Somhairle’s condition for around 10 years now. And while, to an outside observer, we might look like we have everything under control, the truth is, it’s a constant battle to have an ordinary family life. People just don’t see what goes on in the background.
Duchenne rules our lives.
The things people don’t see…
People don’t see the hours of meetings and conversations we’ve had to have just to ensure a safe place for Somhairle to go to school. They also don’t see the 27-page form we had to fill in to apply for disability benefits, explaining that our son is disabled and has to use a wheelchair. And they don’t see the letter we got back to say they’ve assessed it, and he’s not entitled to anything.
They also don’t see how 700 people can hop on a train from Edinburgh to London, but there are only four spaces for wheelchairs. And they don’t see the fact that we had to choose our holiday destination based on it being 50 miles from the hospital.
However, through it all, Muscular Dystrophy UK has been with us – giving us vital advice, practical information, and connecting us with other families who get what we’re going through. Because that’s another thing people don’t see: how the whole picture becomes smaller as your friendship circle naturally shifts towards people who actually get it because they’re also living it.
Our hopes and fears as parents
Somhairle was featured in MDUK’s Christmas appeal a few years ago, when my wife Sarah and I were newly dealing with his condition. Back then, we had so many worries, as you’d expect. We agonised about how Duchenne would limit his walking and movement. How it would affect his heart and breathing, and ultimately, cut his life short. And we worried that people would see the wheelchair, but not see our clever wee boy sitting there as well. And, of course, these things still keep us awake at night.
But since then, I’ve come to realise that muscular dystrophy is so much more than a loss of muscle and a loss of movement – it’s a loss of possibilities too. It robs people like Somhairle of their freedom and power to choose. And it closes the door to the opportunities and adventures that every parent wishes for their child: the life imagined.
A loss of possibilities
I’m not talking about skydiving or mountain-trekking – just simple rites of passage, like the ceilidh dance at Somhairle’s school last Christmas. While all his friends were picking their partners and spinning themselves silly, my boy could only watch from the sidelines. And though he put a brave face on it, he was devastated for days after that.
That’s another thing no one ever sees – the emotional strain, frustration and struggles that go on behind closed doors for us. Because when he’s upset, it breaks our hearts every time.
But MDUK knows what we’re going through. They’re always there when we need them most. They fund the world-class research that never stops looking for new treatments and cures, giving hope to families like ours. And they’ve shown us that while Somhairle’s condition restricts how he moves, we can refuse to let it define how he lives. Because people with muscle wasting conditions deserve more.
This Christmas, will you support them with a donation? Whatever you give, will be matched pound for pound, and will make double the difference to families like ours.
No one should face this journey alone
I know you’re already kind enough to support MDUK and I can’t thank you enough for your generosity. In the ten years since Somhairle’s diagnosis, I’ve become a Trustee of this life-changing charity and I’m so glad it’s close to your heart too.
By giving today, you could help fund our brilliant helpline team, who’ve been such a lifeline to us over the years – providing us with clear and accurate information, helping us navigate the state support system and keeping our spirits up all the way. No one should have to go on this journey alone – and with your help, no one will.
Your support could also help fund MDUK’s vital campaigning and bring us closer to a world where no one is held back by loss of movement. As Somhairle grows up, he’s becoming a bit of a campaigner himself and your generosity would inspire him to keep fighting for the inclusivity, accessibility and opportunities he deserves.
And your gift could help bring about the next big medical breakthrough. With no cure, this loss of movement is permanent, progressive and, too often, life shortening. New treatments, or even a cure, could be just around the corner, opening up a world of possibilities for people like Somhairle.
So please give families like ours the support, opportunities and hope we’re all wishing for this Christmas. In turn, I’d like to wish you all the best for the festive season and beyond.