“When I was a young woman, I used my voice to teach high school students. When I brought up my family, I used my voice to sing songs, recite poetry, and laugh with my children. When my children grew up, I used my voice to tell them how proud I am of them. My voice was a huge part of me, and now it’s gone, but my spirit is still strong.”

76-year-old Tahira was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019. For Tahira, who has always had a big and bubbly personality, the hardest part of living with the condition is losing her ability to speak.

Tahira was born in Pakistan in 1948, after graduating from a prestigious college, she taught at a local high school. In 1976, Tahira married her husband, Asghar and they soon relocated to Dewsbury and then Leeds starting a new life as they brought up their four children – two boys and two girls.

She dedicated herself to her children’s success, and became a stay at home mum. Tahira developed a special relationship with her children, and has fond memories of singing to them in the kitchen whilst cooking their favourite meal, reciting poetry and laughing and joking together.

Five years ago, Tahira’s world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with MND. Tahira and her whole family found it hard to stay positive, and she was a shell of her once confident and outgoing self.

Tahira is cared for by the Leeds MND team at Seacroft Hospital, and has developed a close bond with Dr Agam Jung, Consultant Neurologist, who has gone above and beyond to support Tahira and the wider family.

Thanks to the support she has received from her family and the clinical team, Tahira’s spirit has remained strong and her ethos is to live life every single day to the fullest with a smile on her face.

Tahira doesn’t often attend the MND clinic at Seacroft, finding it difficult spending hours sitting in a busy and clinical waiting room, surrounded by other people at different stages of the condition.

When Tahira’s daughter Amna attended a stakeholders session led by the architects for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, she was excited to share the designs with her mum.

For Tahira and her family, having a centre that is tailored to her needs as an MND patient is so important. From accessible parking, to a light and spacious environment, surrounded by greenery and quiet spaces to reflect. Somewhere that feels less clinical that is suitable for the whole family, where Tahira’s four and six year old granddaughters could come with her to make precious memories together.