Raising Awareness

“Jaki's poems offer a powerful and deeply personal insight into life with motor neurone disease. Through her words, our Physiotherapy students are invited to see beyond clinical symptoms and diagnoses, and instead engage with the lived experience of the person behind the condition. We use her poetry as a reflective tool, asking students to consider how motor neurone disease affects every aspect of daily life—physically, emotionally, and socially.

For many students, this is their first encounter with the human reality of such a life-altering diagnosis. Jaki's voice helps them develop empathy, sensitivity, and a more holistic approach to care. We hope that what they learn through her poems will stay with them—not just during their training, but throughout their professional lives.”

“Today I stumbled across your amazing poetry for the first time. I was officially diagnosed in October 2023 but I'd had symptoms for at least a year before.

Your poems map most of my feelings and experiences except at the moment I am still able to speak (although my voice has altered). As I read them it was as if I had written them myself except I'm not that talented.

Although my prognosis is hopeless too, your poems have comforted me making me feel less 'on my own'.

Sending you my thanks and hugs”

“I have been lucky enough to meet Jaki, although I have not seen her in a few years. Jaki, you are a beautiful human with a sparkly soul. Your poems about living with MND are heartbreakingly beautiful, raw, and honest. Thank you for sharing your truth in these works of art. I know they will not only help to bring awareness to MND but they will be a source of strength and community to those living with the disease as well as their loved ones.”