PAUL'S PAIN

Living with MND, he hits a sad new milestone

- ALISON SLADE

Paul is well aware that, as his symptoms of motor neurone disease progress, he’ll lose the ability to do many of the things he previously took for granted. But that doesn’t make it any less devastating when the theory becomes a reality.

Already unable to walk or to bathe and dress himself independently, the former builder hits another sad ‘marker’ this week when he’s told by one of his team of doctors that he can no longer eat solid food.

In a cruel twist of fate, this all happens as Billy is planning a big family meal. Summer has accepted an offer to study in Boston for a term (America, not Lincolnshire, although we’re sure the latter has its appeal) and, when she books her flight, the vicar agrees to cook a farewell roast dinner.