A fitness session to raise money for a Huntington’s charity takes place this month.

’Paracise for Huntington’s’ is being organised by fitness instructor Donna Whalley (pictured right) in support of the husband of one of her regular clients who has the tragic, and fatal, faulty gene which has robbed him of his independence.

Helen Martin’s husband, now aged 63, was diagnosed as carrying the faulty Huntington’s gene in July 2013.

Since then he had to go through losing his driving licence, his wife giving up work to care for him and suffering a series of falls, the last of which saw him going into care.

Mrs Martin, who lives in Douglas, explained that their lives had been ’turned upside down’.

She said seeing her fit and healthy husband who once did triathlons, windsurfing, cycling and running change so dramatically has not only been extremely upsetting but stressful and depressive.

Mrs Martin said: ’He is still in nursing care, has slurred speech, struggles to walk unaided, loses balance and falls, can’t think clearly, is losing the ability to swallow and has constant uncontrollable movements in his arms and legs.

’He takes medication which is supposed to help with his movements, but his movements are still constant.

’He needs twice as many calories daily than the average person to help reduce the risk of weight loss which is very common and dangerous in Huntington’s disease patients.’

Last year their son turned 18, the age at which people can take the tests to discover if they have the faulty gene.

After some intense counselling sessions, a blood test and an agonising months wait, he was negative, which Mrs Martin said was ’such a relief to us all’.

Donna met Mrs Martin through Paracise and the pair decided to hold the event to raise money for the charity and support group, which are both chaired by Mrs Martin.

The fitness class is designed for people with lesser mobility.

Donna said: ’Paracise itself is a 45 minute standing exercise to music class - with no floor work and optional use of a chair for balance - working on breathing, posture, co-ordination and balance.

Improvements

’Working at your own pace we encourage you to appreciate what your body can do and how small changes can make big improvements to your day to day life.’

The charity session will take place at Glencrutchery School hall, off Greenfield Road, Douglas, on Tuesday, May 21 at 6.30pm.

There is no need to book a place in advance, you can just to turn up.

If you wish to contact Donna before the event email [email protected], call 492132 or message her on Facebook on the ’Paracise with Donna’ page.

The event is free but the suggested donation is £4.

For more information on Huntington’s charity or support group, email Mrs Martin at [email protected].

Donations can also be made to the same email address via Paypal.