From Research to Rugby and Reviews - Euan's Story

From research to rugby and reviews, what came after the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND?

04/10/2018

What a start to October! Euan’s Guide is delighted with the news that Doddie Weir has helped to raise a further £250,000 towards vital research at the Euan MacDonald Centre. It’s anticipated that the money raised by the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation will reduce the time it takes for new treatments to become available to those who have Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Doddie, a former Scotland international rugby player who announced his diagnosis in 2017, said: “We launched My Name’5 Doddie Foundation with the clear aim of supporting research to help find a cure for MND. This is our second significant investment in research and we are delighted to be working with the respected Euan MacDonald Centre at the University of Edinburgh.”

Doddie and Euan are both rugby enthusiasts and big supporters of Just A Sports Quiz, an annual fundraising event which brings together researchers and the sports community at BT Murrayfield Stadium. Doddie said: “Euan and his family have done a great deal in the fight against this devastating disease and we hope that by pledging funds to this new initiative, we can help make a difference.”

Euan was diagnosed with MND at the age of 29, and he along with his father Donald helped to establish the Euan MacDonald Centre in Edinburgh in 2007. There, researchers aim to ‘make discoveries that will slow, stop and eventually reverse MND.’ Following their donation to fund the neurological research centre, numerous other donations were received, including from J.K. Rowling, to help establish more research facilities such as the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic and the Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre.

Photo of Euan and JK Rowling.

Photo: J.K Rowling and Euan meet.

We’re eager to see what the future holds in the world of MND research, and Euan and his family continue to work closely with the centre, its voicebank and fundraisers to help make progress a reality.

So, what did Euan do next?

With the centre established and the tools in place to ensure ground-breaking research could happen in Edinburgh, Euan turned his attention away from lab coats and zebrafish to a side of MND that he could change outside of the laboratory.

“MND is a progressive condition, so each year has thrown up different physical challenges. I have gone from being ambulant disabled to a manual chair user and now a powerchair user. I had to adapt to the physical environment around me.”

Euan’s experiences gained from having new access requirements inspired him and his family to create Euan’s Guide, the disabled access review website. The non-profit guide now features thousands of reviews written by disabled people for disabled people and covers everything from wheelchair access to accessible loos and whether there’s a hearing loop.

Photo of Euan.

“We knew what the problem was, and technology provided the solution. We started the process of setting up a website and the first meeting was held round our kitchen table in early 2013. Like many start-ups we came to it without experience - we just had our idea. With a little bit of courage, jobs were left behind and Euan’s Guide became a full-time project once we received our charity status. Our mission wasn’t to make a profit, but to build something that could help disabled people by taking the stress out of going places and trying new things.”

On hearing about the charity, fellow donor J.K. Rowling was enthused by the idea and said: “I’m delighted to endorse Euan’s Guide, and to congratulate him on launching this pioneering website. I know, through meeting many people with MS who have disabilities, that there is a dearth of information about venues and their accessibility. A friendly and straightforward guide, with information from users themselves, is an empowering development to be heartily recommended.”

Euan’s Guide is gearing up to celebrate its 5th birthday later this year and continues to grow thanks to the support of donations from people who are passionate about accessibility. If you’re disabled and aren’t sure what access is like at places you’d like to visit, give Euan’s Guide a go! You can search for reviews and listings near you, then add your own.

“As a disabled football supporter, I travel all over Scotland and Northern England. I find information on the site and app very helpful.” Marcus, 2018.

“Finding out about the site recently was great, you always think no one else is interested in such things. Having information ahead of time about a possible visit can be the difference between a successful outing and a disaster and often it is the little things that make the difference.” Brian, 2018.

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