The family of a man diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis almost 20 years ago are crowdfunding in the hope that he can access life changing treatment.
Lisburn man Ian Shannon had been working as a lorry driver in 2003 and had been assisting on his family's daIry farm close to Loughbrickland when he noticed some balance issues and tingling.
After undergoing tests, Ian was diagnosed with MS in 2004, a diagnosis which changed his life forever.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Ian said: "I was in good health, I was driving a lorry upwards of 50 hours a week and then at home I was helping with the family farm for a further 20 to 25 hours a week.
"I had bags of energy and the future seemed set out for me as I was destined to eventually take over the family farm.
"Farming was in my blood and I had plans and dreams for the direction the farm business would take. Farming was the only thing I ever wanted to do, it was my dream job."
Ian told us that as his symptoms got worse, he eventually had to give up farming as he couldn't guarantee his safety while working on the farm. All of which had a devastating impact on his mental health.
In 2017, Ian and his wife Sharron welcomed the birth of twins. Now, five years on Ian is bedbound and uses a wheelchair to get around.
Ian said that he hopes that by crowdfunding £30,000 for a life changing infusion treatment, it will give him the opportunity to be more involved with his children's lives.
"I was told recently that I would be eligible for this treatment but it is not available here on the NHS.
"MS has progressed so much that the only way forward that I can see is to get this Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy.
"The kids might want to go for a walk and I can't go with them because I can't get back up the hill as I am in a wheelchair.
"This is a one off infusion in the Cayman Islands which would hopefully allow the stem cells to replace some of the tissue and substantially reverse some of the damage that has been done by the MS.
"Hopefully if I get this treatment, I will be able to kick a ball with my son, dance like nobody is watching and one day, walk my daughter down the aisle."
To donate to Ian's JustGiving page, click here.
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