Patrick the Optimist

You may well have seen the posters on the High Street or at the station.  A disabled man, in a wheelchair, enjoying a great time with his young son.

People say half of all advertising doesn’t work but few who’ve come across this campaign would put it in the ‘not’ pile.  This new disability initiative is attracting widespread plaudits from marketing gurus to the general public.  Why?  Well, the new Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) fund-raising campaign is high-profile, thought-provoking and – above all – getting through.

Fighting Disability

Part of the secret of success lies in the skillful personalisation of the message.  The smiling face looking down at you from the billboard as ‘Patrick the Optimist’ is in fact Patrick Joyce, who has been fighting Motor Neurone Disease since 2008, when he was first diagnosed.

“I have motor neurone disease (MND).  I’m gradually losing the ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe.  I won’t see my daughter go to primary school and she won’t remember me.  I am dying – MND is killing me.

Patrick continues: “I’m determined to use what’s left of my life and my diminishing artistic skill to encourage others to do something optimistic every day.  MND may be incurable but I am an incurable optimist.  I know that through optimism we will find the cure to MND.”

Patrick has vowed to paint 100 portraits of people, like him, who have Motor Neurone Disease, before he loses his ability to paint altogether.

Motor Neurone Disease

In conjunction with his 100 Paintings initiative, Patrick is working with MNDA on their ongoing Incurable Optimist campaign.  Patrick explains the message he is dedicating his time to: “I’m determined to use what’s left of my life and my diminishing artistic skill to encourage others to do something optimistic every day. MND may be incurable but I am an incurable optimist.  I know that through optimism we will find the cure to MND.”

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones.  Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and disability through wasting of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, difficulties with speech and ultimately with swallowing and breathing.

Approximately seven people in every 100,000 have Motor Neurone Disease and the incidence seems to be rising, although this could possibly be attributed to better detection rates.

How Can You Help?

The campaign uses a variety of media including billboards, internet, online and social media featuring amazingly positive images of Patrick (including the one above).  Allied Mobility is proud to support the MND campaign, specifically by contributing to its Wheelchair Appeal.  If you’d like more information on the campaign or want to make a donation click here, visitwww.patricktheoptimist.org or call the campaign line on 08453 751850.