A teenager who has inherited the same muscle wasting disease as her father is helping to send him overseas for a new treatment which gives them both hope for the future.
Kirsten McNeill, 19, of Lochgilphead, in Argyll, has discovered that she has the gene which causes cerebeller hereditary ataxia.
Her dad Brian, also known as Barney, 44, of Tarbert, Argyll, suffers from the condition that has already claimed the lives of so many members of their family.
He uses a motability scooter and struggles with day-to-day tasks.
Her granny Chris died aged 60 in 1991 along with aunts Marie, 41, Margaret, 47 and Christine, 55, who passed away in 2004, 2007 respectively.
Now a treatment has been claimed in China which uses magnets to energise the brain cells and helps reverse the symptoms.
This first of two fundraising dances takes place on Saturday in Tarbert Village Hall which Kirsten hopes will help raise £10,000 to send her father for the treatment, as soon as possible.
She said: “If this helps my dad, it gives me hope to go and give the treatment a go one day.”
The dance kicks off at 8.30pm with music from local band The Democrats playing from 9-11pm followed by a disco.
Kirsten added: “The community of Tarbert has the best support team I know, I’m looking forward to seeing all my hard work come together and everyone having a great time this weekend.”
Another dance will take place in Ardrishaig Village Hall on Hogmanay.
People can donate to to the Send Barney to China Fund by visiting
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/send-barney-to-china/273091#
.
Brian said: “I have lost my mum and three sisters to that illness. This has been a curse to the whole family. I have got a family tree that goes back to 1890 and there must be 20 or more people that have had ataxia. Hopefully this is the end of it. It is not a cure but it would be something that could control it.
“I am very proud of Kirsten for what she is doing.
“The best thing for me would be the thought of being able to walk properly again.”
Kirsten added: “I have found out that I have got the gene. With ataxia they are not sure when it will kick in. It could be this year or next or it could be 20 years down the line.
“It affects your speech, balance, walking, everything.”