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In December 2012 our family lost its foundation when we lost Arthur Stevens. Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Uncle, Brother and Friend; Arthur was the rock of our family and beloved in his community.

One of the things we found the hard, as Arthur's MND progressed, was understanding his speech. That's why we, his youngest daughter, Suzi, and granddaughter, Debi, have decided to put money where our mouths are and join in with the Motor Neurones Disease Associations "Silence Speaks" campaign.

From Debi -

Ever since being little, I've been told I talk too much. Family and friends have often, jokingly, offered money to shut me up... Well, now's their chance to put their money where my mouth is and donate to this fantastic charity in memory of Grandaddy. I'll be going silent for a whole twenty four hours. No speaking to my children, no writing on social media; nothing. To communicate at home I'll be writing with pad and pen and on social media, I'll use videos and emojis only! - This is going to be difficult but I know I can do it!

From Suzi -

Dad was never a huge talker, mostly because he couldn't get a word in, belonging to a large family sometimes has its little drawbacks. However, he was good at communicating his feelings. He worked hard to raise me and my brothers and sister but would always let us jump on him and playfully beat him up! Just one look from him could fill you with joy or sadness.

That aspect of his character helped us to communicate once the MND had begun to take his speech. He found the devices he was given could be used to make us laugh and bring happiness to us instead of us always feeling down because of his failing health.

I wanted to do the day of silence to remind me of all those times Dad evoked an emotion out of me without saying a word. It was a struggle to communicate and Dad often got frustrated with it all. But through it all he fought hard and showed his family the depth of his courage.