A POSITIVE aspect of having Muscular Dystrophy - well at least to me it’s a positive one - is the fact that there are opportunities to participate in clinical studies.

I am always up for being a guinea pig and if I can help I will.

It is important to me to turn this disease into something good. For myself and others.

That reminds me of a time when as a child my mum’s pet guinea pig was nestling under a cushion on the sofa happy as Larry (whoever he is?) and her cousins came around and nearly sat on the poor thing.

She always had a soft spot for guineas, I would love to have a couple of pet ones and one day I shall.

In my mum’s memory I will call them Fran and Ida after her. And also commission my personal carpenter, me dad, to make me a hutch on legs so it’s easily accessible, with a ramp down to a run area. I have given up on bending down.

Anyway back to clinical studies. Last winter I took part in my first study which involved a trek to London.

London isn’t for me.

I’ve found in recent years that the escalators on The Underground move far too quickly for me and so when I try and step off them my hand has gone way before I can move my legs.

I always fear a nose dive and need someone in front of me to hold onto and help me step off safely.

It’s not the place to be at a disadvantage mobility-wise as everyone is always running around carelessly.

There are always unnecessary steps and scary lifts that never seem to end!

So avoiding The Tube I opted for a black cab to get me to the hospital. It was hard work getting in but getting out far much worse.

Luckily I had two of my aunties with me to help me out otherwise I would not of managed. It weren’t half a struggle.

I just couldn’t get off the seat, I think because there was little headroom and I would of had to be squatted in that gorilla stance again. And my poor knees can’t take it.

So The Underground is out and so too are black cabs. Trains aren’t easy either and it’s no good using ramps unless I have a hand hold.

There is now a second study that I am interested in but it is also London based.

Thankfully they potentially could come closer to me so I’m hoping they will. Even Oxford would be better than London but I shouldn’t mention the journey times to the hospitals should I? And the parking? No, no, let’s leave that there.

I did my bit recording travel times from home to the JR back in January. Only about two hours there, two hours back. Same as London really but it’s far easier for me to use the park and ride as opposed to trains, taxis and the speedy folk that don’t see the struggling person for the crowds.