I was born in Dublin but I have lived in London since 1988. I am married to Deirdre ( http://deirdre-amonkeyonhisback.blogspot.com ) and we have two children Kate(21) and Tom (18). I can't say exactly when I developed ALS, I had symptoms from late 2007 including the shakes, cramps and a slowly developing left foot drop. I finally went to the doctor after two heavy falls and when he put all the symptoms together he referred me to a neurologist, I was diagnosed within 6 months. I'm 51. I have since progressed to the edge of physical decrepitude.