Yorkshire man with MND to point out pictures at Rob Burrow Centre

Photos taken by a person dwelling with motor neurone illness (MND) are to be displayed on the new Rob Burrow Centre.

Work by Ken Blackburn, from York, will adorn the partitions of the specialist facility being inbuilt Leeds and named in reminiscence of the the late Leeds Rhinos star.

The 67-year-old, who was requested to contribute his work by Leeds Hospitals Trust, mentioned pictures allowed him to “get outdoors into nature and forget about MND for a while”.

“It’s a real honour being asked to contribute, and has really helped me to feel I can give something amazing back to MND patients and their families,” he mentioned.

Mr Blackburn was recognized with MND in 2020, though he mentioned he had been experiencing signs of the situation for almost a decade earlier than.

He has major lateral sclerosis (PLS) – a rarer, slower progressing type of the situation – and now makes use of his all-terrain wheelchair to get round outdoors.

Prior to his analysis, his retirement plan had all the time been to change into a semi-professional panorama photographer.

“I really think photography gives me a mental boost, he said.

“I’ve discovered my joyful place out in nature which is healthier than any drug.

“It certainly has a calming effect on me.”

Mr Blackburn has shot recognisable countryside scenes from throughout the area, together with Fountains Abbey, Castle Howard and Yorkshire Arboretum.

Some of his favorite pictures consists of wildlife; specifically purple squirrels which he mentioned he needed to be “very patient” with the intention to seize.

While taking footage from his powerchair proved to be “challenging at first”, he has learnt to beat its limitations and discover the most effective place to shoot from.

According to him, there’s a temptation too stray too far, which as soon as resulted in his chair being extracted from a lavatory – however fortunately everybody noticed the humorous facet, he mentioned.

For the final 4 years, Mr Blackburn has additionally created a calendar of his photographs, which has helped to boost £2,500 for the charity MND Association.

He has been invited to the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in December to view his paintings.

The £6.8m facility, at Seacroft Hospital is because of open later this yr, and can provide care and help to these with motor neurone illness and their kinfolk.

Mr Blackburn mentioned it meant lots that his footage might serve function, leaving a legacy after he strikes away from Yorkshire, to relocate to Northern Ireland.

“I see it being something that other local people with MND can enjoy in the future,” he added.