Colin Douglas was a fit and healthy man — but last year he began to know something wasn’t right.
The heartbreaking outcome of a trip to the doctor was a diagnosis of motor neurone disease, the devastating illness which has now claimed his life at the age of 47.
The former Broughty Ferry man’s family told how the “aggressive” nature of the disease had rocked Colin’s loved ones.
Speaking from their home in Kirriemuir, wife Lorna told the Tele how she quickly became her husband’s primary carer.
But she said he knew he was battling illness before he’d even seen a GP.
She said: “Colin was a very active man, he was a keen cyclist and a member of the Angus Bike Chain. He knew something wasn’t right prior to the diagnosis in April last year.
“He was falling over a lot, even off his bike, and he couldn’t keep up with other cyclists.”
The former Dundee City Council lighting technician, who had been Lorna’s rock while she was battling cancer prior to his diagnosis, was “shocked” when he was told he had the muscle-wasting disease.
Daughter Hannah, 20, said: “After everything that had happened with mum in the years prior, it was a kick in the teeth.”
Lorna continued: “After the initial diagnosis, the doctors gave him four years, but no one really knew how long he would get.
“It was quite aggressive, and week by week we started to see changes with him.
“It started with his feet, initially it was one stick to two sticks, crutches to a walking frame, then an electric wheelchair.
“It was hard to take considering he was such a healthy guy.”
Hannah added: “Dad really tried to push on with walking until the point he really couldn’t.
“At no point did I think he had given up.”
The family hoped Colin’s battle with the disease might have levelled off, but its aggressive nature meant it was a continued downward spiral.
Despite his rapid decline, the former Monifieth High School pupil continued to work right up until May this year with Bear Scotland in Perth.
Lorna said: “Initially he drove to work in an adapted car, then I drove him in.
“But his work were fantastic, they adapted the building for him.
“He had such a close relationship with his colleagues — they raised over £10,000 for MND Scotland.”
The family said that right up until the end Colin had concentrated on the good and they were quick to praise the work of charity Motor Neurone Disease Scotland.
Lorna said: “They have been extremely supportive throughout.
“We’ve had an MND specialist nurse during Colin’s battle and grants to adapt the house.
“The money was a result of funds from the Ice Bucket Challenge.”
Colin’s health deteriorated in recent weeks as he spent time in Roxburghe House in Dundee.
Hannah added: “The staff there were incredible, they made it a home away from home.”
Colin is survived by Lorna, Hannah, his sons Stuart and Sean and his brother Nigel.
His funeral will be held at Dundee Crematorium at 12.30pm tomorrow.
Colin’s family have asked for donations to be made to MND Scotland.