DISABLED Mark Hall, 45, of Guiseley, who has muscle-wasting Becker’s muscular dystrophy, has been campaigning for several years for a specialist physiotherapist to be funded by the NHS.

Now the expert help is finally here, he is hoping it will massively improve his quality of life.

“Not too long ago, my condition took a turn for the worst. I was losing my balance, which was causing me to fall over quite a bit and sometimes hurt myself,” he said.

“I was referred to a community physiotherapist. While they were keen to help, they just didn’t have the expertise to deal with my condition. I was set unrealistic exercise goals including walking up the stairs and I ended up over-exerting myself, which left me feeling frustrated and downhearted.

“It is wonderful to know that hundreds of people in this area are now going to get support from a specialist physiotherapist. Adults affected by muscle-wasting conditions in the area were not getting enough support to manage the condition.

“Physiotherapy, coupled with individually-designed exercise programmes, is essential in maintaining the best quality of life, mobility and independence.”