A Tribute to Melanie Preston.

I first got to know Melanie soon after I was first diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia in 1993. We talked on the phone every week from then until we first met in October of that year at the Friedreich's Ataxia AGM. Mel was 19 at this time and she too had been diagnosed with FA by this time. Mel had been diagnosed with Diabetes just before that but never did she let either condition get her down. She just got on with life regardless and although both conditions caused her great inconvenience and frustration at times she was always determined to lead as normal a life as possible. She worked for the Social Services in Nottingham using the Access to Work Scheme to finance arrangements for a taxi to take her to work and bring her back to her parents house in Papplewick, Notts. She belonged to an 'Allsorts' group which provided opportunities for her to socialise with the local community. Mel was a very independent person and always good fun to be with and to talk to. She was very intelligent; always wanting to know more about whatever was being discussed. She had a good fashion sense and was a very attractive young lady. She was very adventurous and loved to travel and explore. She was present on the holidays I went to in Hong Kong, France, Israel and South Africa and she also went on Phab Courses in Guildford, Felsted and Westminster. In October 1998 Mel suffered a severe stroke caused by a weakening of the muscles around the heart. She never regained consciousness after this and passed away later that month. She has been and will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Me and Mel looking into the Dead Sea.	Mel with our friend Sian in a restaurant in South Africa.

Melanie Preston : August 1974 - October 1998