The Mark Dower Trust is a small grant-giving Charitable Trust which was established by members of the Dower family in 2015. The aim of the Trust is to offer financial support to young, determined people in their pursuit of independence.
The inspiration behind the Trust
Mark Dower lived his life to the full before he died at the age of 41 years in 2003. Mark had Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) and was fiercely independent and driven. Though he loved his family and his home he wanted the same autonomy which other young people yearn for; the ability to make his own choices and to have his own space. The Mark Dower Trust aims to help similarly independent young people who have been diagnosed with Ataxia to develop and enjoy hobbies and activities and to enhance their skills.
Mark enjoyed painting and drawing as well as writing poetry. At the age of 19, he heard about an opportunity to live in a shared house and to attend college with other creative young people. He set about getting himself involved. When the local authority rejected his application for funding, Mark responded by conducting a ‘sit-in’ at the council offices, staying put all day until the officers agreed to review their decision. He won his fight and spent an incredible few years making life-long friendships, writing a book of poetry as well as beginning his autobiography. Whilst there, he learnt new painting techniques and held several exhibitions, selling his work to the public.
Mark enjoyed painting and drawing as well as writing poetry. At the age of 19, he heard about an opportunity to live in a shared house and to attend college with other creative young people. He set about getting himself involved. When the local authority rejected his application for funding, Mark responded by conducting a ‘sit-in’ at the council offices, staying put all day until the officers agreed to review their decision. He won his fight and spent an incredible few years making life-long friendships, writing a book of poetry as well as beginning his autobiography. Whilst there, he learnt new painting techniques and held several exhibitions, selling his work to the public.
Friedreich’s Ataxia is a rare degenerative disease of the neurological system. It leads to loss of coordination, balance and motor skills. Cognitive function is not impaired by FA but in Mark’s case he suffered loss of speech, vision and movement.
His first symptoms were noticeable by the age of three or four when he began to stumble and fall. By the age of 13 he began to use a wheelchair to get around. Eventually, Mark required 24 hour care to assist with basic functions including feeding. Incredibly, Mark never lost his sense of humour or his appetite to get the most out of his life.
To find out more about Ataxia visit the Ataxia website. http://www.ataxia.org.uk/
His first symptoms were noticeable by the age of three or four when he began to stumble and fall. By the age of 13 he began to use a wheelchair to get around. Eventually, Mark required 24 hour care to assist with basic functions including feeding. Incredibly, Mark never lost his sense of humour or his appetite to get the most out of his life.
To find out more about Ataxia visit the Ataxia website. http://www.ataxia.org.uk/