Steven Redgwell, 59, lives in Billericay with his wife and their rescue dog, Floyd. He has spent more than 40 years working in the insurance broking sector, but today much of his time is dedicated to supporting people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), a condition he was diagnosed with himself in 2018.
MND is a progressive condition that gradually affects the nerves controlling movement, causing increasing weakness in the arms and legs. For Steven, this has meant adapting his home and finding solutions to help him manage symptoms and maintain his independence, from through-floor lifts, to use of a walking stick and wheelchair.
As his mobility has become more difficult, using the toilet has also become increasingly challenging.
Steven’s occupational therapist recommended a Closomat Wash and Dry Toilet, and after researching the options, he decided it was the right solution for him. He has also had an Aerolet toilet lift installed, which works alongside the Closomat, to make getting on and off the toilet easier and safer.
For Steven, one of the biggest benefits of these pieces of equipment, other than being able to clean himself without assistance, is how they allow him to save energy.
When I was first diagnosed, I was simply told that I needed to conserve my energy, Steven explains. At the time, I didn’t really understand what that meant. Now I do. It’s a bit like having a battery. I have to think carefully about how I use it, so that it doesn’t run out when I need it.
The Closomat Wash and Dry Toilet and the Aerolet lift allow me to manage my battery. Removing the effort required to lower onto the toilet seat, clean myself and then get back up, leaves energy for other things that are more urgent, important or more enjoyable in my day, like spending time with my grandchildren.
Steven generally uses the toilet’s elbow pads to flush and activate the wash and dry function, but also has a touch-sensitive switch which requires only very light pressure to operate the toilet. This gives him an alternative if he is feeling tired and needs to conserve his strength.
The Aerolet lift helps Steven get on and off the toilet more safely, reducing the risk of falling.
I know I’m safe, and I can go to the toilet without having to think about whether I might fall or whether I’m going to be exhausted afterwards, he says. That gives me so much more confidence and independence, and ultimately a better quality of life.
Steven is keen to stress that aids like this should not be viewed as something to consider only when someone can no longer manage.
This is one of the most important things I share with people who are diagnosed with MND, he says. You don’t get these pieces of equipment when you can’t do things anymore – you get them so that they can help prolong your strength and function for as long as possible.
This is a message Steven now shares through the MND Foundation, the charity he founded in 2025 to help people living with MND access support, guidance and information, while also funding research and practical care.
A lot of what people need when they’re newly diagnosed is somebody to talk to, Steven explains. Sharing experiences can really help people understand what support is available and the simple things they can put in place early on to make a real difference to their quality of life.
Getting the right equipment is particularly important because MND affects everyone differently and can progress at very different rates.
When the disease progresses quickly, it’s really important to be able to get vital aids installed fast so that the person and those around them can benefit as much as possible, he says.
Steven found it difficult to accept support and equipment when he was initially diagnosed, as he felt he should continue to do everything as he usually would, so that he could remain independent.
I didn’t want to give in to the challenges that MND brings, he says. But once I found the confidence to use the things that help me, I realised that it was about working smarter with the strength that I have, and I was protecting my independence, not taking it away.
Having the Aerolet and the Closomat means I can manage my condition and day-to-day life more efficiently. They have had such a significant impact on my life, and I cannot recommend them enough.
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