August 2007 : Scotland meets Canada

Gavin, Sherry, Dave, Fawkes, Lynda and Alan

October 2002: England meets USA

Danny and Niki finally met another child with NM, Philip Bonvino.

October 2002: Scotland meets Spain

Dave, Maite and Alba

Outside an historic building in Leon, which is now a hotel

We took a walk around Madrid on day of arrival

Dave and Mar and her mother's weekend cottage

August 2002: Canada meets Scotland

NM Family Meeting 2001 : Florida, USA

The Salazars and Brandes drove the five hour trip up from Miami on our first Saturday arriving at our villa around 4pm. After introductions and some lovely presents for me, we all went out to the pool area for a few photos. The girls dipped their toes while Katrina had a swim.
German mentioned the big Derby Race on tv, so we all chose a horse and placed a bet. Wee Craig won the loot.
Everyone had a good chat before dinner and we decided to meet up at Universal Studios next day for a walk around in the mid day sun!

July 2000 : Spain meets Scotland

Mum and Mar in my Oriental garden

September 1999 : Scotland meets Canada and USA
Bruce Kennedy and Tony Pagnani
Mum, Bruce, Me, Leslie, Tim	The first person I ever met who had nemaline myopathy was Bruce Kennedy. Bruce lives near Niagara Falls, Canada. I had been chatting with his sister-in-law Leslie for a few months when we arranged to meet in 1999. This co-incided with my trip to meet Laura Pagnani and her family in Michigan. I had been chatting with Laura via email and ICQ for several months. And the idea of a trip to Michigan soon emerged. Mum had an old school friend who lived in Toronto, Canada. So we had a base to stay and explore one of the cities I had always wanted to see. After a couple of days in Toronto, I phoned Laura to arrange a convenient time to spend a few days in Michigan.Mum and I had such a laugh with Tonys family that we vowed to return. So we did! In September 2000. (We were invited.) Everyone got on like old family friends. And the 10 days passed too quickly. We look forward to our next get together.
Bethany, Sherry, Colton, Lisa, Laura and Tony Pagnani

NM Family Meeting 2001 : Florida, USA

Brigitte, Lucy, Dorothy with Paula and Katrina sitting.	The Salazars and Brandes drove the five hour trip up from Miami on our first Saturday arriving at our villa around 4pm. After introductions and some lovely presents for me, we all went out to the pool area for a few photos. The girls dipped their toes while Katrina had a swim. German mentioned the big Derby Race on tv, so we all chose a horse and placed a bet. Wee Craig won the loot. Everyone had a good chat before dinner and we decided to meet up at Universal Studios next day for a walk around in the mid day sun!
Carole, me, Brigitte, mum and Lucy	Paula, German, Kristina, Lucy, Brigitte, Dorothy Dave, Craig and Marion
Colleen Monagas	A few days before the end of our vacation, we drove from Kissimmee to Tampa in order to meet Colleen Monagas. Colleen lost a baby to NM. Colleen gave us directions to a fabulous old spanish restaurant where we had a delicious lunch. Next door was a shop which demonstrated the making of cuban cigars. So I bought a couple for a friend. Talk about burning money!

October 2002: Scotland meets Spain

Alba Montalvo


Dave, Maite and Alba	Outside an historic building in Leon, which is now a hotel


We took a walk around Madrid on day of arrival	Dave and Mar and her mother's weekend cottage

August 2002: Canada meets Scotland

Lynda Roy
	Lynda and Alan extended their stay in Scotland an extra day so that we could go up north to watch the Lonach Highland Games. The Games are hosted by Scottish comedian Billy Connolly who is a local landowner. We managed to blag our way through the gate to the main arena without buying tickets. It's amazing what a wheelchair and a few cries of "We can't see much" can do for you!

July 2000 : Spain meets Scotland

Mar Llamazares
Mum and Mar in my Oriental garden	The one and only person from Spain to contact me is Mar Llamazares from Leon. Her niece was just a baby and the doctors had very little knowledge of NM. Mar was keen to learn as much as possible from me. In June 2000, I invited Mar to come to Scotland and stay with me for 10 days. She even booked her flight ticket online while we chated! The weather was perfect from the minute Mar arrived at Edinburgh airport until the morning she left again. 10 days straight sunshine is almost unheard of in Scotland. Therefore we had a great time sight seeing almost every day. 3 castles and a Palace in one week! Places I had not been to in many years. Now I have promised to fly to Spain to meet Mar's family. Especially her sister Maite and niece Alba(NM). This promise has now been fullfilled. See below.