Barry Jones Awarded 1st Dan Grade Despite Battling Motor Neurone Disease

Inspirational Pembrokeshire judoka Barry Jones has been awarded his black belt in recognition of his dedication to the sport, despite recently being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

On January 30th, Barry attended Neyland Judo Club, and to his surprise, he was presented with his 1st Dan grading. A passionate judoka for over 15 years, he was on course to earn his black belt before his illness took hold.

Barry’s wife, Holly Jones, shared her gratitude for the support the family has received:

“It was so lovely. We were so overwhelmed. They put on a party for him. Everyone has been so lovely to us with their donations and gifts.

“He has his good days and his bad days. We have been going to Cardiff for expert trials where he gets to trial three different medications which have all been repurposed to see if they provide any benefits.

“His legs are going, and he uses a motorised scooter. We’ve been through quite a bit. His kids are having a tough time too as their mum died a few weeks ago from a heart attack.

“I’m not sure if Barry is being strong for me and the family or if he’s just putting on a brave face. It’s been a huge life change. When I’m complaining about going to work, he says he wishes he could go instead.”

Barry, who worked as a professional pipe fitter, first noticed symptoms including restless leg syndrome, leg weakness, hand tremors, and unexpected falls before receiving his diagnosis. Despite maintaining an active lifestyle, doctors have given the 45-year-old a prognosis of two years.

He has spoken about the shock of the diagnosis and how the love and support of his family have given him strength in the face of adversity.

Despite the challenges facing him, Damon McGarvie, Neyland Judo Club Coach said “Barry is the epitome of a modern judoka. He is relentless, hungry to improve and thirsty for knowledge.

“Whilst he continually gives his maximum effort in everything that he does, he can also be relied upon to help anyone around him, supporting the juniors and beginners and always wearing a smile.

“Barry’s courage and spirit make him a role model to everyone around him and as a club we are very proud to have him as a member.”

Since his diagnosis, Barry has been following a gluten-free diet and taking medication that may extend his life expectancy by six months.

A fundraising campaign has raised over £15,000 to help Barry explore further treatment options. The goal remains at £20,000 to support his participation in clinical trials, purchase essential disability aids, and provide for his family during this challenging time.

For anyone who would like to offer their support to Barry and his family, the link to their GoFundMe page is attached below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/maintain-barrys-quality-of-life?attribution_id=sl:6842e894-2a16-4802-ad49-cea1a1a3f39f&lang=en_GB&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

We would like to congratulate Barry on achieving his 1st Dan grade, an accomplishment many aspire to. It’s truly inspiring to see him reach this milestone. Our thoughts are with him and his family, and we wish them all the very best for the future.

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