Rob's

Mito Mission

Based in Walkden, Greater Manchester

Hello, I’m Rob, from Walkden, Greater Manchester. My story shows how my family are impacted across generations, and how my symptoms have prevented me from working and even getting to vital medical appointments.

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Read Rob’s
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Mission

Rob's

Story.

September 2026

My journey with mitochondrial disease officially started in 2017, when I was in my 20s. In 2019, I fell and broke my ankle and after that, my symptoms increased in severity. By 2020, I was experiencing dizziness which was only getting worse, vertigo, trouble with my swallowing and mobility issues. I get pain in my legs and struggle with my balance and walking,

I get pain in my legs and struggle

with my balance and walking...

…and have started having issues with my hearing too.

My mum Pamela and my sister Olivia both have mito too, so I knew I was likely impacted when they received their diagnoses at the same time in 2020. We all have the MT-ATP6 genetic mutation and we all live together at the moment. Olivia is younger than me by two years and was initially diagnosed with arthritis, but later it was discovered that she had mito. She has dyspraxia and hand-eye coordination issues, but is still able to work at the moment.

My mum and I are affected worse than Olivia; Mum really struggles and has had quite a few falls. They found floating bodies in her knee after a scan at hospital. Olivia and mum have been to the Newcastle Specialist Clinic.

Unfortunately I haven’t yet been to attend

an appointment as I struggle to travel independently.

I have tried to access support for this but it’s been really hard.

I used to enjoy playing football and keeping active but I’ve been unable to do this more recently and stick to playing computer games and going for limited walks. I’m not able to work anymore, but I used to really enjoy my job in retail. I loved being around other people and customers, and I’d really like to find a job that I can still do with the right accessibility provisions.

With my mission,

I would love to

raise awareness, connect with others impacted and increase my confidence.

Awareness is so important, because having an unknown,

unrecognised illness can make it harder to access much-needed support

I think we need more specialists and more education amongst medical professionals.

Any support is

very much appreciated

Get involved and

support Rob's cause.

Any funds raised by Rob’s mission goes to My Mito Mission’s
central funds to be granted towards research and support projects
to benefit everyone affected by mito.

Spreading the word, following, sharing, as well as donating and raising funds are all really helpful and valued. From running a race to holding a bake sale, hosting a collecting can to giving out Rob’s Mito Mission leaflets – there are so many ways in which you can get involved.

If you’d simply like to donate to Rob’s mission, choose a way that suits you below.

Be a Part of Project 1000 Strong

Regular donations are the most powerful way to support our vital work, allowing us as a small, high-energy charity to plan and build from a strong foundation.

Strengthening the future of mito awareness, support and research.

We need a 1000 strong team of amazing people to donate any amount from just £2 a month. 1000 is a lot, but – one by one – we know that we can reach it. Find out more here.