Eric has always been artistic, creating detailed landscapes with pencil and watercolours.

Around 10 years ago Eric started experiencing dizziness, headaches and a loss of balance. After years of investigation, the 62 year-old was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a progressive neurological disorder in 2021.

It’s caused by degeneration or atrophy (shrinking) of nerve cells in several (or multiple) areas of the brain. This can result in problems with multiple bodily functions such as speech, movement, balance and blood pressure control.

Recent research suggests it affects about 4.5 people per 100,000 so that at any one time there are almost 3,300 people living with MSA in the UK. Parkinson’s disease is about 45 times more common, affecting about 210 people per 100,000 in the UK.

Eric condition is progressive and he is now unable to stand up or walk unaided, with his speech beginning to be impacted.

Living with the progressive symptoms of MSA has meant finding new ways for Eric to express his creativity and talents.

For the past three years, Eric has been working with Laura, a Creative Arts facilitator at Strathcarron Hospice, who also supports Eric and his family by providing regular emotional support through the Hospice’s Live Your Life helpline.

Together they have explored how Eric can continue to create pieces of art that he can leave as a legacy to his family. He also creates artwork which he sells to fundraise for the Hospice to give something back for the care and support he receives.

Every few weeks, Eric and Laura meet in the Strathcarron Art Studio. 

While the main purpose of these visits are to work on Eric’s artwork, they chat about how he is feeling and how his wife (his primary carer) is doing.  These conversations are just as important as any progress made on the paintings. 

When at home, Eric works on his art, which he says helps give him a sense of purpose and keeps his mind focussed. Creating art also helps with his dexterity and keeps his fine motor skill muscles active.

Eric, who used to work for Clackmannanshire Council and was a horticulture supervisor, also cultivates plants and flowers to share with his friends, and he donates plants to Strathcarron Hospice to sell on for fundraising.

Eric said: “I’ve always enjoyed creating art as a hobby. When I was diagnosed and symtoms have progressed it’s been tough. I have been able to continue to create art with Strathcarron’s support.

It has been tough, as I spent my whole working life solving other people’s problems, now I am relying on others to help solve mine.

Some days are worse than others but I don’t give up, I just do what I can. I set myself small achievable goals.

Laura has helped me greatly. She has given me self-belief.

I have learned a lot and had to adapt to realise it’s okay not to use brushes and pencils. I had fixed ideas of what art should be and you had to use a brush or draw and it had to be detailed. Laura has taught me otherwise. There is a freedom of what art can provide.

I give it all a go now and take the attitude that it’s worth a try. You don’t need to use a pencil or a brush or worry about confirming.

Strathcarron has provided emotional support and through creativity.

It gives me a sense of achievement and a sense of purpose.”

Eric added: “My MSA nurse told me not to focus on what I could do before, but what I can do now. She said if you can’t do that – do something else. I think what you give is as important as what you get. That’s why I like to give something back and help the hospice by fundraising.”

Laura said: “Strathcarron has provided emotional support through creativity and we speak to Eric and Dot regularly through our Live Your Life support line and we ask ‘what’s important to you’.

I’m here to be their cheerleader, to walk alongside those we support and be a facilitator. It’s important they know they can come and make a mess and just enjoy the process, learn to use other materials and have independence with it. It’s about finding different ways to paint that work for Eric.

“Eric gives back in ways that some people will never give to a charity, despite the challenges he has been and will face.

“He is very humble about the ways he supports the Hospice and the artwork he does. We always look forward to him coming in. He also brings in young plants to sell to staff with money going to the hospice. He says it’s a way to give back, it keeps him busy and gives him a sense of purpose.”

She added: “We adapt the art work and do what we can so that those we support have full autonomy over what they are doing. Eric has developed some additional involuntary movements now and we work with that. The only time we step in to help with their work is if asked.

Eric is also creating art work at home which he says keeps his mind focussed. We also find the work also helps with his dexterity and keeps his fine motor skill muscles active. The hand massage he receives when he arrives from our volunteer Bill also alleviates his symptoms for a while.

We have built up a sense of trust that everything will work out fine just to give it a go. When things are heavy we can still take on these challenges.”

Eric’s wife Dot added: “Like many people I truly thought that the hospice was for supporting cancer patients at the end of life.

“Well now I know that’s certainly not the case as the Live Your Life Team support Eric to live life to the fullest life he can by achieving what he can, in a way he can, during his MSA journey.

Laura guides Eric on art projects in ways he can manage to produce remarkable results which highlights the naturally talented artist he is even now, and not letting MSA rob him of his skills.

The impact on his mental health seeing his work admired by others is phenomenal, as it the support and guidance he receives while not being judged for his appearance or lack of abilities.

Though the hospice team are there for me at times when I’m struggling primarily through choice Strathcarron is where Eric can have time away from the house and me in a friendly environment surrounded by understanding nurses who are eager to learn how MSA affects him in order to give him maximum support.

The NHS have a fire fighting approach to supporting neurological conditions while the support from the hospice is constant and consistent which makes life that good deal easier.”

 Volunteer Bill giving Eric a hand massage before the art session starts 

Published 18 May 2026