This MND Awareness Day, We Celebrate our founder, Euan MacDonald MBE

On Motor Neuron Disease Awareness Day, we honour our late founder, Euan MacDonald MBE, an incredibly special man who turned a life-changing diagnosis into a life-affirming mission to help others. 

Diagnosed with MND in 2003, Euan stepped up to challenge assumptions, inspire innovation, and create tools that continue to empower thousands of disabled people every single day.

We’re so proud of Euan and all that he achieved, and we’re honoured to continue his legacy here at Euan’s Guide. In case you don’t already know about Euan’s work, we hope you enjoy reading more about Euan’s Guide as well as his other initiatives, the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research and SpeakUnique, in this post.

Euan’s Guide: Confidence Starts with Disabled Access Information

After experiencing firsthand how hard it was to find reliable information about disabled access, Euan and his sister Kiki launched EuansGuide.com, the disabled access review website that helps disabled people and their families plan their visits with confidence.

With thousands of reviews written by disabled people, Euan’s Guide has grown into a trusted source of disabled access information used by tens of thousands each month. We’re proud to be told by our community that we offer more than just venue listings – we bring peace of mind, first-hand experiences and knowledge, and a sense of empowerment.

The Euan MacDonald Centre: Powering Breakthrough Research

Driven by a deep desire to support future breakthroughs in MND research, Euan co-founded the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research at the University of Edinburgh in 2007 alongside his father, Donald.

The Centre has become one of the UK’s leading hubs for MND research, bringing together hundreds of scientists, clinicians, and people with lived experience of the disease to drive progress in treatment, care, and ultimately, the search for a cure.

It isn’t just about science - it’s about giving people hope.

We’re happy to share that Euan MacDonald Centre is organising a two-day research symposium for MND research in honour of Euan, which will take place in Edinburgh this October. The symposium will feature speakers from across the UK as well as invited international speakers who are leaders in the laboratory and clinical science of MND/ALS. Booking isn’t quite open yet but stay tuned for more.

SpeakUnique: Helping People Keep Their Voice

For many living with MND, losing the ability to speak can feel like losing a part of who you are. That’s why Euan helped launch SpeakUnique, a service that lets people bank their voice early so they can continue to communicate using a personalised synthetic voice if their speech changes or is lost. Euan used SpeakUnique himself to create his, using his and his brother’s voices, which became a major part of his ability to communicate as his MND progressed. 

To date, SpeakUnique has helped thousands of people preserve one of the most personal parts of themselves: their voice. Its technology is powered by empathy, and designed to protect identity, confidence, and connection.

Did you know you can apply for funding once you’ve created your voice samples? Find out more at www.speakunique.co.uk 

Legacy in Action

From improving access and safety to funding world-class research and creating life-changing tools, we’re reminded just how much of an extraordinary impact Euan’s work has had.

Euan was awarded an MBE for services to people with MND and charity, a reflection of the scale and significance of his contributions - but his true legacy is visible every time someone visits a venue with confidence based on a disabled access review; or every time a disabled person feels safe in a toilet; or when people learn that researchers are one step closer to a cure.

This MND Awareness Day, Join the Disabled Access Movement

🧭 Find and share disabled access information at euansguide.com
🔬 Support research at euanmacdonaldcentre.org
🗣 Preserve your voice at speakunique.co.uk

Let’s honour Euan and his work together by continuing to build a world that is more accessible, more compassionate, and more connected.

Tags: mnd, motor neuron disease, euan macdonald centre for mnd research, euan macdonald, euan macdonald mbe, speakunique, euans guide, disabled acccess, Disabled Access Charity, mnd awarness day, motor neuron disease awareness day