Teacher Rob Hasler held a special assembly at Dean Valley Community Primary School to talk about his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
That was last July when he was using walking sticks. By the time Rob returned to school after the summer holidays he was in a wheelchair.
A month later Rob had to step away from teaching, coincidentally on the first anniversary of his diagnosis.
Rob and wife Reene had already held a difficult family conversation with sons Felix (14) and Arthur (12) to explain his situation.
Rob Hasler in the Leeds marathon with wife Reene and Paul Sharp (left) and Alex Wright.
Rob told the ‘Life at East Cheshire Hospice’ podcast: “I tackled it head on from the beginning. I didn’t want any unknowns, secrets, surprises or false hopes.
“I’m an open person and I wanted our sons, and those at school, to understand more about my disability.”
Rob, an experienced runner, now realises he had symptoms when he ran a sub three-hour marathon in April 2024.
Despite his ongoing challenges, last month Rob completed the Leeds marathon, named after Rob Burrow, who had MND.
Friends pushed Rob in a special chair which was crowdfunded for this event.
They are now setting up a charity called Give Us a Push, which will loan the chair and provide runners for people facing similar challenges.
Their efforts also raised £800 for the MND Association.
Dean Valley and the community at large continue to fundraise for Team Hasler, raising funds to adapt to his needs and provide support in the future. * To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/teamhaslermnd