Watch: ‘You Need To Forget About Yourself’ – Bjorn Formosa Says He’d Support Wife Maria’s ‘Lifelong Dream’ To Have Children
Ever since he was diagnosed with ALS when he was just 28 years old, activist Bjorn Formosa has had his partner Maria by his side every step of the way. But as his condition progressed, one of her lifelong dreams ended up being put on hold.
In a new emotional interview with Lovin Malta, Bjorn opened up not only about his life’s toughest challenges and most painful moments, but also some of the more personal discussions between himself and his wife. And that includes the possibility of having children.
“It’s a very delicate subject, especially with Maria,” Bjorn told Lovin Malta’s David Grech Urpani. “It has always been her lifelong dream to become a mother, but as the condition progressed, she became always more fearful about possible complications to the newborn.”
“However, I am not selfish enough, and will second any choice of hers to have the baby, even if not necessarily with me. These are extreme life situations where you need to forget about yourself.”
Lovin Malta met up with Bjorn ahead of his ninth fundraising marathon next month… one which will help in the building of a third DAR Bjorn.
Paralysed and having lost the ability to speak, Bjorn (now 37 years old) needs to use an eye-tracking device and has his voice artificially recreated in English after painstakingly inputting his words, sometimes one letter at a time.
But he doesn’t let that stop him, sending out endless messages and contacting contributors and people on a daily basis, all through the device. And that’s exactly how this interview was made possible.
In the interview, Bjorn opens up about what kept him going throughout the last nine years despite being given two to three years to live, the most painful moment he’s had to endure, and if he has any new targets.
“Of course I have new targets,” he said, his eyes wide open as he tried to flash a smile. “I wouldn’t be living otherwise, and I’m not planning on dying anytime soon.”
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Meanwhile, ALS Malta’s next telethon, aptly named Sal-Aħħar Nifs (Until The Last Breath) goes live on 22nd September.
“In nine years, we managed to help thousands of patients in their homes with counselling and therapy, we opened two homes and we’re in the process of opening a third home, DAR Bjorn Respite” Bjorn wrote two days ago, with one month to go until the next marathon. “Every year is harder, because the muscles are just too weak. But the love of projects keeps me alive and active to keep on helping more people who need help.”
“Obstacles? You name them, we’ve had them all,” Bjorn finished. “But nothing is going to stop me from carrying on working until the last breath.”
Tag someone who needs to watch this interview and share this post to help raise awareness on ALS Malta’s next marathon!
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