A disabled Angus man told his family he loved them before he took his last breath, his heartbroken dad has revealed.
Daniel Mathieson, who was 23, was born with a cruel muscle-wasting disease and died three days after being rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee from his home in Arbroath.
His dad Norman told The Courier: “We told him we loved him and he told us that he loved us all. That was his last words. He took a breath and then he was gone.”
Daniel’s brother, John, died at the age of 21 in June, almost two years to the day after his youngest brother James, 17, succumbed to the same disease.
Daniel spent a happy festive period touring the attractions in the Florida sunshine after a local fundraising campaign reached its £10,000 goal. However, his condition quickly deteriorated.
Norman said it was a great comfort that all the family were with Daniel at the very end.
He said: “We are managing to keep things together but it’s been very hard. We are not really sleeping because it’s just so empty now without him.
“Our daughter Claire is totally lost without her brothers. She is just numb because she can’t believe it’s happened. You just can’t prepare yourself for something like this.”
Norman said he would remember Daniel as “such a great warrior” and “a fighter, right to the very end”.
He said the family would like to thank everyone at Ward 14 at Ninewells and also everyone who has sent cards and messages of support.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which affects around one in 3,600 boys, is caused by a gene mutation. Symptoms usually appear before the age of five and most patients are wheelchair-dependent by the age of 12.
Both Norman and Yvonne have campaigned to raise awareness of the condition and Norman said they will now go back to Holyrood to lobby for more funding for research and a Scottish testing centre.
As news spread of Daniel’s death, tributes poured in.
Dean Widd, regional development officer for muscular dystrophy charity Action Duchenne, said: “I am just very honoured to have known him.”
Daniel attended Angus College for several years and studied computing and media.
A college spokesman said: “Given his physical disability, his perseverance in gaining success gained the admiration and respect of both his tutors and peer group.
“Daniel was a great asset to the class and he will be sorely missed.”