Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Photo: Andre Elhay

Saturday night was an absolute hoot! In fact, so was Saturday afternoon. We played games, won prizes, ate food, chatted and enjoyed the night all for a great cause.

My buddy Leanne was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease about 12 months ago. It is a shit disease. No known cause, no known cure and no real treatment. For a few statistics, check the MND Australia website.

The reality of this is that there is minimal support out there for those with MND. The medical industry’s approach is, “You have about two years left, go and enjoy what you can.” The insurance company’s approach is, “We are good at taking your money but not at paying it back. Your symptoms don’t meet our criteria.”

Due to the rapid onset of this disease, it means you need loads of new equipment quickly. Wheel chairs, cycles, home adjustments and so on. It also means your partner can’t work as they need to look after you (and don’t even ask about how hectic the night time is what with cramping, minimal muscle control so have to be turned, and then needing to go to the toilet.)

This is where Leanne’s friends came in. Over 350 people got together for her FUNdraising. People generously gave their time, money, goods to help raise fund for her. I was privileged to be able to host the event. At the end of the evening, we had raised well over $30k for Leanne.

In her speech, Leanne remarked how important it was to hug your friends and those you love because life is fragile and when you are unable to do so, even when they are standing in front of you, it is tragic. Take time to appreciate what you have because when it is taken from you, you will miss it.

We humans think we are invincible yet life truly is very fragile!

But as the Beatles, Joe Cocker and even The Ice Haloes (ok you got me, it’s my singing quartet) tell you, you can get by with a little help from your friends.

What do your friends need today? How can you help them get by?