Ian Pratt
Founder and Living with MND

On the 10th of September 2012 at the age of 42 I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. My diagnosis followed months of tests that were triggered by some muscle cramps and fasciculations dating back to 2008. The most significant indicator that something was seriously wrong was when I lost 20kgs with no apparent cause.

The words “in my heart of hearts, I believe that you have a slow-progressing form of Motor Neurone Disease” were delivered by Professor Pamela Shaw. Catherine and I were devastated. All I wanted to do was pick my little Georgiana up from nursery and hug her like I had no tomorrow because at that point I knew that my tomorrows were indeed limited.

My first year living with the disease was by far my toughest emotionally. Each milestone in the year that we all celebrate I would wonder if it were my last. It wasn’t uncommon to burst into tears for no apparent reason other than this vile disease taking hold.

Fortunately, in life, I had worked hard, played hard, saved for a rainy day and travelled extensively so my bucket list was empty other than for the things money can’t buy like seeing Georgiana grow up and spend time growing old with my best friend Catherine.

We are under no illusion of the devastating nature of this disease, it has slowly deprived me of my ability to walk, to move, to eat, to talk and to breathe without assistance.

At some point, Motor Neurone Disease will rob my beautiful daughter Georgiana of her Daddy. I know that I may not live long enough to see Georgiana grow up and I may not be there to support, encourage and protect her.

My wife Catherine has become my arms, my legs and my voice as I increasingly struggle with simple day to day tasks. She is my absolute star, without motivation, my candle would have extinguished long ago.

I want to raise awareness of this insidious disease and live in hope that a cure will be found to prevent it from devastating other families as it has mine.

Motor Neurone Disease is not selective on who it attacks.

We established the Ian Pratt MND Foundation to support families, raise awareness of this vile disease and work together to help find a cure.