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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Family's emotional message after fight against motor neuron disease

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Graham Horstman died six months after being diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) at age 51.
  • His wife, Leigh, described his attitude as facing the illness head-on, stating "It is what it is, we get on with it, and we move forward."
  • The family is sharing their journey to offer hope to other MND families, highlighting the disease's devastating impact and the lack of cure.

Graham Horstman faced motor neuron disease (MND) with the same resilience he showed on the football field, according to his wife, Leigh. Diagnosed at 51, he battled the progressive and fatal illness for six months before his death, leaving behind his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. "Graham's attitude was: 'It is what it is, we get on with it, and we move forward,' and that was just his whole outlook the whole way through," Ms. Horstman recalled.

Graham's attitude was: 'It is what it is, we get on with it, and we move forward,' and that was just his whole outlook the whole way through.

— Leigh HorstmanGraham Horstman's wife describes his approach to his motor neuron disease diagnosis.

MND is a devastating neurological condition with no known cause or cure. It relentlessly strips individuals of their strength, mobility, and speech, leaving them feeling trapped. The Horstman family, from Rockhampton, felt blindsided by the life-altering impacts of the diagnosis. "I didn't even know what MND was," Ms. Horstman admitted, adding, "As a family, we honestly had no idea."

It was heartbreaking … but Graham never faltered.

— Leigh HorstmanLeigh Horstman reflects on her husband's strength after his diagnosis.

Ms. Horstman is sharing her family's journey for the first time to provide hope to other families affected by MND. She fondly remembers Graham enjoying visits from his football friends, even when he could contribute little to the conversation. The early signs of the disease were subtle, with Graham experiencing stumbles and his knee giving way while walking. Despite surgery and physiotherapy, he felt no improvement.

I didn't even know what MND was.

— Leigh HorstmanLeigh Horstman expresses the family's initial lack of awareness about motor neuron disease.

After an extensive period of testing in Brisbane, Graham was diagnosed with MND on October 16, 2005. By Christmas, he was using a walking frame, a development he found deeply displeasing. MND, which gradually restricts functions like walking, talking, swallowing, and breathing, is considered one of the cruelest diseases. Recent public attention has been drawn to MND through the diagnosis of NRL player Jai Arrow and the death of former AFL footballer Neale Daniher, an MND campaigner.

As a family, we honestly had no idea.

— Leigh HorstmanLeigh Horstman describes the family's shock upon learning about MND.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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