Let's Talk MND

Adam Dowling is living with SOD1 MND, a rare genetic form of motor neurone disease.In this episode, Adam shares what it means to discover your MND has a genetic cause — not just for you, but for your family and future generations.He talks about genetic testing and counselling, navigating conversations with his four children, and his treatment with Tofersen.Community has also become an important part of Adam’s journey. Connecting with others affected by MND has given him support, understanding and a desire to use his own experience to help others.“Connecting with others in the MND community has been invaluable. I want to share my journey and help raise awareness about the disease.”Adam’s story is about genetics, family, treatment, community and hope — and choosing to keep living life fully.

In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Shuttlewood, who shares her family’s journey following her father Peter’s diagnosis with MND.Sarah speaks openly about navigating MND from a daughter’s perspective — the shock of diagnosis, supporting her children through their grandfather’s illness, and the challenges of living hours away from her parents.It’s an honest conversation about changing family roles, respecting independence, and finding the balance between wanting to help and allowing someone living with MND to remain in control of their own life.

Professor Tom OxleyIn this episode, I’m joined by Professor Tom Oxley, CEO and co-founder of Synchron, a company pioneering brain-computer interface technology.We discuss how Synchron’s Brain Computer Implant is helping people living with Motor Neurone Disease regain independence by enabling them to control digital devices using only their thoughts.Tom explains the latest clinical developments, what the future holds for brain-computer interfaces, and why this technology has the potential to transform the lives of people living with paralysis.#BrainComputerInterface #Stentrode #ThoughtToText #CommunicationTechnology #AssistiveTechnology #MND #MotorNeuroneDisease #ALS #Neuroscience #DigitalInclusion #Independence #Synchron #TomOxley #LetsTalkMND #Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Marlene Lewis and her daughter Nicole to share the story of their husband and father, Shane Lewis, who lived with MND.Together, they speak candidly about the realities of living with MND in regional Australia, where accessing specialist care can be incredibly challenging. They also discuss the additional barriers faced by people diagnosed over the age of 65 who are ineligible for the NDIS.Shane made the courageous decision to access Voluntary Assisted Dying, and Marlene and Nicole generously share their experience of the application process, including the difficulties created by living in a regional area where even video medical appointments weren’t readily available.Above all, this is a conversation about Shane himself—a much-loved husband, father, mate and all-round great bloke.This is an honest and important discussion about love, loss, inequity, and ensuring every Australian living with MND has access to the care and choices they deserve.

Gary Suntup is a deep thinker, he is a psychologist he shares his personal journey of losing hobbies and passions due to health issues, exploring how this impacts identity and self-understanding.He also discusses his practice of radical acceptance.