Walk to Defeat MND Bundaberg is on 17th August from 9AM at Christsen Park, Bargara. Greg Buckholz will lead the charge as our Walk Champion this year and share his story.
What is a Walk Champion?
We know MND has directly impacted many in our community, which is why our wonderful community choose to make a difference. Their ongoing commitment to making a positive impact is commendable, and we've introduced the Walk Champion initiative to celebrate people that really go the extra mile!
Before each Walk, we ask a family or individual in our community who is participating for a loved one living with MND or is honouring those they've lost to this devastating condition, to be Walk Champion. The Walk Champion intentionally leads our Sea of Blue, and we'll share their wholehearted reasons for walking.
Introducing Greg Buckholz, leading Team Greg's Gladiator's
G’day everybody my name is Greg the president of Greg’s Gladiator’s and a proud father of my daughter Brianna.
Before this hideous disease reared its ugly head, I lived life to the fullest in ways that I consider myself extremely fortunate. Thankfully there isn’t much that I have missed out on, and for that I consider myself blessed.
For almost all of my working life I have been in rail, with the last 30 years spent as a locomotive driver, and this is where my MND story begins.
Around October 2022, I started experiencing both of my hands starting to shake, this was initially diagnosed as stress so I took a break from work, obviously I still experienced my hands shaking and slowly worsening even after I had gone back to work. During 2023 I was then diagnosed by 2 doctors that I had carpal tunnel issues in both hands, which was not considered unusual as I had smashed both my hands in a motor cycle accident. An appointment with a specialist was made to schedule carpal tunnel surgery, this surgeon immediately referred me to a neurologist. We all know about those bloody needles they use to check your nerves!!! After that appointment was over I was speaking to the neurologist in the admin area and he gave me one of those Blokey-half-hug/pats-on-the-shoulder and it felt like a pinch on the arse by the grim reaper. Formal diagnosis was on the 26th July 2024, exactly 1 month after my 56th birthday.
Before this I had thought my life was full, but since my beautiful daughter Brianna came into my life in 2009, her birth filled me with love, laughter, pride and even more so since my diagnosis. The love I feel for this girl is unmeasurable, and sadly the pain I now feel is a burden to my heart, knowing that I won’t be here to help her navigate life the way a father should.
Before Brianna came along I lived a life as a bit of a gypsy. Motor cycles were my life and passion. This passion afforded me many adventures and life long friends, my uncle Snow riding beside me. This passion has also seen me ride over the highest passable road in the world through the Himalayas and most parts of northern Thailand.
Travel was a big part of my life, and fortunately since my diagnosis I have been able to take Brianna on an overseas holiday to Europe, flying return business class to London which we both thoroughly enjoyed and she will have those memories for the rest of her life. We both had so much fun and spent so much quality time together, particularly with her Aunty and Uncle there also.
I have been fortunate thus far in my MND journey with support from specialists, CollisCare carers, friends and most of all my beloved family, which CollisCare has become a part of. My family and friends have rallied around me and supported me since day one, for me this is such a beautiful feeling. This family of mine also understands and respects my decision to opt for VAD. Regardless of your thoughts and opinions on VAD, unless you have MND, I will please ask you to not judge peoples decisions suffering with this hideous disease.
One thing this hideous disease has taught me is to have no regrets. Draw a line with all of that behind it, there is no going back, make the most out of life while you can.
Fun is the best thing to have.
Here’s to life,
Greg
If you haven't yet signed up for the Bundaberg walk, pre-registration will be open until 11pm Thursday, 14th August. If you miss out, don't worry, you can still sign up on the day. Fundraising pages will remain open for several weeks after the event.
Register for the Walk