Walk to Defeat MND Sunshine Coast is on 12th October from 9AM at Rotary Club Park, Mooloolaba. John Toole will lead the charge as our Walk Champion this year and will 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 John Toole's Story
I was born in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea on a coffee plantation. At the age of nine, I went off to boarding school — first spending five years in Sydney, then continuing my schooling in Toowoomba. When I was about 17, my parents moved down to Australia from New Guinea.
After finishing school, I worked in the shearing sheds as a wool classer for about eight years. I then joined the family timber business and worked in it for 46 years until I was forced to retire. During that time, I helped run the business and kept it going until my diagnosis.
While raising our children, my family and I went on many four-wheel drive trips — across the Simpson Desert, up to Cape York, and really anywhere there was a dirt road that looked like it needed to be explored. We always enjoyed getting off the beaten track and spending time together.
I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2024, although I believe I had been living with it for a while before that. After my diagnosis, I retired and one of my long-time suppliers took over the business.
Since then, I’ve been managing life with MND with the great help of my wife and family. My wife has been my best supporter, and the whole family has been wonderful. We still get together regularly for weekends away, which have been fabulous.
One of the most special memories for me happened not long after my diagnosis. The family had booked a house on Moreton Island for the weekend. When we got there, the grandkids said, “Granddad, we forgot to tell you — there are some stairs.” I said, “That’s OK,” and made my way up. Then they said, “Oh, we forgot to tell you — there’s another set.” I started heading up again, and behind me were five grandchildren, saying, “Don’t worry, Granddad, we gotcha.” That meant a lot to me. It melted my heart.
I used to really enjoy four-wheel driving, but now that I can’t do that anymore, I’ve found a new interest in sorting through my photo collection. Over the years, I’ve taken around 33,000 photos, so it’s a big job — but it’s keeping me busy, and that’s the plan.
MND Queensland has been a great support to me. I’ve done voice banking with their help, and I’m in the process of writing my life story with support from their team. Everyone from MND QLD has been so helpful and supportive — especially the fortnightly online sessions on Thursdays, where I get to talk with other people living with MND. I really appreciate that connection and the understanding that comes from speaking with others who get it.
I’ve been involved in two Walk to Defeat MND events so far — one on the Sunshine Coast and one in Brisbane. I’ve got another Sunshine Coast walk coming up soon, and I’m happy to be doing what I can to raise money to support others living with this disease. Every little bit helps.
Having MND has taught me that while we can’t change the fact that we have this disease, we can make the most of every day. I try to keep moving — I go to the gym and to the pool with my exercise physiologist. Hopefully, it helps keep things going for as long as possible. My attitude is: if these nerves are going to eat away at my muscles, they’re going to have to bloody work for them.
I’m a very social person, and something that really drives me is getting out on my scooter and heading down to the coffee shops. They all know me there. They say g’day, they smile, and some of them sit down with me to have a coffee, a snack, and a laugh. It’s just so nice — people are really caring, and it makes a big difference. It’s hard not to smile when you’re surrounded by good people.
To me, it’s not the end of the world — it’s just another phase of life. I believe in enjoying each day and smiling whenever I can. A big smile makes you feel good.
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