Our Story.
Suffer well. Suffer strong
Life becomes more meaningful when you realise the simple fact that you'll never get the same moment twice.
Me, MJD & Fundraising
Hi! My name's Bec. I started fundraising for MJD research back in 2017, to create awareness for MJD and all people with disabilities. MJD runs in my family. At the beginning of 2017, my younger sister and myself had genetic testing to see if we had inherited the gene; we both received a positive result.
After receiving this outcome I wanted to actively do something about it. I didn’t want to just go with the flow and let life pass me by. I wanted to give my life a purpose. I know what it is like to grow up with a parent with a disability, and also have the added prospect that I may face the same suffering. I want to give hope to those going through a similar situation.
Out of this came the Ten Summits Challenge; a hike up the 10 highest summits in Australia over 5 days (raising $27,121.41 in 2018). We had planned to do a second Ten Summits Challenge but, due to the Black Summer bushfires, that was cancelled.
Then COVID happened and we had to think outside the box, we came up with the Jewels ‘22 Challenge; a virtual step challenge which had great success. 200 people participated and we raised $12,000. The Jewels ‘22 Challenge was in memory of my Mum, Julie Hickox who, sadly, passed away in 2018 at the age of 54 after a long battle with MJD.
We have changed our name to the 'MJD Walk for a Cure'. My family and I hope to make this an annual event as we recognise the importance of raising funds for research into MJD.
Fundraising for this cause has given myself and my family so many opportunities to have meaningful conversations, and to support others going through suffering and hard times; having to comfort such great pain and heartache definitely puts life into perspective! It teaches you not to be reckless with your time and to really value the simple things in life. I could not tell you the number of detours taken or extra hikes I have been on in my own pursuit to get the most out of this life.
In life, suffering is inevitable. Everyone suffers. We don’t get a choice in whether or not we suffer; we get a choice in how we go through it. So suffer well. Suffer strong.
At the moment I don't have any symptoms. People ask me how I feel about the future. My response: I focus on making the most out of today. But why should the way I live my life be any different to anyone else's? None of us know what will happen tomorrow. The only thing we have control over in life is what we do today.
Will you make a difference today? Will you donate and be part of the MJD Walk for a Cure?
Naomi’s Story