Australian Couple’s Tragic Love Story: Fighting Fate Against Motor Neurone Disease
Justin and Rachel Yerbury are a couple whose tragic love story is unfolding in front of the world as they both fight against motor neurone disease (MND). They met each other as teenagers and shared a passion for bushwalking and mountain biking. However, shortly after their wedding, MND started affecting his family’s members, including his mother, aunt, grandmother, uncle, and cousin. Justin, a molecular biologist, set on a journey to research the disease that was killing his family and became a MND sufferer himself. He won the prestigious Eureka prize in 2023 for his significant breakthroughs in understanding the causes of the disease. However, as the disease progresses, Justin’s body has become paralyzed, and he can only communicate through his eyes.
A Remarkable Partnership
The couple has been together for 31 years and never had a fight. Rachel notes that while they have had disagreements, they have never fought. Justin’s ability to see the bigger picture has helped him stay focused on his research and maintain a positive outlook in his life. They both have written memoirs of their partnership, with Justin’s Fighting Fate being published recently and Rachel’s Accepting Fate yet to be published.
Fighting A Losing Battle
MND progressively damages the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness, and there is no cure. Justin’s condition is the rarest, affecting only one in 10 sufferers, and his body is becoming paralyzed as the disease progresses. Rachel notes that the constant vigilance they need to maintain over Justin’s condition and the paralysis are taking a toll on her. She has completed a Ph.D. in psychology during this difficult period, and writing her memoir has helped her cope better.
Making Peace with Fate
The Yerburys have been watching Tim Winton’s documentary series on Ningaloo on ABC TV, and Rachel notes that it has a meditative effect on Justin. She believes that her memoir and Justin’s book, Fighting Fate, will spread a message that a cure for MND is within reach, even if not in time for Justin. Rachel has made peace with the situation and says that everything that needs to be said between the couple has already been said.
A Call to Action
The tragedy that has befallen the Yerburys is a call to action for governments and organizations around the world to focus on finding a cure for MND. The Yerburys’ remarkable love story and fight against the disease highlight the need for greater investment in medical research and infrastructure to support individuals suffering from MND. As Justin’s book spreads the message of hope and optimism, policymakers must take heed.
Sources: The Guardian
<< photo by Anh Trần >>
