The date 1 March 2022 will forever be etched in the memory of Dr Natalie Gauld as it's the devastating day she was told she had motor neurone disease.
"The first month after my diagnosis was horrendous," the Aucklander recalls. "My family and I grieved for what we would be losing. Then after a few weeks, I thought, 'I'm not going to get in a wheelchair and regret wasting time feeling sorry for myself!'
"So I got on with making the most of my mobility, and having fun and different experiences. I try to take one day at a time and focus on positives. It's good for me and it's better for others that way." The impact of her illness on her family, including husband Matt, and daughters Lauren, 23, and Brenna, 21, is something that worries Natalie, who was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to health and pharmacy.
"My husband and I are in our fifties and should be enjoying our freedom after years of bringing up kids, but instead he's having to support me through my increasing disability. And I feel bad I won't be there for our daughters in the future." A shared sense of humour is something that keeps them all going, she says.
"Our family has black jokes about the disease and I love catching up with friends for a good laugh." The clues things were amiss started in 2019, when the formerly active pharmacist noticed some arm weakness and an inability to keep up with her friends when walking.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 8, 2024 من Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 8, 2024 من Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!
Jessica Biel is reeling after her husband Justin Timberlake's shock arrest in the Hamptons during a night off from his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!
The actor discusses working with Julianne Moore on Mary & George, from Wednesday on TVNZ+
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA
Theatre queen Scarlett reveals her behind-the-scenes struggle
EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'
The Matakana mum's morning sickness was so extreme, she was hospitalised 20 times
CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY
How family helped the rising rugby star bounce back from his shattered Rugby World Cup dreams
AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER
From Italian prison to US podcast host, Amanda has reinvented herself in a big way
SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK
The acting duo reveal why a tragic loss has left them scared of starting a family
PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!
The groom's TV confession left his bride reeling from the start
POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE
A bombshell book has opened up painful wounds for the family