NATA LIE'S BATTLE 'I TRY TO FOCUS ON POSITIVES'

After a devastating motor neuron disease diagnosis, the mum-of-two is making the most of life

- Jo Bailey

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.