By JONATHON HOWARD
WHEN Noosa resident Kristi McClymont was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2012, she was both petrified and devastated.
Not only did she have to come to terms with not being able to drive or walk unaided, but she realised the precious moments she would miss with her three boys.
“My children are my everything,” she said.
“I am devastated that I won’t see my three boys graduate from school or university, I will never get to see them get married, or meet and cuddle their first baby.”
But Kristi has made the decision to remain positive.
“I’ve made the decision to make the most of what time I have left,” she said.
Motor Neuron Disease is a genetic condition and both Kristi’s grandmother and father have passed away from the disease.
It was Kristi’s story that inspired Sunshine Beach High School teacher Justine Bath to take up the “ice bucket challenge”.
The ice bucket challenge is a global fund-raising initiative to help with research and advancement towards a cure for the debilitating MND.
Ms Bath took up the challenge after she was nominated by a friend in the USA.
“At the time I didn’t know what the ice bucket thing was all about,” she said.
“But I did some research into ALS/MND and knew I needed to do something more than just a Facebook post.”
Mrs Bath got staff and students from Sunshine Beach High to get involved with fund-raising and awareness building through local media.
So far she has raised $500 and had students help tip a bucket of icy water over her head.
Sunshine Beach High principal Leanne Jensen-Steele is next in line for the ice bucket challenge next week, provided the school reaches $1000.
“We all need to play a part in helping to fund-raise to find a cure,” Mrs Bath said.
Lastly, Kristi said “thank you” to Justine and to the school community for their donations.
To find out more or to make a donation, phone Sunshine Beach High School on (07) 5440 4222.
