By Mitchell Clarke
Eight months ago, Pakenham’s Gavin Boloski was playing three matches of soccer and floorball and running 50-70km a week. Today, he has given up a 50 year love affair with soccer and now requires a walking stick and uses ankle supports to support himself.
The coach driver is slowly beginning to lose muscle movement in his legs – one of the varied symptoms of this deadly disease.
Sonya Boloski, Gavin’s sister said her brother was doing his best to not let the illness affect him.
“Gavin’s not letting his illness get him down, he’s got a second grandson on the way and he plans to return to Christchurch as often as he can while he is still fit to fly,” she said.
“He just wants to continue to work, he’s transported thousands of kids to the red centre for school trips, and it’s what he loves doing.”
Mr Boloski’s family have already been plagued with the reality of MND – they lost their father to the disease 27 years ago.
Joining his family, Mr Boloski led 250-odd participants, each who share their own personal connection to the debilitating disease, around Lakeside Boulevard for the ‘Walk to d’feet MND’ event on Saturday 4 May.
“To see the people of Pakenham come together at this inaugural walk was just amazing, the sense of community support was very real,” Ms Boloski said.
“MND doesn’t discriminate on your work, race, creed, family. We want to show that everyone can be affected by these awful diseases.
“It’s pleasing to hold something locally which addresses and brings awareness to this disease which hasn’t gained much attention until very recently.”
There is currently no cure to the neurological disease which affects 350,000 people globally each year, claiming 100,000 lives.
MND Victoria Walks Supporter Development leader Daniel Woodrow said the turnout was certainly far bigger than originally anticipated.
“We were incredibly thrilled by the local participation,” Mr Woodrow said.
“We even had one participated so motivated, they’ve decided they are going to host their own event sometime, down Traralgon way.”
The funds raised will go towards care and support equipment to assist those suffering from the debilitating illness.
Kylie Oxley-Smith and her family attended the walk in honour of their uncle and brother Peter Mouat.
Pete passed away from the disease in 2018 after three years living with the illness to the best of his ability. Eventually, he was forced to enter palliative care.
“If I could describe Uncle Pete, he was a man who had a huge heart. His life revolved around the animals he loved,” Ms Oxley-Smith said.
“His strength, determination and resilience were admirable. So much so in times of adversity and when this disease hit him, these characteristics truly shone through.”
Pete’s love for his small terrier Dotty was supreme. The cruel disease robbed him of his motor skills but it never took his compassion or attachment towards his four legged friend.
“Unable to hold a lead or even to speak and give commands, Dotty had become accustomed to walking beside Peter’s motorised wheelchair and would follow faithfully on this daily ritual,” Ms Oxley-Smith said
“On one day Dotty was brutally attacked by two dingoes, leaving Peter absolutely distraught and completely unable to intervene and save her.”
Dotty died on 10 March 2018 and Pete passed away in palliative care almost exactly a month later on 9 April 2018.
“He didn’t let the disease define him, his character remained and stood out until the very end,” Ms Oxley-Smith said.
The family hope that his legacy will continue to live on, using their heartbreak as motivation to raise awareness for this disease which leaves victims trapped inside their no longer functioning bodies.
“We are keen to raise funds and give back to the organisation that helped support him in real times of need and will continue to help others going through this horrific disease,” Ms Oxley-Smith said.
‘As we know there is currently no cure however until there is a cure, there is care.”
The Pakenham walk to defeat MND is expected to become an annual event, with organisers aiming to hold the event on the first Saturday of May.
