Madi Bennett reveals heartbreaking details of mother’s death from Huntington’s

Geelong forward Gary Rohan has revealed his love for girlfriend Madi Bennett after she shared details of a personal tragedy.

Geelong star Gary Rohan has praised his girlfriend Madi Bennett as “incredible” and “strong” after she opened up about her family heartache during an emotional podcast interview.

Rohan also declared his love for Bennett, a physiotherapist, who he has been in a relationship with since last year.

“I’m so proud of this incredible woman, one of the strongest people I have ever met. I love you,’’ Rohan wrote.

Bennett opened up about her mother’s death aged 47, following a seven-year battle with Huntington’s disease.

Speaking on Power, Strength and Vulnerability: The Mental Health Podcast she revealed the emotions involved in dealing with personal tragedy as a teenager aged 19 in 2013.

“The disease definitely shortens your lifespan and it’s so variable, but you’re still probably expecting them to be around in their 60s and 70s,’’ Bennett, 27, said.

“But 47 was, in my opinion, was way too early.

“She didn’t have any quality of life there towards the end.”

Bennett added: “It was very much a part of my reality that I would lose mum earlier than expected, but her death was still quite sudden.

“It took us by surprise, but that’s a part of the disease — it’s so savage, and so unpredictable.

Bennett with Rohan’s children before his 150th match earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images

Rohan's post paying tribute to his partner.

“I don’t like to say this, it was almost like a relief when she passed away. To see her struggle through those final years, especially, was just so hard. I don’t remember a time seeing Mum when I wasn’t beside myself. You’re so helpless.”

Bennett said her mum was in a permanent care facility for the past three years of her life.

If a parent has the Huntington’s disease gene, the child has a 50 per cent chance of getting it.

Bennett got tested for the gene at age 23 and when it came back negative recalls breaking down in tears.

She said she never felt that maternal instinct but admits in hindsight it was a coping mechanism to say she didn’t want children.

Now she can’t wait to be a mum.

“It was never a reality for me … I just dropped, bawled my eyes out, went numb, shaky, sweaty, crying, all the words,’’ she said.

“I had written off so much of just being a normal 20-year-old, or even just a normal adult … I had stopped myself from getting excited about things.

“Having kids was never a consideration of mine and I always used to blame that on my two (step) brothers, I’m 10 years older than them. I’m 27 now and I can’t wait to be a mum and I’ll do it when the time is right.

“I always get told by so many close family, Mum was born to be a mum and she was busting to have me and it was her whole life and I know, having lived through it, I was her everything and I just want that so much now myself.”

Rohan split from Amie, his wife of four years, last year and they share daughters Bella, three and Sadie, one.

They went through the grief of losing Bella’s twin, Willow, in 2018, when she passed away five hours after being born.

Bennett, who briefly worked at the Cats, was by Gary’s side when he played his 150th game in May.

Originally published as Madi Bennett reveals heartbreaking details of mother’s death from Huntington’s