Sunshine Coast tradie Matt Heath’s last hope following MND diagnosis

A once fit and healthy SEQ tradie is terrified of his future after bravely battling a fatal and crippling MND diagnosis – saying his last hope is a rare treatment overseas with a one in 40 chance of improving his condition.

Matt Heath with his kitten Richard Parker. Picture - contributed.

A once fit and healthy SEQ tradie is terrified of his future after bravely battling a fatal and crippling MND diagnosis – saying his last hope is a $50k stem cell treatment overseas with a one in 40 chance of improving his condition.

Matt Heath, 41, of Moffat Beach, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) three years ago.

Once a fit, healthy, and active self-employed tiler, he’s now facing a cruel and debilitating death sentence like no other.

“Slowly but surely I’ve lost the co-ordination or ability to do most things,” Mr Heath said.

“It’s now trying to take away my ability to speak, go to the toilet, or on occasion breathe properly.

“It’s terrifying...but I refuse to give up hope.”

Bravely speaking out, Mr Heath said he started noticing symptoms more than five years ago.

“I knew something was seriously wrong, but it was hard to get a proper diagnosis,” he said.

“As far as western medicine is concerned there’s zero that they can do for me.

“If they come up with new research then they might give me a call in a couple of years.

“Otherwise my neurologist calls me once a year in September to check up and that’s about it for treatment.”

Matt Heath with his kitten Richard Parker. Picture – contributed.

MND is a group of diseases affecting motor nerves/neurons. The motor nerves carry messages from the brain to muscles via the spinal cord – allowing us to move, swallow, talk, and breathe.

In MND these motor neurons become damaged until they die and the messages will no longer travel between the brain and muscles.

The victim’s muscles will become weaker and weaker. Ultimately leading to paralysis and then death.

“They said I might have 10 to 20 years or five years to live,” Mr Heath said.

“I’m not far out of a wheelchair.

“Soon I will need a crane to get in and out of bed.

“Talking...as you can hear...is a big effort for me. People can understand me, but I’m slower and it’s draining and takes a lot of effort and concentration for me to speak. It doesn’t come naturally anymore.

“I’m not far away from needing a catheter bag either, which I’m dreading. It will be unpleasant.”

Despite the deadly daily trials he has been dealt, Mr Heath remains positive and hopeful.

“All you can do is stay positive,” he said.

“I’ve got lots of support from mates who visit me.

“I speak to my family a lot too.”

Matt Heath with his kitten Richard Parker. Picture – contributed.

Nearly a year ago Mr Heath adopted his kitten Richard Parker for company and support.

“The terrifying part of my life is thinking about the future,” he said.

“It’s a grim sort of way to end up. It’s scary.

“Although it’s nice to dream about being fixed up and walking again, at this stage any stem cells will only help my speech and some mobility...mostly internal things.”

Mr Heath plans to travel to a stem cell institute in Panama as a last hope of survival or even just improving his decaying quality of life.

“They have had really promising results in slowing down and in some cases even improving the symptoms of MND,” he said.

“They’ve sent me a quote for $30,000 USD.

“I’m waiting to hear back on when they have a spot for me.

“I’m hoping they’ll be able to help. I’ve been reading about it and there a few cases where it’s made a different.

“There’s a one in 70,000 chance to have this disease and a one in 40 chance the stem cells will make a difference.

“I reckon those are pretty good odds.

“It’s giving me hope.”

You can support Mr Heath here.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast tradie Matt Heath’s last hope following MND diagnosis