Carers Week 2026 | Ash's Story
October 11, 2026
Just Keep Living
Ash's mother is living with MND.
This Carers Week, Ash shared what he has learned while caring for his mother on her MND journey. Read his words below.
"Caring for Mum through her MND journey has certainly brought challenges, but one thing we have tried really hard not to lose is living.
MND changes plenty of things, but it doesn’t mean that the things that bring us joy, connection and a few laughs together have to stop. We’ve tried to keep taking Mum places, creating experiences and making memories, sometimes it takes a bit more planning, a wheelchair, a few extra hands and plenty of teamwork, but it’s worth it.
We’ve also realised that caring for Mum isn’t just Dad’s job. Dad is her primary carer and does an incredible amount every single day, so as a family we’ve tried to make this a team effort. Sometimes that means helping with Mum, and other times it means getting Dad away for a footy game, a day out or simply giving him a chance to recharge.
I think that would be my message to other families travelling this road: embrace your team. Let people help. Share the load where you can. Look after the carer as well as the person living with MND.
And amongst all the appointments, equipment, changes and challenges, try not to forget to just keep living. Keep going places. Keep laughing. Keep making memories. Keep finding the good moments.
MND might change how we do things, but we’re determined not to let it take away the time we still have together."
National Carers Week 2026
October 11 to 17 is National Carers Week — an opportunity to recognise, celebrate and raise awareness of the more than 3 million Australians who provide unpaid care to a family member or friend.
The 2026 theme, “Care for a carer: Making carers visible”, shines a light on the invaluable contribution of unpaid carers and encourages all Australians to recognise, support and care for the carers in their families, workplaces and communities.
If you have cared, or are caring, for a loved one with MND, we see you and we support you.
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