'Pretty remarkable' man living with MND for 29 years after diagnosis
The Queensland grandfather was diagnosed with motor neurone disease 29 years ago. He celebrated his 90th birthday last month.
John Dinon, now 90 years old, has lived with motor neurone disease (MND) for nearly 29 years, defying doctors' predictions that he would only survive two to five years after his 1997 diagnosis. His wife, Johanna, recalled the initial shock and disbelief they felt upon learning of his condition, with Mr Dinon famously asking, "What the hell is that?" at the time.
Slurred speech, a common early symptom, prompted their suspicion that he had been drinking, even though he vehemently denied it. MND Queensland's director of care services, Alicia Edwards, described MND as "the worst disease out there," noting its high mortality rate and limited understanding of its causes. Despite the challenges, Mr Dinon's story is hailed as "pretty remarkable" by those who know him, including fellow residents at the aged care home where he now resides.
Known as the local postie for his weekly mail deliveries, Mr Dinon remains a beloved figure among his neighbors, especially their dogs. His resilience and positive attitude have earned him the motto "never give up," which he wrote on his whiteboard.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
