Ron’s story: Strength, love and the power of an unbreakable spirit 

On June 22, 2023, Ron Hobden, affectionately known as Hobbo to his mates, received a diagnosis that would change the course of his life forever. A passionate rugby player, devoted husband to Annie and proud dad to Lizzie and Henry, Ron had always embraced life to the fullest. A week out from running a marathon, fit, strong and filled with plans for the future, Ron had no reason to believe that anything would change.  

It was in a sterile neurologist’s office that he heard the words You have motor neurone disease. No cure. No treatment. Just a terminal diagnosis with a clock that suddenly began ticking louder than ever.  

“I remember Annie sitting beside me,” Ron explains, “and the way she tried to hold back her tears. I thought of our kids. Lizzie was three. Henry was one. How do you tell them their dad is dying?” 

In that moment, something in Ron shifted. Where others might have sunk into despair, he made a decision. Motor neurone disease would change his life, but it would not define it. It would never take his will to fight, his love for his family, or his ability to inspire. 

The brutal reality of MND 

Motor neurone disease doesn’t just change lives. It’s a thief. Ron, now lives in a body that no longer cooperates. He can no longer walk, hug his wife the way he used to, or hold his children in his arms.  

“My body is failing me, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it,” he details. “But the hardest part isn’t the physical loss. It’s watching what MND does to the people I love.” 

Annie, his wife and anchor, has become his carer. She balances being a mother, a homemaker, a nurse, and a source of strength. She does it all without complaint, but Ron sees the toll it takes. And yet, in the middle of such loss, there’s also an extraordinary beauty. 

“MND has taken so much, but it’s also shown me how deep love really runs,” he shares. “Annie is my hero. With Lizzie and Henry, they still see their dad, not the disease. They curl up next to me, tell me about their day, and remind me of what matters.” 

Finding strength in support 

For Ron, the unwavering support of his, family, his friends, his community and organisations like FightMND has provided glimmers of light. Two initiatives, which have received FightMND Care grant funding, A Friend’s Place and the Lived Experience Network have made a profound difference in his journey.  

“A Friend’s Place has helped our family cope with the emotional storm. It’s gentle, personal, and essential. I don’t want my memory to be a weight on my children’s shoulders. I want it to bring them peace,” he explains. 

“That’s what this place helps us achieve. It’s a place of compassion, where grief is met with understanding, and children are given the tools to cope. Not just survive, but thrive,” he reveals. 

The Lived Experience Network, meanwhile, has given Ron something he wasn’t sure he’d have again. A voice. 

“When you get diagnosed with MND, you feel powerless. But this program gives people like me a say. It lets us fight back. Not with fists, but with words, advocacy, and stories. It reminds us that our lives still matter. That we still have something to give. 

I’ve even written poetry for the first time since school. Not something you’d expect from a former rugby front rower!” 

Rugby, mateship and the power of community 

Rugby has always been a big part of Ron’s life. Since his diagnosis, that spirit of mateship has surrounded him. “It’s not what you say—it’s what you do,” he states. From his beloved Gordon club to rivals Norths, many with their own MND stories, Ron has witnessed extraordinary solidarity from the Rugby community. 

“But it’s the Gunnedah Red Devils I owe a massive shoutout,” he adds. “I’d retired six months before my diagnosis. But they’ve backed me every step since. This year, they’re donning Big Freeze Socks and Beanies for the second year to help fight the beast.” 

From backyard blitzes to fundraisers, it’s shown Ron that the values learned on the field, grit, mateship, heart, don’t stop at the sidelines. “What they’ve done gave me more than just a morale boost. It gave me hope.” 

Research, community and the road ahead 

For Ron, the importance of MND research cannot be overstated. 

“Research means hope,” he says. “It’s the only thing standing between despair and a better future. I know it might not save me, but maybe it’ll save someone else’s dad. Someone else’s partner. That hope is what keeps me going.” 

But to invest in research, FightMND needs the power of the Australian community rallying together to fight. For Ron, every Big Freeze Beanie worn is a powerful reminder that Australians are united in the fight. 

“It’s more than just a Beanie,” he explains. “It’s a symbol. It tells me we’re not alone. That people are with us. That Australians refuse to accept this disease as unbeatable. That’s what makes this fight winnable. Because people care.” 

Ron offers a heartfelt thank you to the researchers, carers, volunteers, the FightMND team, and everyone who’s taken up the cause. Because together, they are turning hope into action. And action into change. 

“And to Neale Daniher, there aren’t enough words. Neale is a beacon of strength, wisdom, and unshakable determination. He took the unimaginable and turned it into a movement that has changed the face of MND globally. He gave us a voice, a community, and a fighting spirit. He is, without question, a remarkable person and an utterly deserving choice for Australian of the Year. His legacy is extraordinary.”  

As Ron reflects “MND is a beast. But Australians don’t back down from a fight. Every time I see a Big Freeze Beanie is proof of that. It is proof that people care. That they refuse to accept that this disease is unbeatable. That they are willing to fight for people like me, for families like mine, for every future generation.” 

“This fight is not just about me and everyone with MND, it’s about Annie and every other partner who has had to be stronger than anyone should ever have to be. It’s about Lizzie and Henry and every child who deserves more time with their parent. But when we see those Beanies, when we see the entire country rallying behind us, it reminds us that we are not alone. It reminds us that people care. That people are willing to fight for a cure. Because ultimately it does take people. 

Motor neurone disease is brutal, but it will not win. We will beat it. Maybe not in my lifetime, but one day. And it will be because of every Big Freeze Beanie, because of every person who refuses to look away, who refuses to accept that this is just how it has to be. 

We will find a cure. We will change the future. And until that day comes, I will keep fighting.  

Because one day, we will win.” 

Live it forward for those in the fight this Big Freeze 

This Big Freeze help FightMND invest in vital research and projects supporting those living with MND, their families and their carers.  

Show your support by grabbing your Big Freeze 11 Beanie from Coles, Bunnings, select Shell Reddy Express stores, or online at fightmnd.org.au. 

Join the FightMND Army and be part of the movement. Wear your Beanie, host an event, or find creative ways to freeze MND—then share your efforts! Tag @fightmnd and use #BigFreeze11, #LiveItForward, #TeamUpForBigFreeze11, and #FightMND on social media. 

Let’s live it forward this Big Freeze 11. Together, we can beat the Beast.