Adam and Kylie Downs have shared the MND story of their much-loved mother and mother-in-law, Sandra Currie. She loved to spend time with her family, was a dedicated volunteer at her local hospital, and she enjoyed creating diamond art, which she continued throughout her battle with MND. MND NSW was there to support her at every step of her MND Journey, ensuring Sandy and her family could spend as much time making precious memories together, and that she could stay in the comfort of her own home with them for as long as possible.
Sandy was a beautiful mother to her only son Adam, grandmother to Blake and Jade, mother in law to Kylie, wife and friend to many. Sandy dedicated 13 years volunteering at Wyong Hospital on the shop trolley spreading kindness and compassion through the wards twice a week. She enjoyed spending her spare time completing diamond art masterpieces and spending time with her family. She was the definition of kind, always putting the needs of others before her own and there when you needed her.
In December 2024, Sandy's speech was a little slurred and over the coming months it slowly deteriorated and her voice became very quiet particularly at the end of the day. At the same time she began to notice weakness in her hands and legs and trouble swallowing foods. In July 2025, a referral to a neurologist resulted in a myriad of tests and on 22 September 2025 Sandy received a diagnosis of bulbar MND. She was now non-verbal and relying on a whiteboard to communicate and in October 2025 had a PEG tube inserted to assist with medications and eating and drinking.
Sandy's final four months were about making memories and enabling her to tick off the final things she wanted to achieve. These included watching her granddaughter graduate from Year 12 and turn 18, her grandson DJ, taking her family out for lunch at Trinity 8 restaurant which was generously supported by a MND grant, and enjoying one last Christmas and New Years Eve.
Sandy also wanted to complete one last diamond art masterpiece and it was only fitting that it was a MND cornflower. This was a labour of love and gave Sandy something to look forward to each day that she worked on with her son, daughter in law, granddaughter and grandson each day. No words were needed, a shared bond and closeness and a gift that will be forever treasured by her family.
Sandy wanted to stay at home and with the love and support of the local community allied health team, her medical team, palliative care team, her family and some end-of-life carer support her wish was able to be fulfilled.
Sandy also received free equipment from MND NSW and attended the local MND support group on two occasions. We are forever grateful for the care provided by these teams to Sandy and our family to enable Sandy to stay at home before her deterioration in quality of life and her care needs became too high that she made the courageous decision to utilise Voluntary Assisted Dying on 14th January 2026.
This May was Sandy's first heavenly mother’s day and birthday. In honour of Sandy and to pay tribute to her this month, her daughter in law and carer Kylie committed to doing 500,000 steps in May. Kylie smashed her challenge and completed 514,562 steps in May and donated $500 to MND NSW as a tribute to Sandy.
Thank you MND NSW particularly Estzer Wong for your kindness, compassion, equipment, education and financial support to enable us to spend precious time with Sandy loving and caring for her at home in her final weeks and days.
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