Oasis Magazine - Cairns & Tropical North Queensland Issue 28 - Feb | Mar 2019 | Page 15

HEART
OF A LION
Joelª Mundie was born in Cairns a healthy 9-pound
baby, joining his b r o t h e r W a d e , w h o w a s three
and making the family complete.
Joel was hitting all of his milestones until one Sunday
afternoon when he was six months old.ªJoelªwas on
his mat in the lounge room and just wouldn't stop
crying,ª when his mum Fiona picked him she
describes that he” felt like a piece of jelly there was
no muscle tone anywhere in his body” he then went
as rigid as a board. ª Heading into the Cairns Base,
Fiona’s mother’s instinct just knew something
wasn't right even though the crying had
stopped and he was back to his happy self.
It was in the emergency ward staff that noticedª-RHOª
had no movement from the waist down,ª after a few
discussions he was monitored for the next 24 hours
for changes. ª Nothing changed and the family took
the next flight to Townsville for a spinal tap and MRI to
be performed to continue to look for answers. ª The
MRI confirmed there was some inflammation around
his spine so he was prescribed steroids and in isola-
tion. The distraught family were toldªhe could of had a
stroke,ª he could have had a reaction to his Polio
vaccine or perhaps a virus had attacked his body. The
family had no answers, just more questions.
In Brisbane they received the initial diagnosis of
Transverse Myelitis; a rare neurological disorder that
has affected his nervous system (sensory and motor)
and left him with spastic dysplasia in his legs. The
cause -ª a simple virus that took a “detour” with
devastating effects. Fiona was told that Joelª would
never walk,ªhave movement in his legs and never gain
bowel or bladder control.ªStanding there listening to
the diagnosis the family didn't ask "why us" they said
“right,ª rehabilitation starts tomorrow and we are
going to give this kid every bit of independence he can
have”. ª They spent many, many months and years
visiting the Royal Children's hospital in Brisbane
where both boys attended hospital school at times
due to the length of rehabilitation periods.
13 1/2 years later Fiona describes Joel as strong,
stubborn,ªindependent with the heart of a lion.ªFiona
says they tackle situations as they arise as unfortu-
nately there is no medical or life text book where
we can turn to page 20 to find the answer, we have to
write these pages as we go. Joel has gone on to be an
accomplished swimmer, this year he competed in 12
races at the Queensland State championships taking
home eight golds and ten Australian records.
People often can’t appreciate or understand how hard
Joel’s world can be because he makes people feel
comfortable around him.ªHe is also just like any other
14-year-old teenager and tests Mum and Dads
boundaries daily!
The 11th Annual Rare Disease Day Fun Run and Walk
will be held on the Cairns Esplanade (the Northern
end at the Fun ship playground) on Sunday February
24 from 8:30am. The event consists of a 3 or 5km run
or walk and sausage sizzles. Participants who
preregister online at www.rarefriends.org are eligible
for one of the fantastic prizes donated by local
tourism operators.