Deception Bay couple begin epic journey west

Deception Bay couple Kevin and Leanne Gray hit the road today on the trip of a lifetime.

They’re caravanning across Australia in tandem with fellow North Brisbane 4WD Club member Carole Tailor, headed for Perth.

On the way, they’re aiming to raise money for, and awareness of, Motor Neurone Disease.

Shock diagnosis

Kev says he was diagnosed with the debilitating condition in January, after experiencing pins and needles in his hands, which escalated to numbness and balance issues, as well as drop-foot, which made him fall over.

Initially, doctors thought the truck driver had pinched a nerve in his neck, but a muscle biopsy confirmed he had MND, prompting the couple’s decision to return to Perth, where Kev’s dad and sister live.

Staying positive

“I’m trying to be as positive as I can and live as much as I can,” Kev says.

“I have my down days, but I have a lot more positive days than down days.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing Kev and Leanne to be creative with the route they will take across the country.

Setting new goals

Original hopes to visit grandchildren in Cobram, on the Victoria-NSW border, were scuppered, but they are now looking forward to heading north, to the very tip of Australia at Cape York.

“I’ve not been right to the tip,” Kev says.

“I don’t care if I have to crawl there or be carried, that’s going to be my achievement,” he laughs.

“Once I’ve done that, I’ll pick another goal.”

Cunnamulla quarantine

The Grays want to be in Perth by Christmas and plan to quarantine in Cunnamulla before beginning their trek to Broome and heading down the coast to Perth.

They bought a 22-foot caravan with all the comforts of home and special grab-rails for Kev from JB Caravans at Burpengary and are looking forward to their amazing adventure.

“I’m going to stay as strong as I can and show people you can achieve what you want to achieve.

“Never give up, as we say in the MND world.”

Kev and Leanne have a goal of raising $10,000 over the course of their trek to help MND Queensland provide support and services to families impacted by MND.