Support Barb Byrne

Hi everyone,

My sister Steph and I are reaching out to our friends and family to ask for support for our beautiful mum, Barb. After a lengthy few years with ongoing health issues and endlessly searching for a diagnosis, in March 2023, we received the heart breaking news that Mum has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system. This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting. MND happens when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, called motor neurones, stop working properly and die prematurely.

There is currently no cure for this heartbreaking disease and as you can imagine it has taken a massive toll on our family, and of course our mum.

My sister and I are both currently pregnant with our first children, our mums first grand children. Knowing her time with us and them will be limited is incredibly difficult.

I’m reaching out and asking for support to make life just a little bit easier for our mum and her partner Steve. Mum is currently wheelchair bound, and has difficulty leaving the house. Steve has become Mums full time carer, while continuing to work full time from home to support them financially.

Although having a diagnosis means Mum is finally eligible for some government support, the costs they have spent on doctors, specialists, surgeries and assistance equipment can not be reimbursed.

Any assistance (no matter how small), in making our Mum’s diagnosis, just a little bit easier, would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you ❤️

A bit more about Barb Byrne (previously Oldenburg, née Kyle).

Barb is a kind and generous person. She is a deeply caring person and has always supported everyone around her. Up until her health issues, she was a registered nurse for nearly 40 years. She spent most of her nursing years at Sunnybank Private Hospital in the rehab unit. Barb has always loved her job and takes such pride in helping others.

Barb is married to Steve Byrne. She has two daughters Stephanie and Melanie. Both are currently pregnant with their first children, due in August 2023. Barb also has three step children Ryan, Alannah and Jack. Barb absolutely adores her family.

Barb has a deep love for animals. For the last 20 years she has adopted animals from the RSPCA. She currently has a dog Sandy and a cat Louie.

There is so much we could tell you about Barb, however, if you’ve clicked on this page, chances are you’ve had the pleasure to meet this wonderful person yourself.

Barb will continue to push on through this diagnosis. She is a fighter and will fight till the end. ❤️