Karuna of the ready smile

Meet Karuna, an inspiration with a ready smile showing us that #nothingisordinary.

Despite the rapid progression of motor neurone disease, Karuna’s grace, humour, and positivity shine through. Supported by his loving children, Dee and Kriv, Karuna continues to embrace life with the help of remarkable technology like his iPad, which allows him to stay connected and engaged.

During June’s MND Action Month, Karuna and his family hosted a Cuppa Tea for MND event, raising nearly $1,000 and spreading awareness of MND’s challenges.

Read more about Karuna’s incredible journey, below.

Karuna of the ready smile.

Karuna is an absolute inspiration and should be commended on his happy and positive demeanour despite all his challenges; and Dee, is so her Fathers Daughter and should be equally commended.

Karuna was diagnosed on 15^th February 2024 and his condition has rendered him very dependent, very quickly; his condition has unfortunately progressed quite harshly leaving him reliant on caring Health Professionals and his children Dee & Kriv for his care, safety and wellbeing.

The gradual inability of being able to answer or use a phone, to text and to reach out to friends and family; to press buttons on remotes, chair controls or even pull a fallen blanket back over ones legs would have made most people extremely angry, cross and frustrated; and rightfully so.  But Karuna has compromised and adjusted with grace, humility and humour.

Last time I visited Karuna, his hospital bed now having had to be moved into the lounge (but facing the front door so visitors enter to a smile) following the provision of his iPad & stand, he was excited to ‘show it off’; to show what he could now do. His smile that of a Cheshire Cat!

He was excited to be able to watch game shows, to listen to the Beatles on You Tube, to get onto Whats App and connect with folk, to read the news, to explore, to read, to listen and not even with a blink of the eye, but rather a gaze.

Karuna spends much time alone.  The iPad has given him interest, the ability to explore and ease of communication if and when he chooses; something else to think about.

Karuna is preparing, in good spirit, for the next step.  His voice has softened and he has already ‘voice banked’.  The provision of this piece of remarkable technology has opened his world. It is allowing him to keep his mind active whilst his body is unable to be so; to be in virtual contact with people whilst it is physically challenging for him to be otherwise.

Karuna taught at a local school for many years.  When they, Karuna, Dee and Kriv, decided to host a Sunday afternoon Cuppa Tea for MND fundraiser, several past pupils, colleagues, friends, neighbours and family members attended. It was held on a sunny Sunday afternoon and went a long way in raising awareness of the challenges of motor neurone disease.  Many of said ex-pupils and colleagues were not aware of Karunas condition.  It was of course discussed and almost $1000 raised for Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand. Dee said ‘Was a really wonderful moment to share with all these people’. (Dee also volunteered to do a Bunnings sausage sizzle shift) She also said ‘It was good being part of these efforts’.

The photographs of the Cuppa Tea for MND beautifully portray the positive spirit embraced at their event… and that of Karuna of the ready smile.