- Greg Blewett was on a Masters cricket tour in 2014
- Received a devastating call from his mother
Former Aussie cricket star Greg Blewett has for the first time recalled the harrowing phone call he received from his mother Shirley that changed their lives forever.
Blewett, 53, was away at the time on a Cricketers Association Masters tour in 2014.
‘I could tell something was wrong straight away,’ he said.
‘She said, “Honey, I’ve got MND”, and she just broke down. I’ll never forget that phone call. I obviously came home straight away.’
Shockingly, within 12 months of her shock motor neurone disease diagnosis, Shirley Blewett was dead. She was only 69.
Adding to the sadness was the fact Blewett – who played 46 Tests for Australia – never getting to say a final goodbye to his beloved mum.
Former Aussie cricket star Greg Blewett (pictured with wife Katheryn) has recalled the harrowing phone call he received from his mother Shirley
In 2014, Shirley Blewett (pictured with Greg) was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which killed her within a year
Blewett (pictured celebrating his double century against South Africa in 1997) made his Test debut in 1995 and quickly became a fan favourite
He raced to the hospital after receiving a call from his father – only to miss Shirley taking her last breath by a few minutes.
Before her death, a brave Shirley refused to use voluntary assisted dying to end her suffering.
While admiring her courage, it meant the Blewetts had to watch the family matriarch slowly deteriorate each day.
‘We, like any family living with MND, we really struggled with it,’ Blewett told News Corp.
‘Seeing what Mum went through was brutal and absolutely heartbreaking.
‘It’s just hopeless, the slow deterioration and at times fast deterioration, it’s just horrible.’
Motor Neurone Disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that strips its victims of their independence, dignity and eventually, their voice.
With no known cure, 2752 Australians are currently living with MND – and that figure is tipped to rise to over 4300 by 2050.
Following his own MND prognosis, footy legend Neale Daniher has inspired countless fellow Aussies, raising more than $115million for drug and clinical trials.
It is understood MND costs the Australian health system $27million a year.
