Thursday, 19 February 2026

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (10:09): My members statement is a bit different today. I thought I would do a bit of a book report. I have been reading The Power of Choice by Neale Daniher, and I had the privilege of meeting him at Parliament. I know, with Emma Vulin, he has done incredible work raising awareness of MND, and this book is just full of so many worthy quotes. But I will just read you a little bit of his story. It says:

This book was born from a cruel twist of fate. I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2013 and MND has gradually taken away my ability to speak, to eat, to move freely. I rely on 24/7 care. To many, I must look like a man with no choices left. But let me tell you something: I still have a choice. Every day, I choose how I show up. I choose my attitude. And that, right there, is the heart of this book.

As I said, there are so many worthy quotes. This is another one:

If you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, it follows that to be the best version of yourself your inner circle must be comprised of giving, trustworthy, community-minded people. They can help you live not just for yourself, but for something greater than yourself. They sharpen your thinking, test your values and help you discover who you really are.

Here is another one. He says:

And perhaps most profoundly, taking responsibility adds meaning to your life. You’re no longer just reacting to events. You’re choosing your response. Even in struggle, there’s a sense of purpose because you know you’re in the driver’s seat.

I say to Neale: thank you for writing this book. It is a legacy not just for your grandchildren, but for all of us.