‘Fit and healthy’ dad, 35, is suddenly given six months to live after catching ‘brutal disease with no cure’

A fit and healthy father-of-two has been given just six months to live after developing a cruel incurable disease.

Ronald ‘Hobbo’ Hobden, 35, was a week out from running a marathon when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with bulbar onset (MND-BALS) in June.

Gold Coast local is now considering the grim reality that he will have to leave behind his wife Anna-Louise and their two children, Lizzie, three, and Henry, one.

Hobden had experienced symptoms of the condition in the months leading up to his diagnosis.

His speech has been slurred, with the father forced to rely on a voice amplifier to speak in noisy environments or crowds.

Ronald ‘Hobbo’ Hobden (pictured second from left with his family) was a week out from running a marathon when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with bulbar onset

His body is deteriorating, with loss of strength, movement and balance. He also now struggles to support his children.

Bulbar-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects motor neurons within the bulbar region of the brainstem resulting in difficulty breathing, speaking, swallowing, and movement.

It is the most aggressive form of motor neurone disease and has a lifespan of 6 months to 3 years.

Mr Hobden is expected to eventually lose the function of his limbs before becoming completely paralysed.

He will then need to be fed through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube which will require full-time care.

The disease will not affect the father’s other senses, meaning he will be aware of what is happening as his body deteriorates.

His heartbroken wife has described how her husband’s condition has turned his life and that of his family upside down.

“It’s the hardest thing to watch,” she said 7 News.

“We are now looking at every possible angle to extend his life as long as possible.”

“We’re trying to be as hands-on and prepared as possible for our kids.”

The disease has resulted in Mr Hobden’s speech and body deteriorating. He is expected to eventually lose the function of his limbs before becoming completely paralyzed (pictured, Mr Hobden with his wife, Anna-Louise)

Mrs Hobden has heartbrokenly described her husband’s condition as “the hardest thing to watch” as friends and family try to prolong his life as long as possible.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by family friend Leah Hill to help the Hobdens.

“Making memories for Lizzie and Henry as a family together, including traveling while they can and while Hobbo is able,” she wrote.

The other goal was to provide the beloved father with ‘access to the best health care’ and help cover his exorbitant medical expenses.

Ms Hill referred to an experimental drug being tested in Japan, recommended by Mr Hobden’s specialist at the Brain Mind Centre.

The family want to go to Japan for at least three weeks to check whether Mr Hobden is fit to start treatment.

The experimental drug will set them back about $5,000 a month and the family is looking to restore a six-month supply for Mr Hobden.

For Anna-Louise, she is losing the love of her life and her devoted life partner. She adores Hobbo,” said Mrs Hill.

They basically grew up together, sharing 16.5 years of love, happiness and adventure. The thought of one of them without the other seems unimaginable to all of us.

The GoFundMe page has already raised more than $200,000.

It can be found here.