‘There Are Two Good Things’: Jai Arrow’s Candid Confession About Living With MND Leaves Everyone Speechless

A Remarkably Honest Conversation After Saying ‘I Do’

Just hours after marrying longtime partner Berina Colakovic, former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Jai Arrow delivered one of the most unexpected reflections yet on life with motor neurone disease (MND).

Appearing alongside his new wife on The Montoyas Podcast, the 31-year-old mixed humour with heartbreaking honesty as he spoke about living with the terminal illness he was diagnosed with earlier this year.

While acknowledging the devastating realities of MND, Arrow stunned the podcast hosts by revealing there are “two good things” he has discovered since his diagnosis.

The first confession left the room in complete disbelief before everyone erupted into laughter, with Arrow joking that he was talking about his own experience rather than his wife’s.

Moments later, he revealed the second unexpected effect of the disease—uncontrollable laughter.

The Symptom That Arrives at the Worst Possible Moments

Arrow explained he experiences pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a neurological condition associated with MND that can trigger sudden, involuntary bursts of laughter or crying completely out of context.

“It happens at the worst times,” he admitted.

His wife recalled one particularly emotional couples counselling session shortly after his terminal diagnosis, where she was overcome with tears while Arrow unexpectedly began laughing uncontrollably.

“I was crying my eyes out,” Berina said. “Then out of nowhere, he just started laughing.”

Arrow explained he had no control over the reaction, describing it as one of the most awkward parts of living with the disease.

The same thing has happened during serious Rabbitohs team meetings, forcing him to leave the room because he simply cannot stop laughing.

Even veteran coach Wayne Bennett, he revealed, has found himself laughing along despite the difficult circumstances.

Planning for a Future They Know Will Be Different

Beyond the jokes, the conversation turned to one of the couple’s most emotional decisions.

Berina revealed they will freeze one of her embryos in the hope that their daughter Ayla can one day have a biological sibling.

She said they are not ready to have another child now, knowing the responsibility would largely fall on her as Jai’s condition progresses.

Arrow agreed, admitting the hardest part was accepting that he would not be able to help raise another baby the way he wants to.

“If you want to, I’m happy,” he told his wife.

“But you have to understand I won’t be capable of helping as much.”

The exchange highlighted the painful reality the newlyweds now face as they try to preserve choices for the future despite an uncertain road ahead.

Finding Laughter in the Middle of Heartbreak

Berina also revealed Arrow’s uncontrollable laughter recently struck again during South Sydney’s clash against Penrith.

As captain Cody Walker endured a frustrating night, Jai laughed almost continuously throughout the match—not because he found the game amusing, but because his condition made it impossible to stop.

She later messaged Walker’s partner to explain what had happened, worried the laughter could easily be misunderstood.

It was another reminder of how MND continues to affect everyday moments in ways few people realise.

A Love Story Still Filled With Joy

Despite everything they have endured, the couple’s trademark humour remains intact.

When asked which song best represents their relationship, Arrow and Berina shared playful banter before settling on Shania Twain’s You’re Still the One.

The light-hearted exchange offered a glimpse into the resilience that has carried them through one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.

Determined to Leave a Lasting Legacy

Arrow also revealed he hopes to establish an MND Foundation in the future, working alongside neurologists and Australia’s major winter football codes to raise awareness of the disease.

His vision is to bring the NRL, AFL and rugby union together for an annual MND round, helping shine a spotlight on a condition he believes too few people truly understand.

While MND has changed every aspect of his life, Arrow made it clear he wants his story to create something meaningful for others.

Even as he confronts one of sport’s cruellest diagnoses, he remains determined to leave a legacy that extends far beyond the football field.