But Ms Bell has not looked back since her diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

She has worked tirelessly to raise funds for research and spread awareness about the debilitating condition. 

That fighting spirit saw her named Lifeline’s 2016 Steel Magnolia on Friday night, in front of a sold-out gala event at Newcastle City Hall. 

Motor neurone disease is the name given to a group of diseases where the nerve cells that control the muscles enabling people to move, speak, breathe and swallow, start to degenerate and die. 

While the disease is terminal, the mind and senses of sufferers usually remain intact.

Despite intensive research, there is still no effective treatment for the disease and the cause of more than 90 per cent of cases remains unknown. 

Ms Bell, from Jewels, was 32 and had never heard of MND when she was diagnosed.

“So much so that I was looking to have another a child and I said are you able to have a child with MND?” she said. 

“They literally said you'll be lucky to be alive in nine months, let alone have a child. 

“It was horrendous. It was the hardest moment ever.” 

Ms Bell is now confined to a wheelchair for the majority of her day but classes herself as lucky that in her case, the disease has been slow-progressing. 

She can still walk short distances, even though the disease is showing in all four limbs and her left hand is paralysed. She says she saves her energy so she can help to look after her young daughters at home, Mia, 5, and Lucy, 4. 

MND is rare in people under 40 and Ms Bell has found it difficult to track down other sufferers at the same age and stage of life. 

“When I was diagnosed, I really wanted to find a family that had young children,” she said. 

“For us, we were thinking about how we were going to manage the years ahead. 

“To be totally honest, I probably never found a family until a year in. Now I know quite a few young people who have been diagnosed, all around Australia basically. 

“It’s so great to have their support. That was part of the reason I really want to tell my story.” 

The most frustrating thing about MND, Ms Bell said, was that so little public funding was devoted to finding either a cause or a cure. 

“You get diagnosed and they say we have nothing we can give you. You can take some pills and you may get an extra three months of life expectancy,” she said.   

“Sadly people diagnosed generally don’t stick around for long, so it just doesn't get the funding for research.

“I’m a school teacher so I know the effect that education can have. If we’re going to get funding for public trials, then awareness is the key.” 

Since her diagnosis Ms Bell has dedicated herself to organising gala nights and supporting fundraising events throughout the Hunter.

She brought hundreds of people to the “Walk to d’Feet Motor Neurone Disease”, held at Speers Point in April.  

Ms Bell’s husband Matt nominated her for the award and she said his steadfast support had played a “huge role” in how she had coped. 

“He owns his own business and between running his own business and taking care of things at home, it’s taken a huge toll,” she said. 

“He’s been amazing. I could not do what I do without him.” 

She worries about the long-term impact on her daughters but said she was proud of the way they had come to understand her illness. 

“When we go somewhere they automatically look around, saying how are you going to get up those stairs?

“Just to take on that caring role being so young, I’m so proud of them.” 

A support team – “Team Jodie” – of over 20 people cheered as she was presented the award by Lifeline Hunter Central Coast CEO Gillian Summers on Friday.  

There was a strong field of 14 nominees and special mentions went to Teigan Power and Cory Newman. 

Ms Summers described Ms Bell as an “unsung community hero” who despite adversity, had found the courage to give back to the community.

“The spirit Jodie shows embodies a Steel Magnolia,” Ms Summers said.