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For someone recently diagnosed with a disease that leads to the emaciation of muscles and a constant degeneration of physical abilities, choosing to walk 550 km, from Donegal to Cork, is hardly the obvious choice.
Yet it is the response of Father Tony Coote, pastor of St. Therese at Mount Merrion and former UFC chaplain, at the news of April last that he is reached motor neuron disease (MND).
raise awareness of the considerable distress of people with the disease – long waiting lists, overworked doctors, unaffected drugs for 24 years and only three specialized nurses to cover the 400 people living with DND in Ireland. He also plans to raise € 250,000 for research and support
MND is a terminal illness, but Father Tony's response has been remarkably decisive and optimistic. After the initial shock, he decided to do something positive by saying, "I want to use the time left and my voice to do something positive, and I invite everyone to be part of Walk While You Can organize a fundraising event or offer accommodation for me and the team of six people who walk and who help me go far
"This time last year I was fit and healthy – I had no idea what was in store for me. None of us know when it might be our turn, so I'm determined to turn my experience into a positive force for future generations of people with MND, "he says.
And so, on Tuesday, he will start in Letterkenny, stopping at Ballybofey and Donegal en route to Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Cork, arriving at Ballydehob on Friday, August 6th.
Although the illness has already physically affected Father Tony, adding difficulties to his normal life He continues to work in his parish and to trust God.
"I'm not afraid of death," he says. Of course, I am afraid of losing my independence and, even though I struggle with it, I get up every morning and say, "Lord, thank you for today, help me out." you like it through the rest ". It's frustrating because everything is slower and takes longer. But I'm not sorry. I do not ask "why me."
"Things happen in life and I leave myself in the hands of God and Jesus Christ, whom I look forward to meeting anyway." [19659004] condition that attacks motor neurons, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. This means that the messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.
The cause of MND is not known, but there may be environmental factors that cause damage in predisposed people. For more details on Tony Coote's and Walk While You Can's meeting and support, visit: http://wwwc.ie
Sunday Independent
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