A Co Armagh mum of eight has opened up on the challenges facing her husband and family after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at just 38.
Ciara Conway from Crossmaglen said her husband Hugh's diagnosis came as a bolt from the blue, with their entire family active in sport.
"It was just total shock, there was no family history of anything like that, so just a total shock," she said.
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"He's a young man and he never smoked, never drank, it's almost unbelievable."
They have started a fundraising page as it is unclear just how quickly Hugh's health might deteriorate and his work has already had to be curtailed.
Ciara said the news impacted their whole family in different ways, with their children, five boys and three girls, aged from six to 20.
"At the start my eldest girl, I don't know if it was just how she reacted to things, but she actually took on a bit of a tremor in her arm," Ciara said.
"I think it was just down to stress and knowing there was something wrong with daddy, now thankfully it's gone.
"But it's just trying to help the children understand that there's something wrong with daddy, but that we kind of have to get on with it as well because there's not a lot we can do."
Ciara has been left with little time to dwell on the matter, with a large and very active family.
"I suppose you put on a brave face, but it is dreadful," she said.
"It does take a toll on me, you're trying to manage the children too, they're all active and play football and camogie, so you're never off the road, but you have to think of Hughie as well.
"There's just a lot going on and we just want to say we're so grateful to anyone who has donated, it really is appreciated.
"I don't think he can continue working for too much longer and then that's that wage gone from the household."
Ciara said Hugh had suffered a few falls at work in recent weeks and also suffered an injury due to his reactions on his right hand side slowing down.
"Hugh himself would be very quiet and just try and get on with it, as he doesn't like people fussing," she added.
"I was shocked when he agreed with me to go ahead with the fundraising page because I think it's got to the stage now where he realises things are going to get worse.
"He's not sleeping right at night, he's getting aches and pains all down that right side, in his elbow, his knee, his ankle so he knows himself.
"I know eventually when it does get to the stage where it gets worse, we'll probably end up having to go to America for treatment, because there's very little that they can do over here.
"So the money will be of great benefit, especially when you have a young family."
She said the people around them have stepped up and are keen to help the family, which had been a great source of comfort.
"We're in a good community here and everyone is jumping onboard and doing what they can to help us," she said.
"There's a few of us down in Crossmaglen here and I'm part of the rowing club so there's 10 of us that are going to do a rowing marathon (42km) on October 22 to try and raise a bit of money.
"There's about 35 grandchildren on my husband's side so he's going to try and get a wee relay going to get them involved on the day as well."
If you would like to donate to the family's fundraising efforts, you can do so here.
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