Former RTE journalist Charlie Bird has shared how new technology will help him communicate when his voice is gone.
The veteran broadcaster was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year and has spent the last few months "struggling" with his voice.
In his latest update on Sunday, the former Washington Correspondent said his voice "is almost gone".
However, thanks to some "cutting edge" software, he will still be able to communicate with people through voice cloning technology.
Bird shared how he also wants people with similar voice issues to be able to access such electronic aids.
Posting a video on Twitter, he said: "Months of struggling with my voice it’s now almost gone.
"I am in the fortunate position, thanks to Keith Davey from Marino Software, using cutting edge technology, I will have a cloned voice soon.
"I want people with similar voice issues to get the same opportunity as me."
In the video, where he appears alongside his beloved pet dog Tiger, Bird explains: "My voice is getting worse and worse every day, I don't think Tiger can understand me now."
He then played a clip of what his cloned voice will sound like when it becomes available in a few days.
Using the high-end technology, Bird says: "Hi, I'm Charlie Bird. Last October, I was diagnosed with the terminal illness Motor Neurone Disease.
"A few weeks later in an interview with Ryan on the Late Late Show, he asked what my bucket list is and I said I wanted to climb Croagh Patrick with some of my best pals.
"Within minutes, social media went mad offering to support me and that's how climbwithcharlie.ie was born.
"In this very difficult chapter of my life, I want people to reach out the hand of friendship to one another.
"Every day across this country, people are battling their own mountains with physical and mental issues.
"So on Saturday, April 2 I will climb Croagh Patrick in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House, two charities close to my heart.
"Aside from raising essential funds, I want this campaign to encourage people across Ireland to climb a mountain in their own local area to raise funds and also to recognise the physical and mental mountains many people have to climb every single day.
"All money raised will be divided between the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House, so please climb, climb, climb and reach out the hand of friendship.
"Thanks, and stay safe."
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter
