TV presenter Charlie Bird has sadly revealed he can no longer dress himself as his health deteriorates due to motor neurone disease.
The RTE broadcaster, 73, was diagnosed with MND in 2021, and has been giving his loyal followers on Twitter regular updates regarding his health.
In a heartbreaking post on Monday, Charlie shared the sad news he could no longer get dressed by himself, and had to rely on his wife Claire for help.
“My MND has taken a turn for the worst. I can no longer dress myself without help from Claire,” he tweeted.
“But I am still mobile and I have a number of projects to help Samaritans,” Charlie added, as he vowed to keep fighting the disease so he could help more people.
“As long as I have a breath in my body I am going to continue to extend the hand of friendship to help people,” he wrote.
His fans shared kind words with the Irish journalist, and wished him well as he continued to bravely battle MND.
“Sending you huge love and strength Charlie and of course to Claire too,” one commented.
“You’re an inspirational team…keep on keeping on,” another added, while one told him: “Keep going Charlie, Ireland’s hero…”
Back in June, Charlie said he had reached a “crossroads” with his health, and wanted to be honest with “everyone supporting me”.
“My health is deteriorating and so is my movement. I think I am at a crossroads. But I want to continue to extend the hand of friendship. And I am going to continue to raise awareness for groups that need support,” he tweeted.
Earlier this year, he suffered two falls in the space of a few weeks, but had luckily managed to escape with no broken bones, and was treated by “heroic” staff at St Michael's Hospital in Dublin.
“I had another bad fall yesterday, but frontline medical people looked after me so well in Michaels hospital this morning . No broken bones. and I want to extend the hand of friendship to all our great medical workers who look after all of us so well every day,” he posted in May.
Since being diagnosed with MND, Charlie has suffered with muscle stiffness, affecting his movement, and it has also caused him to lose his voice.
Motor Neurone Disease: For further information and support on MND, visit mndassociation.org
