LIMERICK man Michael O’Neill is aiming to raise €11,500 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) with his upcoming charity cycle in County Clare on Saturday April 20.
Michael says the funds raised as part of the target are planned to go towards the purchase of revolutionary ‘Eyegaze’ equipment to help people living with motor neurone disease (MND) communicate more effectively.
The cycle is being organised by O’Neill Industrial, with offices in Cork and Limerick, in memory of Michael’s close friend John Mulcahy, of Mallow, County Cork, who lost his battle with MND in February this year.
“John was my dear friend for over 30 year. He was diagnosed with MND in October 2020. He was a pharmacist, so he knew what the road ahead entailed, but he fought a brave battle until the very end,” Michael explained.
One of the most difficult aspects of the journey for John, Michael said, was losing his voice.
“With already limited movement, communication was difficult, but one piece of amazing technology was a game changer for him. It’s called an Eyegaze device and it helped John communicate with carers, friends, and family by using his eyes to spell out words on a tablet via a connected camera.”
Eyegaze technology also helps users gain some independence back by allowing them to surf the web, send emails, and even control the television using just their eyes.
The charity cycle is aiming to raise €11,500 for the IMNDA to go towards the purchase of Eyegaze equipment for another person living with MND, and Michael is encouraging everyone to get involved.
“With help, we can give an MND patient the same comfort as John at a time of need that will make living with this disease a little more bearable for the patient and those caring for them,” he said.
The cycle features a marshalled 80km cycle route, starting from McMahons Bar in Ardnacrusha (V94 V326) and outbound to Mountshannon, County Clare, via Broadford, with the return leg via Killaloe.
Entry costs €45 and will include a cycling jersey (limited to first 60 registrations), food and drinks at the halfway point, and a BBQ at the finish. Further information on imnda.ie.
