Mary’s inspiring life honoured by walk

SHARON Maguire is determined that memories of her late mother will never fade. Mary Maguire, who lived in Clarefield, west of Kilkee, died in the early hours of December 14, 2011. She had Motor Neurone Disease (MND), which was diagnosed in May 2006, having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2003.

 

SHARON Maguire is determined that memories of her late mother will never fade. Mary Maguire, who lived in Clarefield, west of Kilkee, died in the early hours of December 14, 2011. She had Motor Neurone Disease (MND), which was diagnosed in May 2006, having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2003.

Mary, who was originally from North Kerry, lost her fight for life 16 months ago but a 13km walk, from Kilkee to Kilrush, on April 21 will be held in her memory. All proceeds will be donated to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).

“It broke our hearts the day our wonderful mam passed away. Six long years she battled and fought the illness. At just 50, she still had so much to live for and do,” Sharon reflected, adding that Mary didn’t accept she had MS when diagnosed 10 years ago.

“Her research began and she eventually persuaded doctors to test her for MND. She was diagnosed with the disease in May 2006. A year later, she was confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak,” Sharon said, noting that her mother remained remarkably upbeat.

“Sure she had her bad days when eveything got on top of her but she always managed to pick herself up again. She had a programme installed on her laptop, which enabled her to do everything you could possibly do on a computer by pushing a button using her head. She was more of a whizz than ourselves,” Sharon laughed.

“She’d spend her days sending text mesages, skyping her sisters in America and Kerry and browsing the web for cures and miracles. She was so physically and emotionally sick but still managed to have such drive inside her. She was so intelligent there was nothing she could not answer. Her love for her garden and home did not go away when she got sick. She made sure they were kept up and somehow still does,” Sharon noted.
In Ireland, one person dies every five days from MND, which is an incurable neurological condition. It is the name given to a relatively rare group of disorders, the most common of which is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It is a progressive neuro-degenerative disease that affects nerves and muscle.

Ten percent of sufferers have the inherited form and can pass the condition onto their children. There is currently no cure. MND destroys the nerves responsible for voluntary movements. Normally, these nerves act as the messenger, translating and relaying our wish to move, from the brain to the particular muscles required. In MND, these nerves progressively die so the muscles no longer receive these messages, resulting in paralysis and loss of voluntary movement.

Eventually, nearly all muscles become paralysed and so the sufferer is unable to move. It may also affect the muscles required to talk and swallow and patients may end up unable to communicate or eat a normal diet.

The muscles for breathing are also frequently affected and patients often require a machine to help them breathe. Mental abilities are not usually affected and therefore patients generally remain aware of their deteriorating physical condition. Death normally occurs in three to five years from the onset of symptoms, most commonly as a result of the breathing difficulties.

The Maguire family are indebted to Mary’s carers, who looked after her when she was struck down.

“The biggest part of our life when our mam was sick was her wonderful carers. They gave her life when she had none. Bringing her shopping or somewhere she’d want to go – they were there for her until the very end. The IMNDA provided her with equipment that made life easier for her and they were there for her throughout the last few years when she needed them,” Sharon recalled.

“I simply cannot put into words how much each and every one of us miss her. We will never know why she was chosen but we will make sure her memory does not die and that is why we will hold the Mary Maguire Walk,” Sharon explained.

The IMNDA is dedicated to providing care for people with MND, their carers and families, as well as supporting research into the disease.

“The IMNDA is a small organisation that receives minimum funding from the government. There is a huge dependency on fundraising to enable them to continue providing the vital services to the MND community; such as financial assistance towards home help, specialised equipment on loan and home visiting by our MND nurse specialist,” Sharon pointed out.

“The most significant benefit that can be hoped for from funds received is to allow sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease to live as active citizens within their community and remain in their home with their families for as long as possible,” she added.

The walk will leave the square in Kilkee at 2pm and will conclude in Kilrush. Participants can register on the day of the walk, on www.runireland.com or by contacting Sharon Maguire on 085 1372187 or sharonmaguire777@yahoo.com.