Brave Longford man Joe Doran hosting Huntington’s 5km walk on Saturday

Joe Doran’s Huntington’s 5km Walk takes place this Saturday, July 13 in Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle (the walk starts at 10.45am).

Joe Doran is a well known Longford man who suffers from this neurodegenerative illness.

Huntington's disease (H.D.) is a cruel neurodegenerative hereditary illness passed from parent to children, who have a 50/50 chance of getting it. It is a master thief, robbing life skills bit by bit. Killing brain cells slowly, relentlessly taking cognitive ability, memory, making decisions, mobility, swallow, speech, involuntary movements and much more.

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Symptoms include problems with movement, thinking and cognition and difficulties with mood.

The disease typically progresses over a 10-25 year period.

The Irish Mental Health Service do not accept it as a M.H. problem, although the brain governs the whole process.

About 800 have registered with the Gene, but there are 5,000 impacted by it – family members, parents, siblings, children, friends, carers, colleagues etc. It can also be misdiagnosed as alcoholism, schizophrenia and similiar ailments.

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A lot of people afraid or ashamed of it, mainly because there is little known about it publicly.

In all of Ireland there is 1 Unit in Bloomfield Health Services, in Dublin with specialised staff who are amazing and only 21 beds, which are in great demand. Nursing homes for the elderly, as good as they are, really are not suitable. Most people start showing symptoms as young adults, but it has manifested in children.

“As the wife and mother of H.D. sufferers I couldn't fault the help and support we got from local services. There are a lot more out there that need our help. We need more designated units and specially trained staff. H.D. patients are amazingly brave and strong,” Pauline Doran, mother of Joe, stated.

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“Our main support and strength is the HDAI organisation, especially Patricia and Liz and all those behind them. A lot of people volunteer their time,” Pauline added.

A few decades ago, great American country singer Woody Guthrie lost his life to Huntingtons. In 1967 Woody died aged 55 yrs, followed later by his two daughters.

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His wife was a great advocate and supporter of the Huntington's Association in the USA and raised lots of funds.

“Please support us in whatever way you can. Every cent is appreciated and used wisely,” Pauline Doran stated.

People can donate at www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/JoeHDWalk24 

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