€100k raised for O Shea family after ‘devastating’ MND diagnosis

O Shea family pictured above – Kieran went from being an involved, loving father to being indifferent to his three children Luke (11), Haydn (10) and Caoimhe (8).

Friends of O Shea Family is organising the fundraiser

A GoFundMe fundraising campaign has been started by family and friends to help the O Shea family from Lisnagry, Co. Limerick.

Colette O Shea is a full time carer for her husband Kieran O Shea who has Motor Neuron Disease and frontal lobe dementia and also cares for her 11-year-old son Luke who has advanced Crohn’s Disease, which he was diagnosed with at 6 years old and struggles with significant health complications.

Earlier this year he received a diagnosis of motorneurone disease and frontotemporal dementia. It’s a devastating life-limiting disease, and when coupled with dementia it causes deterioration in a person’s behaviour, personality and memory.

Kieran was told he had the life-limiting disease that would cause deterioration in his “behaviour, personality and memory.”

The family has encountered significant financial distress due to Kieran’s illness, and the family home needs to be adapted to suit Kieran’s deteriorating health. The roof needs replacing, the drains need major work and, in all, bringing the house up to a condition that will make it suitable for Kieran’s deteriorating health and his family’s needs will cost around €300,000.

Colette also cares for her son Luke who was diagnosed with advanced Crohn’s Disease in 2016. His treatment and care mean regular, long journeys by bus from Limerick to Dublin.

Colette said, “Everything revolves around them and my other two children. Life can be very hectic, but I love my family deeply. We all work together, and the other children help as well. We are a good team”.

Although Kieran was only diagnosed in January 2022, the behaviour had changed over the last 5 years, he became withdrawn and went from being an involved, loving father to being indifferent to his three children Luke (11), Haydn (10) and Caoimhe (8).

All the responsibilities of the family have fallen on Colette but in her own words she feels she is just doing what anyone would do. Kieran’s life expectancy is one to two years and because of Kieran’s condition he became increasingly unable to do basic jobs around the house as a result it has fallen into major disrepair. We have wonderful volunteers able to help in our community, but the family do need financial help to make the house a safe home for this super family.

In November, the 47-year-old mother-of-three was named the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year at a national award ceremony. The awards recognise and shine a light on the love, sacrifice and commitment of the more than 500,000 family carers across the country who provide crucial care at home to loved ones with additional needs. Colette is a powerhouse, and these awards are to give recognition to carers who often go unseen and under-appreciated.

Recently Colette was also nominated for Limerick Person of the Year and said, “The support from people has been so amazing. We are so grateful.”

With the family’s agreement, a fundraising page has been set up to help Kieran and his family with the significant construction costs involved.

So far, the GoFundMe page has raised over €100,000 and counting. Please donate what you can.

Donate to the O Shea family

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