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A FINE GAEL TD has vowed to continue serving her constituents after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease.
Nicky McFadden, a TD for Longford-Westmeath, today revealed she had been diagnosed with the condition late last week, after months of medical testing.
“About eight months ago, I noticed having to slow down my speech in order to avoid slurring my words,” McFadden said in a statement today, saying she had been formally diagnosed last Thursday by Prof Orla Hardiman of Beaumont Hospital.
“When I became symptomatic, I initially thought it was something to do with my vocal cords. But each medical test proved negative and it was a very frustrating time. The possibility of Motor Neurone Disease only emerged in the last fortnight.
While 75 per cent of people with Motor Neurone Disease first present with muscle weakness in the arms and legs, the onset of my condition is subtle, and has only affected my speech so far.I feel absolutely fine, and I completed a ten mile walk for the ICA just three weeks ago.
McFadden said that the slowing of her speech was the only symptom at present, and she was determined to “maintain my workload as energetically as I have up until now”.
“My offices in Mullingar and Athlone have never been busier, and, as far as I’m concerned, it is business as usual representing the people of Longford and Westmeath in Dáil Eireann.”
Taoiseach Enda Kenny expressed his admiration at McFadden’s stance, saying he had “no doubt that Nicky will continue her work with her customary conviction and energy”.
McFadden, 49, was first elected as a councillor in 1999 and entered the Oireachtas as a senator on the Administrative Panel in 2007. She was elected a TD in February 2011.
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Brave woman. Anyone that chooses to fight on like this is a hero in my book.
She should spend some of that “working” time sitting beside Health Minister James Reilly in the Dail, just to remind him how difficult it can be as a patient trying to battle a disease.
All that said, best of luck to her, at least one TD in Fine Gael is a fighter.
Agreed, she is a much better fighter than no-balls Enda.
Using this article to take a snipe at the health minister and all other FG TDs.
Shame.
@David Higgins
As I was reading your reply all I could remember was Enda Kenny and his “people went mad borrowing” comment which was promply backed up by “other FG TD’s”
He completely misses the point on the most basic facts, his colleagues are just as bad, so tell me again why my suggestion is so shameful?
Because its on an article about a TD with a very serious disease.
Seriously man, take your grievances to another article!
Awww David, people being mean to you again :D You haven’t put up a comment of support on the thread, but you are off bitching like a schoolboy about other peoples comments. Grow UP.
Good on ye Nicky
Respect to Ms McFadden continuing on like this. She is a role model for what our publicly paid representatives should be doing. While i totally abhorred FF in Government, i also applauded the late Brian Lenihan for his commitment to public service while battling cancer.
Good for her, probably the best thing to do, keep busy, keep on top of it for as long as she can. Watching my own sister with MS for the past 13 years makes my worries and problems tiny. She’s best to stay as positive as possible and keep any negativity from others and the disease out.
Best of luck.
Best of luck to her.
Best wishes to her and her family. This is a tough time for her.
Hate hearing of people getting this terrible disease. I’m heartened to hear that she intends to continue with her duties as s TD, fair play to you Nicky!
Fair play to her , I wish her well.
Time and a place Mick
Different strokes for different Folks, I wish her all the best. Devestating News for her and her Family.
Meant to say also. Fair play to her.
Commendable courage. An example to all.
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