Daughter's illness sees footballer launch awareness campaign

Former Ireland international footballer Ronnie Whelan today pledged his support to fighting a debilitating disease that struck his own daughter.

The soccer star is patron of the Myasthenia Gravis Association which today launched a campaign to raise awareness of the severe muscle weakening disease.

Ronnie said his family had been referred to a series of doctors before his eldest daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed with the condition in 2005 and was able to receive the necessary treatment.

“Our family experience of MG (Myasthenia Gravis) is similar to most,” he said during the launch of the campaign in Dublin today.

“We went through a period of being referred from one medical discipline to another before Elizabeth was diagnosed with the condition.

“Luckily for us, we had access to a specialist consultant in England and her treatment was undertaken soon after the diagnosis.”

The disease is known to affect about 450 people in Ireland, but it is estimated that more than twice that number are left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

MG is an auto-immune disease in which the nerve signals are attacked and damaged.

The breakdown between nerves and muscles can lead to a loss in effectiveness in the legs, arms and eyes, with symptoms varying from drooping eyes to slurred speech and muscle collapse.

Ronnie Whelan said swift diagnosis would help sufferers.

He announced plans by the charity to stage a national poster and information leaflet campaign, plus a series of public meetings and discussions with key healthcare professionals.

“The Myasthenia Gravis Association – with limited resources and capacity – is doing excellent work in Ireland to offer support to patients and their families,” said the sports star.

“This awareness campaign, which is also linked-in with political demands around services and funding, will hopefully enhance the range of services and supports available in Ireland.”

Karen Clancy, National Co-ordinator of the Myasthenia Gravis Association, said: “Because there is a low-level of awareness of MG in Ireland, we find that people presenting with symptoms are often misdiagnosed with conditions such as ME.

“Sometimes it can take months – or even years – before it is medically established that they suffer from MG.

“The purpose of this campaign is to grow general public awareness, as well as health sector awareness, of the condition, so that diagnosis is faster and more accurate.

“Early diagnosis of MG means that patients can access comprehensive treatment at an early stage to prevent further debilitation.”

At today’s launch the MG Association called for the implementation of a range of measures to improve diagnosis, treatment and support for patients, including:

:: The appointment of a specialist MG Neurologist and supporting nurse post.

:: The inclusion of MG as one of the listed conditions under the Long-term Illness Scheme.

:: Support for a sustained education and awareness campaign on MG.