Silence speaks volumes for charity’s annual campaign

IMAGINE you were told that your body would gradually stop working. Then imagine you were told you would also lose your voice?

That’s the situation facing the 370 people in Ireland who are living with Motor Neurone Disease. 

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) is now calling on people to take part in its Sponsored Silence campaign to experience what it would be like to be unable to communicate, while also raising much-needed funds for the charity. 

During the month of February the IMNDA is urging local people to particppate in #Voice4MND.  

“All we ask is that you stay silent for a minimum of 30 minutes so you can experience what it would be like to lose your voice,” a spokesperson for IMNDA said.  

“Imagine one hour, imagine one day, imagine one week without your voice.

“We want you to give up your voice so you can experience what it is like for someone with MND.

“All you have to do is to pick a day and duration for your silence. 

“Then maybe think if you had no voice for a day how would you communicate – by app, by pen and paper?”

Those interested in taking part are asked to set up an online fundraising page and get sponsor cards from the IMNDA office by emailing fundraising@imnda.ie or you can text MND to 50300 to donate €2 (100 per cent of text goes to IMNDA across most network providers. Some providers apply VAT which means a minimum of €1.63 will go to IMNDA. 

Sharon Friel (42), who lives in Donabate, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2012, and is among those supporting the campaign.  Sadly Sharon can no longer walk or speak. She communicates to her son Senan (8) mainly with the use of a communication aid.

“MND affects not just me, but all my family. 

“Losing my voice has been the cruellest symptom of MND. “Losing my voice has been the hardest loss from MND,” said Sharon. 

The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, which was set up in 1985, provides specialised services for people affected by this debilitating disease such as equipment on loan, financial assistance towards home help, advice and home visits by a Motor Neurone Disease nurse. 

In order to provide these vital services the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association depends heavily on the generosity of the public and supporters of the association who generate over 85 per cent of its income.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord. 

This means messages gradually stop reaching muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.