DO IT FOR DECLAN- HELP DECLAN AND FAMILY FINISH THEIR HOME

Declan (Denis) O'Halloran is a 39 year old, married father of two from Newcastle, Co. Tipperary who has received a devastating diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and progressive Neurological disorder and needs support to complete their home and ensure that it is specially adapted to meet his future medical needs.

Background

Declan moved to Australia in 2008 as many other young adults did where he met his wife Joanne Kenneally from Middleton, Co. Cork. They got married in 2017 and have 2 beautiful kids, Ava aged 5 and Levi aged 3.

Together, they always planned to return home to Ireland with their children to live in Declan’s home village of Newcastle in Co. Tipperary.

In 2021, shortly after the birth of their son Levi, Declan started to develop symptoms of what was initially thought to be MS. He became unsteady on his feet and his speech started to change and he was given a diagnosis of MS in Australia.

This was all happening in the midst of their plans to move back to Ireland. They had obtained planning permission to build their home and had saved over the years to prepare for the move home. Declan was working as a construction supervisor and Joanne was working as a nurse.

When they returned home in 2022 Declan was referred to a Neurologist in Ireland, where further investigations began to determine whether he had MS or something else.

Since returning from Australia, Declan and Joanne have tried to continue their plans of setting up home for their two children. Unable to get a Mortgage due to his diagnosis, Declan began a self-build project, using their savings and income from employment and in the hope that treatment would relieve his symptoms and things would get back to normal. However, during that time, Declan’s symptoms began to get worse which meant he could no longer work.

Now out of work Declan tried to continue working on their house while waiting for treatment for his MS to begin, however, on the 29th of May 2024, he was given the devastating diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurological disorder. It is caused by degeneration or atrophy (shrinking) of nerve cells in several (or multiple) areas of the brain. This can result in problems with multiple bodily functions and causes people to lose coordination and balance or become slow and stiff and also causes changes in speech and swallowing.

MSA is a rare disorder and affects about 4.5 people per 100,000 so that at any one time there are only approximately 3,300 people living with MSA in the UK and Ireland, meaning even many healthcare professionals are often unfamiliar with the condition.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure or specific treatment to modify disease progression for MSA and it comes with a short life expectancy of approximately 10 years from the onset of symptoms. This diagnosis has been devasting for Declan and all of his family.

Complications of MSA vary from person to person but for everyone with the disease, MSA symptoms get worse over time. The symptoms have made daily activities for Declan, harder as time goes on.

Currently Declan is managing some of the symptoms of MSA through making lifestyle and dietary adaptations, medications/ supplements for specific symptoms, physio and speech therapy but the illness has been progressive.

Declan and Joanne have tried to continue building their home through the financial support of family. However, with the increased cost of building, and with his health deteriorating and inability to get a mortgage due to his illness, it has become increasingly difficult for Declan to continue working on his home and the stress and strain of the project is taking it's toll on him and his family.

This has been devastating for Declan as he has poured his heart and soul into building this home for his family. The house is partially built but they now need help to complete their home with the additional need for the house to be adapted for his future management of symptoms. Time is of the essence as they are currently renting a home which is no longer suitable for Declan's needs.

We the friends and family of Declan & Joanne have come together to help them finish their home. We hope to raise sufficient funds to complete the house as soon as possible so Declan can enjoy life together with his young family in their home for as long as possible. The funds raised will go towards completing the house ensuring that it will meet his needs going forward and provide for the ongoing and future medical expenses that Declan has.

This is a young family, whose lives have been turned upside down and they now need our help.

So, let’s Do it for Declan and help Declan and Joanne finish their family home and help them get the support they need for the future.

(The House as it stands in September 2024)

All support no matter how big or small will be greatly appreciated and a committee has been established to manage the funds and oversee the project. If you can help in any way please don't hesitate to contact us or follow our Facebook/Instagram page at Do it for Declan.

To listen to Declan and Joanne speaking on Tipp FM please go to:

https://soundcloud.com/tippfmradio/tt-do-it-for-declan?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Thank you.

The Do it for Declan Fundraising Committee