The retired RTÉ reporter spoke candidly on the Late Late Show about his Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis.
Charlie Bird has said he does not think he will “see another Christmas” following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease.
Appearing on the Late Late Show alongside his wife Claire, the retired RTÉ reporter spoke about dealing with the diagnosis, stating that he will “probably” lose his voice in “three or four months time”.
“I’m fearful. I know we’re all going to die. I’ve been told it’s probably – they say one to three years,” he told Ryan Tubridy.
“I’ve lost so much weight in the last few weeks. I probably won’t have my voice in three or four months time.”
He also stated that every time he sits down for a meal, it is a struggle.
“I don’t know when this whole thing is going to cave in on me but I’ll be honest, if I were a betting person, I don’t think I’ll see another Christmas,” Bird said.
“I genuinely don’t. I hope I’m proved wrong but I don’t. That’s my feeling.”
The former reporter said that he is thankful he is still able to be physically active and that he goes on walks every day to prove he can still do so.
“I jokingly have told my mates I have one wish and it’s to climb Croagh Patrick,” he said.
“I really want to climb Croagh Patrick in a way to prove to myself that I can still do it.”
Bird stated that his family, his friends and the support of the Irish public have kept him going following the diagnosis.
“I’ve great friends. I’ve got a great family. I’ve a beautiful wife. I’ve five grandkids, two beautiful daughters and all my friends and everybody in this country who has contacted me has kept me going,” he told Tubridy.
"I know I'm in a fight, and I'm doing my best to deal with all these issues as strongly as I can"
We're all behind you 💚#LateLate | @RTELateLateShow pic.twitter.com/TyJ9tTyMOv
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) December 10, 2021
“I get uplifted by the feelings and the letters and texts and emails.”
He also said it would be his “final wish” that Ireland makes sure it cares for everybody who is ill.
“There are people watching this programme tonight who will probably go through the same thing as well and they have to be brave as well,” he explained.
“It’s difficult but I’m not the only one going through this.
“There are thousands of people waiting for hospitals, for operations, for everything. They’re all facing the same challenge in a way as me.
“All I ask is that as a country, as a people, we make sure that we look after everybody who is ill and sick.
“It would be my final wish that we do that as a country for everybody.”
You can watch a segment from the conversation below.
Clip via The Late Late Show
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