Dance While You Can – Valentine’s Ball

“Hi, my name is Marilyn O’Connor and I live in Cavan.  I am an author of a number of books and film scripts and I also wrote and directed two award-winning short films.  I am a mother of 4 children and a grandmother of 2 beautiful children.  I loved gardening, adored cooking and playing my guitar, wearing makeup, doing my hair, dressing up, wearing heels, and generally enjoyed living independently and freely.

On the 24th of August 2022, I was given the devastating news that I have motor neurone disease.  This has affected me in a number of ways but particularly with the loss of both my hands and arms.   When I came out of the hospital on the day I received my diagnosis I had a meltdown and that evening I just wanted to end it all.  I was full sure in my head I was not going to face this next chapter.

Somehow I have overcome all these negative thoughts and emotions and I am now embracing my journey ahead and finding ways of coping as best I can. One of the positive things that has happened since my diagnosis is I have learned to accept love.

My mission and my reason for sharing my story is to raise awareness of MND in women. I want to raise the profile of the wonderful work of the IMNDA and I am planning a fundraising event after Christmas ‘Dance While You Can’.  The funds will go towards MND for purchasing equipment, increasing more specialist nurses and also finding a cure through research. I am hoping people will lend their support to help raising funds for this worthy cause and I will be setting up the links where people can send their donations through to MND directly.”

For more on Marilyn’s event, please see the poster below and if you would like to purchase a ticket for this Valentine’s event, please click here. 

If you would like to hear Marilyn’s story in full, please follow this link.