Charlie Bird’s health ‘changed completely’ as he shares update on his condition
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Charlie Bird has shared an update on his current health situation, telling his followers on social media that it has “changed completely”.
The retired broadcaster and journalist was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021 and one year later raised over €3.5m for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and mental-health organisation Pieta during his Climb with Charlie campaign.
Over the weekend, Bird, 74, thanked his neighbours and carers for their support as he shared an update on his condition.
“My health has changed completely. I now have to be hoisted in and out of bed,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“I want to thank my neighbours and carers for all they are doing for me.”
He added that he joined the relatives of those killed in the Stardust fire in Dublin in 1981, which claimed the lives of 48 young people, to mark the tragedy’s 43rd anniversary.
Bird was one of the first journalists to arrive at the scene on the night and has been a long-time supporter of the relatives’ campaign for justice.
Since his MND diagnosis, Bird has lost his voice and now communicates with a pen and notebook and a bespoke app created by Marino software.
Before Christmas, he confirmed he was “ wheelchair-dependent and tube fed”.