Partner of Limerick man fundraising to get 'lovely Brian' to Germany for dementia treatment - Ireland News Beep

WITH a smile that carries through the phone lines, I hear a man tell me about the love of his life and how he is doing all he can to give that man a better quality of life.

Malcolm Griffin lives in Dingle with his partner Brian O’Connell, who is originally from Corbally.

Brian was diagnosed with dementia about 15 years ago in Limerick and has lived with the disease ever since, while his partner Malcolm has tried every avenue possible to improve his daily life.

On June 20, Malcolm will take on a mammoth cycle – going from Dingle to Limerick – spanning almost 150km.

This is to raise funds for Brian to go to Germany for ground breaking stem cell and laser treatment.

Malcolm explained that this is one of the “leading therapies in treating neurological disorders and this multi module approach is now achieving significant results.”

The cycle will take Malcolm on a challenging route from Dingle to Tralee, Listowel, Duagh and then onto Limerick. He will then go through Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West, Adare and onto Limerick.

“I’m from Kerry and Brian is from Limerick, so this is a nod to that – to bring the two places together.”

Malcolm is a full-time carer for Brian and at 52, still regularly trains in martial arts, but said that this will be challenging.

“It will be astronomical, especially given my situation, I’m a full-time carer and I will be relying on my reserves all the time.”

Brian is 78 and Malcolm said that it is heartbreaking to see dementia take hold.

“He was young when he was diagnosed and biologically he’s still very healthy, he has unbelievable genes. He would leave me for dust on the mountains, he was an avid mountain climber and walker.”

Speaking of disease progression, Malcolm said that everything changes very quickly.

“It’s totally heartbreaking. Before you know it, you go from soulmate to carer and you see the dementia take the spirit out of them. Brian was super joyous and so funny.”

There is a fundraising target of €33,000 and people can donate online here.

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Partner of Limerick man fundraising to get ‘lovely Brian’ to Germany for dementia treatment

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