14-07-2025
Hero award for Leitrim man (92) who was given five years to live 48 years ago after MND diagnosis
Andy McGovern is one of the longest living survivors of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) as he has been living with MND for almost 50 years.
When he was diagnosed in 1977, he was given a life expectancy of just two to five years.
Remarkably and in spite of his diagnosis, Andy has worked tirelessly to put the MND community first.
He has written several books and has always put himself forward to raise awareness of MND and the work of Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association.
Andy received his MND Hero Award from Taoiseach Michéal Martin at the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association's Global MND Awareness Day event.
MND is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord.
This means messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.
MND can affect how patients walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe.
However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order.
The cause of MND is not known.
MND strikes people of all ages and currently there is no cure, however symptoms can be managed to help the person achieve the best possible quality of life.
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Andy was born on February 10, 1933 at Corroneary, Aughavas, Co. Leitrim.
His early years were spent helping on the family farm and in 1954, he immigrated to London.
He got married in 1961 and the couple returned to Ireland. He founded a machinery contracting business and was the father of six children.
However, in 1976, Andy remarked that his little finger on his right arm was not moving.
'The circulation and sensation was perfect so I thought there was no need to worry; there were nine more left.
'After some time, another finger became affected and the bicep muscle on my right arm started to sag.
'So I went to my GP, who referred me to St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin at which point I was diagnosed in 1977,' said Andy.
Andy said the first years with the disease were the worst and he found himself trying to hide his disability as the symptoms developed.
He said the symptoms quickly began affecting his ability to complete every day tasks.
'My clumsiness. My embarrassment. Everything is falling to the ground.
'My piece of meat is going for my ear instead of my mouth.
'My coordination is all askew.
'It was torture, a lot worse than pain.
'My wife and children came to my rescue many times, and nobody outside the family knew what I was going through,' said Andy.
At that time, there was no association in Ireland for MND while there was also no treatment or cure.
However, since his diagnosis, he has seen major changes to how the disease is cared for.
'There was no treatment or cure.
'You were told life expectancy was two to five years.
'It was tough.
'Today, there is no medical treatment for MND but we have a wonderful organisation, The Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association, that provides us with care, technology, equipment or anything that may help us ease the burden of living with this terminal illness.
'Things have improved greatly in the last number of years with our Association becoming more involved and highlighting awareness of this terrible disease.
'People like Charlie Bird, Fr Tony Cook, the ice bucket water campaign and many more high-profile people getting involved in fundraising and awareness,' said Andy.
Andy has been heavily involved in campaigning and raising awareness of the disease.
He climbed Croagh Patrick Mountain on two occasions without a stick or balancing equipment in 1997 and 1998.
He also wrote two books with voice recognition software - 'They Laughed at This Man's Funeral' which is described as his father's biology and later 'Against the Odds - Living with Motor Neuron Disease.'
Andy said he does not campaign for credit, thanks, or personal recognition but rather to raise awareness in the hope of getting help for everyone who is diagnosed with the disease.
However, Andy, who is 92, said he knows a breakthrough will not come in time to save him.
'We are very fortunate to have a person of the calibre of Dr Orla Hardyman and her team, working tirelessly to find something that might arrest this galloping disease.
'She is adamant that one day there will be a breakthrough.
'I know that it will not come in time to save me, but that does not worry me.
'If a cure or something is discovered, then I will smile from the heavens above knowing that I have contributed something to this breakthrough and that the people who are then diagnosed will benefit.
'It is very important that we continue to raise awareness and funds to help our colleagues living with this death sentence,' said Andy.
Humbly, Andy said he felt very emotional receiving the Hero Award from the chairman of IMNDA, Howard Hughes.
'He spoke all too well about me and my long fight of almost 50 years living with this disease.
'I am grateful for the recognition given to me by the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and I am also grateful to our Taoiseach, Michael Martin, for presenting the award,' said Andy.
