Former radio presenter Gareth O’Callaghan has been recently diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare neurodegenerative disease that attacks and destroys the body’s central nervous system. This rare disease targets three very important areas of your brain and central nervous system and over a period of time, it begins to progress more rapidly. It targets your movement in the same way Parkinson’s would, but it also targets the autoimmune system which looks after your breathing, your swallow, you perspiration, blood pressure, bladder, digestive system and over a period of time it impairs them to a point that they no longer work and basically you become immobile.

On Thursday afternoon he gave an interview with Daithi O Se and Maura Derrane on the RTE show ‘Today’. What struck me through the interview was his incredible sense of honesty, openness and positivity. So instead of crumbling into hopelessness and giving up, he has embraced life with the attitude of making the most of today, as it is the only day that matters.

The following words from Gareth are food for thought today: “We go through life wondering what’s out there for us. It’s not what’s out there for us, it’s what’s here now. Stop trying to be like other people. Stop trying to aspire to what other people are. Just remind yourself every time you think of where you are in this particular day, of who you are and what you mean to other people. Don’t stress about the small stuff, it’s not worth it. Be most mindful of what you are capable of doing. Most important the people you love, tell them regularly and as often as you can that you love them.”


Thought For The Week is updated each Monday