A NEW CAMPAIGN is being launched today by Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Ireland to help raise awareness about the disease.

The hard-hitting radio adverts focus on Paul and Jan who were both diagnosed with the disease in recent years.

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 muscles, which leads to weakness and wasting.

The disease can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe.

Paul is 43 years old and since his diagnosis in February 2011 he has been living with the debilitating effects of MND.

“From once being able to lift two kegs at a time, Paul can no longer lift the kettle. Dressing himself is now impossible and he has recently started to have difficulties with his speech and eating. He can no longer work,” said MND Ireland.

“I wish I still had use of my hand so I could dress myself,” says Paul.

Jan was diagnosed last year. She is 42-years-old and since making her advert for MND Ireland her condition has worsened with her speech becoming slurred meaning she now has difficulty speaking.

Since her diagnosis she soon lost the ability to walk and she is now in a wheelchair.

The awareness campaign urges people to help the cause to fight MND by organising Drink Tea for MND events throughout the month of June.

To register your event, please email fundraising@imnda.ie or Freefone 1800 403 403. To make a donation – You can Text MND to 50300 and donate €2.

Opinion: ‘Being stuck in a wheelchair without hands or speech is such a challenge as a mother’>

Read: Fundraising begins for “extraordinary” director’s first feature film>