Irish Parkinson’s patient bravely demonstrates the significant impact of treatment

Brian Donnellan has been hailed for his appearance on an Irish TV talk show where he demonstrated the significant impact of deep brain stimulations on his condition

Irish Parkinson’s patient Brian Donnellan appeared on Claire Byrne Live in Ireland to bravely demonstrate the significant impact of the deep brain stimulation treatment he receives.

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While on the show, Donnellan volunteered to show the immediate effect of switching off his handheld deep brain stimulation device.

Donnellan said that he’d “probably be in a wheelchair” if it weren’t for the treatment.

The deep brain stimulation units that patients like Donnellan use are manufactured in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, but they are not available in Ireland.

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Fianna Fail's health spokesperson TD Stephen Donnelly hailed Donnellan and his demonstration on Claire Byrne Live as "brave:" 

TD Donnelly said: "Last week I met people with Parkinson's. They were protesting outside the Dáil to try and raise awareness - it was World Parkinson's Day.”

"They're dealing with an awful lot,” TD Donnelly said. “The supports they have available from the state are very little.”

"So what we want to see is the proper supports put in place, which should be done and I think could be done quite easily.”

"We only have five specialist nurse practitioners in the entire Republic, three of them based in Dublin."

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