Vhi HealthClub

Survivor of Prostate Cancer

My Guest in studio today is Jim Scott, a member of Men Against Cancer and survivor of prostate Cancer. Jim gives us a personal account of his experience and why he advises all men to start talking and get check ups.

Listen here

(4 mins 42 sec)

Athlete Muriel Haire on living with Osteoporosis

Athlete Muriel Haire joins me in studio to share her personal story about living with Osteoporosis, which affects one in three Irish women, and tells us how she manages to keep up all her training despite this. Muriel was diagnosed with Osteoporosis, a disease which ultimately thins your bones, while training for the London Marathon and she talks about the injuries incurred as a result. We hear about the importance of getting a bone scan and how she has prevented any further depletion of her bones.

Listen here

(4 mins 21 sec)

Epidermolysis Bullosa's Personal Story

Epidermolysis Bullosa is a skin disease where the skin is so fragile it’s easily damaged and falls off when it is touched. Liz Scanlon tells me her heartbreaking story about her daughter Claudia who was born with EB three years ago and the support and great funding that Debra Ireland offer into researching this condition. Debra Ireland’s website can be found at www.debraireland.org

Listen to the episode by clicking here

(4 mins 59 sec)

Guide Dogs Helping Children with Autism

The Irish Guide Dogs association of Ireland have set up a new programme to help children with autism. We are joined in the studio today by Fiona Whooley who gives a first person account of the difference in her son Murray since the addition of their dog to the family. She explains how simple everyday visits to the shop are no longer a problem and the added safety a guide dog brings to a family with an autistic child. Melanie Cunningham of the Irish Guide Dog Association also joins us and explains how the programme started.

Listen to the episode by clicking here

(5 mins 16 sec)

Alzheimers Personal Story

RTE weather presenter, Nuala Carey, shares her personal tragedy with us of her Aunt's death as a result of Alzheimer's disease and why this sparked her to participate in 'Your A Star' and sing for charity to raise awareness of this disease. Nuala tells us of the great services The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland offer which can be extremely beneficial and her shock at the number of cases of Alzheimer's disease in this country every year.

Listen to the episode by clicking here

(3 mins 41 sec)

Dealing with death in hospital

The death of a loved one is never easy to cope with but the experience that faced writer Ann Dempsey while her husband passed away in hospital was more difficult than most. Ann tells her moving story of her husband Dave’s final hours and questions the manner in which he was treated. Ann has since lead a campaign to improve hospital practices when it comes to dealing with death as she says thousands of people die each year in hospital and they should have the right to die with dignity.

The Irish Hospice foundation programme to change hospital practices around death and dying – www.hospice-foundation.ie

Listen here.

(4 minutes 56 secs)

Cystinosis - One Mother's Personal Story

When he was just six months old, Ann Marie O Dowd noticed that her son Luke was losing weight and not feeding, soon after Luke was diagnosed with the rare genetic condition Cystinosis. Cystinosis causes a build up of amino acids in the body which cause a great deal of damage.  Since diagnosis, life for the family has changed, Luke needs medication every six hours, needs to avoid sunlight and needs to carry water with him everywhere. Luke's future is uncertain and it looks likely that he may need a kidney transplant. For the time being Luke's family have set up a charity with other families to raise funds and awareness for the rare disease. You can find out more at www.cystinosis.ie

Listen Here...

(3 minutes 55secs)

Life after a broken neck – One Man’s inspirational story

David Barrett suffered a severe spinal injury after falling from his horse. As a result he lost the use of his limbs, bowel and bladder. David tells presenter Aileen O Meara about his hard recovery work in the gym, becoming institutionalized, thoughts of suicide and his transition to humanitarian aid worker in Cambodia and Uganda. If you would like to donate to David’s charity for the Hospital wing in Uganda please use these bank details: AIB Bank, Upper Georges Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Sort Code: 93-34-06  Account Number: 77-05-41-48, St. Paul's Kisiizi Hospital Mission Account.

Listen here…

(4 minutes 06 secs)

Catherina McKiernan – Chi Running & Work Life Balance

Catherina McKiernan is one of Ireland's most successful athletes and since her retirement Catherina now balances running a business with family life. Catherina now teaches the concept of Chi running, a form of running technique that should make running fun, easy and injury free! Catherina talks to Vhi Health club about the balancing act of modern life and about her fitness regime after competitive athletics.

Listen Here…

(3 minutes 13 secs)

Quitting Smoking : 6 months later

As her new years resolution Majella Fitzpatrick gave up her 20 a day smoking habit. At the time Majella was quietly confident and planning a healthier lifestyle. Now six months later Majella has completed her planned half marathon and has been very successful with her resolution. Listen as Majella explains her weakness of the cigarette completing the holiday picture of sun, sea and sand.

Listen Here....

(3 minutes 32 secs)