Julie Kelly

Hi, I’m Julie Kelly from Carlow and I’m 62 years old. In June 2025, I was given the destroying news that I have Motor Neurone Disease (MND), after many scans, tests and physio sessions.

I was a competitive Ballroom Dancer, and I was in a big competition when I noticed my ankle got weak and I went over on it. After that, it kept reoccurring, I thought, am I going mad in the head? I just couldn’t understand why, even though it was an old injury coming back to haunt me.

After many physio sessions, it wasn't improving so the physiotherapist told me, I think you need to have an MRI to find out what’s going on.  After that, I was tripping over my toes, and I had got a drop foot as well. I went from a stick to a walking frame and now I’m in a wheelchair.

So, my whole life had come to a stop. My hobbies were all hit in the head, dancing, horses, motorbikes, and I sang and played drums in our family band.  So, my life changed big time in a wink of an eye.  So, I said to myself, Julie you either cry or fight. So, fighting I’ve been doing and so I get out and act myself. I will not let it define me, I’m stronger than it and I will fight on.”