Fundraiser for Mayo musician with rare medical condition

A fundraiser has been established for a talented Mayo musician who has been diagnosed with a rare condition.

Gifted singer and harpist Brenda Grealis will be familiar to many across the west of Ireland. Her considerable talents have graced the weddings of many couples across the region.

Brenda been diagnosed with PERM Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) which is an extremely rare, severe neurological disease that causes extreme muscle rigidity, painful spasms, and progressive loss of mobility. Because PERM is so rare, treatment options are limited and difficult. Stiff Person Syndrome became widely known when singer Celine Dion publicly shared her own diagnosis.

A GoFundMe page has been established by friends of Brenda to help provide the support she will require.

“Brenda is a gifted singer and harpist who devoted her life to bringing comfort and joy through her music. Tragically, this illness has taken away her ability to sing and play, ending her career and source of income, along with one of the great loves of her life. Her condition has progressed rapidly, requiring time in intensive care and prolonged hospitalisation. Despite multiple treatments, she has not responded and now faces complex, lifelong medical needs including a motorised wheelchair, ongoing specialist care, rehabilitation, and home modifications so she can eventually return home to her family,” states the fundraising page.

The appeal has been made to help ease the strain on Brenda’s loved ones.

“Brenda is a wife and mother of four, and this diagnosis has placed immense emotional and financial strain on her entire family as they navigate long-term care, major life adjustments and the sudden loss of income all the while ensuring Brenda is surrounded by love, dignity and stability. This fundraiser is to help ease that burden and support Brenda and her family through what lies ahead.”