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Latest News
Listen to Aoife’s story. She can’t get treatment due to her age. For every day that goes by without access to treatment, she experiences deterioration and a loss of muscle function.
MDI member and vice-chairperson Patrick, spoke to Virgin Media News about the Cost of Disability yesterday, what he believes are the key issues and solutions needed from policy makers, ahead of the governments Cost of Disability Summit which took place today.
I am Simon Hogan, from Waterford. I was a firefighter and had to give it up due to my diagnosis. In the spring of 2009, I was required to get the hepatitis vaccine for work. I started getting ill a couple of months after the vaccine started, getting sinus problems I never had before. In December of 2009, I started getting chest pains, indigestion, and heart tests were carried out, but I got no answers.
Receiving a new diagnosis can be an overwhelming time for individuals and families. To support members during this early stage, MDI has launched a dedicated New Diagnosis Support Line.
This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an evening at one of Dublin’s top theatres, as part of a fund created to honour our dear friend and colleague, Jimmy. His love of getting out, experiencing life, and never letting his disability keep him waiting in the wings continues to inspire us.
We are pleased to share newly published research from the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), highlighting significant gaps in neurology services ten years after the publication of the National Model of Care for Neurology Services.
The Hubert Assistive Technology support service offers individualised support to members with a neuromuscular condition by providing them with valuable information, support, and advocacy on how to secure smart technologies that can assist members to improve challenges faced in their everyday lives. Our aim is to create a supportive environment where individuals with a neuromuscular condition can thrive and achieve their full potential. People with disabilities face a variety of challenges, be it at home, in education, employment, healthcare, social isolation, independent living, and funding, we want to assist members in getting assistive technology to help them with these areas. We will contact you to follow up.
We’re pleased to announce that the Ollie Hickey Fund is now open for applications and will remain open until 31st May 2026. The Ollie Hickey Fund is an important part of MDI’s commitment to supporting members living with neuromuscular conditions to access opportunities that promote independence, participation, and inclusion.
On 23 April 2026, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion for Itvisma, a gene therapy for people aged 2 years and older living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
On this month's mind, we pause to remember Adrian and to honour the extraordinary life he gave in service to others. His vision helped bring MDI into being, and his influence has touched the lives of countless families across Ireland in the decades since.
The mother of a ten-year-old boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is appealing to the HSE to fast-track access to a potentially life-altering drug, saying "one of the hardest parts" of the disease has been watching her only child lose his ability to walk.
MDI hosted an online FSHD Community Gathering in October 2025, bringing together people living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and their families for a half day of learning, discussion and connection. This event brought together a rich mix of perspectives, combining clinical insight, advocacy, and lived experience within the FSHD community.
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Our vision
MDI envisages an Ireland that enables people with neuromuscular conditions to fully participate in society and reach their full potential.
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Our mission
Using a member-centred approach, we provide information and support to people with neuromuscular conditions and their families through a range of support services. Advocating for services and entitlements for members; Educating and informing society about neuromuscular conditions and supporting researchers and clinicians to carry ourt quality research into neuromuscular conditions.
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Our values
1. Respect and empathy
We seek to build relationships based on respect and empathy.
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Our values
2. Transparency and integrity
We carry out all our work to the highest standards, underpinned by honesty, accountability and consistency.
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Our values
3. Equality and fairness
We are committed to equality and fairness and to ensuring the right to equal access to services based on the needs of the individual.
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Our values
4. Inclusiveness
We strive to be inclusive, valuing and respectful of diversity.
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Our values
5. Personal empowerment
We believe personal empowerment is about being able to make choices and having a voice.
Our Services
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Youth Service
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Equipment Loans
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Counselling and Bereavement
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Adult Peer Connection
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Family Support Services
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Transport Service
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Home From Home
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Advocacy
Our Impact
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Ollie's Walk for MDI
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AIPF – Irish Powerchair Football Team
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Dr John Roche Education Bursary
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2024