Help Karen Daly get the Care she Deserves

Help Karen Get the Care She Deserves

Our beloved Karen, a vibrant 50-year-old, has been diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare life limiting and devastating neurological progressive condition. PSP has affected Karen’s ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe.

Karen is not only a cherished member of our family but also an inspiration to many who know her. For the last 20 years, she has been the full-time carer for her 30-year-old son, who lives with an acquired brain injury. Karen dedicated her life to his care, providing love, support, and constant attention to ensure his needs were met as well as her other 2 children. Karen was always on the road driving to and fro to all of the sports the kids were involved in. Now, as her health has rapidly declined, Karen needs the same level of care and dedication from those around her.

Karen’s Journey

Over the past five years, Karen began experiencing symptoms that resembled Parkinson’s disease. In 2023, after initially being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, her condition was reclassified as PSP, reflecting its relentless progression. She was the youngest person in Ireland at the age of 48. PSP affects 300 people through out Ireland a year.

Karen also battles severe sleep apnea, which further complicates her care needs.

Despite her condition, Karen remains a fighter and has her sense of humor. Her greatest wish is to stay at home, surrounded by the love of her family, and enjoy simple joys like visits to the beach. But this dream is becoming harder to sustain without additional help.

Karen’s Current Needs

Karen is now completely dependent on her specialist equipment and requires full assistance for eating, drinking, and all daily living tasks.

Her condition has progressed to the point where:

Her voice is fading: Communicating her needs is becoming nearly impossible.

Choking and aspiration risks are constant: PSP makes swallowing dangerous, with a high risk of food or liquid entering her lungs.

She relies on critical equipment: A BiPAP machine assists her breathing and requires monitoring, particularly at night.

A Family’s Commitment

Karen’s family has been providing 24-hour care to support her, but the demands have become overwhelming. Nights, in particular, are incredibly challenging, as Karen requires constant vigilance to ensure her safety and comfort.

We are fortunate to have an incredible HSE multidisciplinary team who liaise with her GP's and home help. But there is still a significant gap in nighttime care which involves a family member staying in her room all night. Without additional support, it will become increasingly difficult to keep Karen at home, where she feels happiest and most secure.

How Your Support Will Help

Your generosity will make it possible for Karen to:

Receive professional night care, giving her family the ability to rest and recharge. Assist with household cores so that they can spend quality time with Karen.

Continue living at home, surrounded by love and familiarity for as long a medically safe to do so.

Why This Matters

Karen’s life has always been about caring for others. Now, it’s our turn to give her the care she deserves. Her greatest wish is simple: to remain at home, surrounded by the love of her family and the small comforts that make life meaningful for as long as safely and medically possible.

Your support will help us honor Karen’s wishes to stay at home and live with dignity, joy, and the love of her family.

Every Little Bit Helps

Whether it’s a small donation or sharing Karen’s story, you’re helping us ensure she can stay in her home and remain connected to the family and community that mean so much to her. Please like, share and tag on any of your media pages.

Thank you for being part of Karen’s journey and for helping us provide her with the care and comfort she needs.