‘My view on life has completely changed, live everyday as if it was your last and always extend the hand of friendship’
Charlie Bird
Former RTÉ correspondent Charlie Bird has revealed that “death is around the corner” but insisted he is not afraid of dying.
In an interview with Brendan O’Connor he Charlie he revealed how his philosophy on life has radically changed since he was first diagnosed with MND in 2021.
Looking back on his life, he spoke of his love for wife Claire, his career highlights and how he knows he doesn’t have long left to live.
Speaking using an automated voice computer, he said: “My view on life has completely changed, live everyday as if it was your last and always extend the hand of friendship no matter who they are.
“Every one of us will pass so I want to extend the hand of friendship to anyone who is in a dark place. I have learned always to be truthful when answering questions and to to speak always from the heart.
“I have a terminal illness and I know my death is just around the corner.”
When Brendan requested Charlie if he was afraid of dying, he replied: “I’m not afraid of dying I have had a great life as RTÉ chief news correspondent. I got to work on the biggest stories both home and abroad.
“I got to travel the world. I feel very privileged that my career in journalism took me to all these places. I always tell the same story, I failed every exam and never went to university but I succeeded in my career. I’m proud of that.
“I also have a wonderful family by my side since my diagnosis that helps me when I need support and to come to term with my illness, that it is terminal and there is nothing I can do to change that.
“So I am not afraid of dying.”
Charlie mentioned that whereas he was by no means very spiritual’ he felt that over the previous few years since his prognosis, he believes “there has been someone on my shoulder guiding me along”.
Charlie additionally spoke of how his spouse Claire has been an unimaginable help for him, saying she “looks after me around the clock, she is my wife first, also my full time carer. I would be lost without her.’
He now has additional carers as he struggles to “get from A to B without the help of two extra people”
“It’s depressing,” he added. “The honest truth is I live each day as if it could be my last.”
Despite by no means having gone to school, he says the actual fact his profession introduced him to each the North Pole and the South Pole meant “in a way I won the Lotto”.
