Daughter of showband star who lost battle to MND praises Charlie Bird for speaking out about condition

The heartbroken daughter of a former showband star who lost his battle to Motor Neurone Disease in 2019 has advised Charlie Bird and his family to “enjoy every day” after the RTE star was diagnosed with the condition.

Yvonne Tobin’s father, Jim (74), was diagnosed with the devastating disease just a year before he passed away from the neurological disorder.

Yvonne has opened up about the heartache of watching her father die from the condition and praised RTE news reporter Charlie Bird for his bravery in speaking out following a harrowing interview on last week's late late show. She said:

"My advice would be to take it day by day. Enjoy everyday with them, some days are so tough but be so thankful you have them. Accept help when it’s offered, reach out when you need it. I cared for Daddy and it’s hard, so take and seek help.

"The Irish Motor Neurone Association was invaluable to us, and the palliative care team in Kells. Our public health Nurse Susan Kenny, and all the team in the Dunshaughlin health centre. I genuinely would have been lost without them.

"Recently we’re beginning to hear more and more about prominent sports people and household names like Charlie Bird, Roy Taylor, Doddie Weir, Rob Burrows, to name just a few being diagnosed.

"Strong healthy people often struck down in the prime of their life. It really saddens me but they have been hugely important in raising awareness and have helped so much."

‘Gentleman Jim’ as he often referred to had a glittering showbiz career in the golden showband era of the late ‘60s and ‘70s. He started his career with The Firehouse in 1969, after joining a local band called The Craftsmen. He spent the next 12 years with them at the top of the country and Irish field of music. Later, Jim Tobin and The Firehouse became a household name after reaching number one with their first record, a Jim Reeves song, ‘This is it’.

In the past Yvonne has been Involved with fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease Ireland and believes more research needs to be carried out to help patients and their families. Speaking about coming to terms with her father's death she said:

“I know no disease is easy to witness or cope with but MND really is one of the most horrific relentless diseases to witness take hold of someone you love. Nothing could have ever prepared us for the road that lay ahead. Everyday day can hold a new challenge and you feel so helpless. It’s just heartbreaking.

"Losing his voice was probably the hardest part, although he hadn’t lost his speech, the first thing he lost was his ability to sing. This was particularly hard knowing we would never hear him sing again, his voice was so deep it always filled the house, so in that respect the silence was quite literally deafening.

"Losing him was probably the toughest thing I had to deal with in my life. He was such a gentle soul, a wonderful kind, funny and loving man. From the day he was diagnosed he never became a victim of MND, as with everything that went wrong in life. Instead of saying “why me” when anything when wrong, Daddy would say “why not me”.

It has been a challenging few years for the Tobin family with Jim’s wife of 45 years, Caroline passing away suddenly at 62 in 2015, and Yvonne’s husband also tragically passing away last year at the untimely age of 47, leaving behind their two children.

"To witness what he endured over those final months of life was so traumatic and will be etched in our minds and hearts forever, but to cope I often think, I would give the world to have him back, but not with MND, so I know he’s at peace with Mammy and I wouldn’t have him back for a second to continue to suffer as he did."

Devoted dad Jim told his daughter to keep living life after he had gone.

"There was only one thing Daddy ever asked me to do through his whole illness, and that was to promise him I’d live every single day of my life! I asked him to come back to me and he laughed saying he wouldn’t in case I had a heart attack but he would send me lots of signs, he’s never failed to send them.

"I suppose the only way I cope, is knowing Daddy won his battle with MND, and is now MND free. Actually another MND warrior, Andy McGovern, sent me a beautiful message when Daddy passed away which I thought summed it up perfectly. It read:

“He fought a brave battle against this cruel disease MND. It can take no more of him. Today he is united with his loving wife Caroline , Jim Reeves and all his musical friends. He can tell the man to turn the jukebox way down low…and he can tell MND – it will have to go. Go well, Gentle Man Jim. You are a star among the stars.”

For more information see www.IMNDA.ie