Gareth has done us all a service

BROADCASTER Gareth O’callaghan has spoken with searing honesty about his struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

For years the 57-year-old put his symptoms of shakiness and rigid muscles down to everyday stress and anxiety.

Gareth admits he was in disbelief when his doctor diagnosed him with the condition.

But the shocking diagnosis finally gave him a clear explanation for the changes in his body.

Incidents of the disease are on the rise in Ireland but how prepared are we to deal with it?

Around 8,000 people already carry the disease here.

And experts say that number is set to double over the next 20 years.

This slow-burner is not given as much attention as illnesses with more immediate symptoms.

The disease has received a higher profile over the past few years after stars such as Michael J Fox, Muhammad Ali and Johnny Cash were diagnosed.

But Ireland needs a plan to deal with the long-term ramifications of this condition.

People are living longer and so this disease will become more common.

We need more people like Gareth to bring the spotlight on this debilitating disease.