Journalist Charlie Bird says he cries every day since his motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis, but he has been "blown away" by the support he has received since speaking publicly.
In October, the former RTÉ broadcaster revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease.
The 72-year-old was diagnosed after experiencing issues with his voice and speech.
On The Late Late Show last night, Charlie said he's "not great" but the most important thing is he's "alive and still here".
He said: “Every day is the same for me. I cry every day, because of what happened to me.
"But I have to say this: there are people watching this progamme tonight who will probably go through the same thing as well. But they have to be brave as well - but all of us have to be brave.”
He said he started to cry when he heard Ireland’s Call sung before the recent Ireland v All Blacks rugby match, as he feared “maybe it’s the last time I’m going to hear that”.
In a tweet on Saturday after his interview, he said he "cried tears of joy" following the overwhelming support he received after his TV appearance.
He said he plans to climb Croagh Patrick in the spring "if I am still mobile", to raise awareness of MND and other terminal illnesses.
Yes I cried this morning but they were tears of joy at the overwhelming support I received for my Late Late Show appearance.
If I am still mobile in the Spring I will climb Croagh Patrick to highlight MND and other terminal illnesses. Your all invited to join me.I love you all.— Charlie Bird (@charliebird49) December 11, 2021
During last night's interview, Charlie also said his feeling is he won't see another Christmas, but he hopes he's wrong.
However, he said he has the support of great friends and family - and everyone who has contacted him since his diagnosis has kept him going.
He said: “I get uplifted by the feelings and letters and texts and emails. It’s difficult, but I’m not the only one going through this.
“There are thousands of people waiting for hospitals, for operations, for everything. They’re all facing the same challenge, in a way, as me. All I ask is that as a country and as a people we make sure we look after everybody who is ill and sick.
“It would be my final wish that we do that as a country for everybody.”
For now, Charlie says he wants to spend as much time as possible with his friends and family.
He said: “I want to see my five grandchildren… grow up. I want my two daughters to be with me as long as possible.
“But I know I’m in a fight, and I’m doing my best to deal with all these issues as strongly as I can.”
