As reported in the Irish press this week Joe McCaul sought medical advice last November having felt occasional numbness in his feet and tingling in his hands. Following a series of tests he was told by a panel of doctors in Dublin that he had multiple sclerosis.
Speaking of how the diagnosis came to light Joe says; “I was initially diagnosed with Transverse Mylitis, which is an inflammation of the spinal cord. But then there were more tests in St James (Dublin Hospital) before I was sent home in December. When I was at home I got a call from my neurologist’s secretary to come back up to St James’ and I was a bit suspicious, because I had already got an appointment for next May. I got into the room and there were three doctors there and my doctor started talking in a general way about MS. I asked straight out ‘have I got MS’ and they said yes”
At only 25 years old Joe was initially devastated at the news but he has since started to come to terms with it and has vowed to battle on. His career hasn’t been put on hold and he will next be seen in a local musical production of Grease. He has formed a new band and is also intent on running his first marathon in Dublin next October. “I can either lie down under it or get up and go. When people say to me, but you’ve got MS, I say, MS hasn’t got me. I love to party and I’m living for now. I’m not thinking about what next year has to offer,” he said.
Love? was the song that Donna & Joe performed at the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev having been selected on the RTE Television talent show You’re A Star. They didn’t advance to the final but the song was a hit at home in Ireland.
To see Donna & Joe perform Love? click the link below
Going under the stage name Joseph Daniel, Joe has shared a cover version of One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful on his youtube page for fans, a clip of which can be watched below.
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