Over €23,000 raised for Mayo musician living with rare condition

A County Mayo family is appealing for public support after local mother and musician Brenda Grealis was diagnosed with PERM Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a severe and life-altering neurological disease that causes extreme muscle rigidity, painful spasms and progressive loss of mobility.

PERM — Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus — is considered even rarer and more aggressive than the form of Stiff Person Syndrome, publicly shared by singer Céline Dion. In Brenda’s case, treatment options are limited, and the condition is expected to require lifelong management and care.

The diagnosis has had a devastating impact on the Grealis family. Brenda, a mum of four, has lost her ability to sing and play the harp — skills that previously formed her main source of income. Her condition means she will require ongoing rehabilitation, a motorised wheelchair, and significant adaptations to her home in order to maintain independence and quality of life.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched to help ease the emotional and financial strain placed on the family following the diagnosis. The campaign aims to cover medical needs, mobility equipment, home modifications and long-term care costs that are not fully supported through existing services.

“Brenda’s world has changed overnight,” a family spokesperson said. “The fundraiser is helping the family focus on her care and recovery while navigating an incredibly challenging diagnosis.”

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Friends and supporters say the response so far has been encouraging, with members of the local and wider community coming together, with donations steadily climbing past the €20,000 mark in a matter of weeks and messages of support.

PERM is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, often progressing rapidly and causing severe muscle stiffness, spasms and impaired mobility. Due to its rarity, diagnosis and treatment pathways can be complex and costly.

Those wishing to support Brenda and her family can find more information and donate through the GoFundMe campaign here: