THIS IS ME

Maurice Corcoran Image Name: Maurice Corcoran Description: This is Me Copyright: © RTÉ Stills Library RTÉ. This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format for promotional purposes only. Any further use of this image must be re-negotiated separately with RTÉ. Use is subject to a fee to be agreed according to the current RTÉ Stills Library rate card.
Maurice Corcoran Image Name: Maurice Corcoran Description: This is Me Copyright: © RTÉ Stills Library RTÉ. This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format for promotional purposes only. Any further use of this image must be re-negotiated separately with RTÉ. Use is subject to a fee to be agreed according to the current RTÉ Stills Library rate card.
Maurice Corcoran Image Name: Maurice Corcoran Description: This is Me Copyright: © RTÉ Stills Library RTÉ. This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format for promotional purposes only. Any further use of this image must be re-negotiated separately with RTÉ. Use is subject to a fee to be agreed according to the current RTÉ Stills Library rate card.

Broadcast Details: Monday 29th June, 7.30pm

RTÉ FACTUAL: 57-year-old father of five Maurice Corcoran shares how much his life is disrupted by the sleeping disorder narcolepsy, cataplexy and hallucinations.

The five part observational television documentary series follows the lives of five exceptional Irish people. Each week the viewer is invited to spend time with ‘me’, one of a group of people who have allowed cameras to access their lives and to see how they live each day. The central character is given the space and time to share their thoughts, experiences and reflections on their life.

Episode Three – No Laughing Matter

Sleep is a condition of the body and mind, an essential part of life. For most it is a sacred release from the tensions of the day. But for 57-year-old father of five, Maurice Corcoran, sleep is a nightmare. This is Me – No Laughing Matter will profile Maurice who was diagnosed with the sleep disorder narcolepsy four years ago.

A very proud man Maurice has no choice but to learn to live with his condition. The condition seriously undermines the quality of his life and means he is unable to drive, plan, or make commitments for his day. Previously an active man, it has had a profound affect on family life. ‘It just isn’t sleeping sickness. To me it takes away your personality.’ Maurice can fight the sleep as much he wants, but it will always win in the end. He will be on medication for the rest of his life. “I have to re-arrange my whole day, sometimes I feel time has lost all meaning”.

Together with the narcolepsy Maurice also has cataplexy and hallucinations. Cataplexy is a sudden and temporary loss of muscle tone often triggered by strong emotions as simple as laughter. “I used to love watching the funnies, giving a good hearty laugh, now I can’t laugh properly”. During a cataplexy attack his hands start to shake and then the shaking spreads to the rest of his body and he will fall over. Maurice will remain fully conscious during one of these attacks. Maurice refers to his hallucinations as livable nightmares.

In the last four years Maurice and his family have tried to explain his condition to friends but only those closest to him understand what it means. “Others just think that I sleep all the time. That’s the easy part, but I want people to try and understand my hallucinations and cataplexy”