Martina 'Monty' Moore

Drum familys bid to meet spandau ballet

The family of a Drum woman with intellectual disabilities are desperately trying to set up a meet and greet with Spandau Ballet at tomorrow (Tuesday) evening’s concert in the 3 Arena.
Martina ‘Monty’ Moore is a huge fan of the 80s band and her family say meeting them really would be a dream come true. Martina will attend the concert tomorrow evening with her mother Mary and sister Nicola, while dad Willie will act as chauffeur for the day. As yet, even the concert is a surprise for Martina and Mary told the Westmeath Independent that if they told her she was going to the concert she would simply want to be there now.
“There’s another band on first and we won’t be able to tell her until they (Spandau Ballet) actually come on stage,” said Mary.
Martina’s twin sister, Olivia, who has lived in Australia for the past ten years, has launched a social media campaign in a bid to make her sister’s dream come true.
She explained: “I have travelled all over the world but I have never felt alone, because I did not come into this world alone, I came into it followed by my twin sister Martina. My twin sadly was deprived of oxygen when we were born resulting in brain damage and intellectual disabilities.”
Olivia explained that Martina was affectionately nicknamed Monty as when they were children they would always try to cheer her on to do things by saying “C’mon Tina” and with two younger sisters - Nicola and Patricia - saying it, Monty stuck.
Martina’s family were told by doctors that she would never walk or talk and her life expectancy was low.
But Olivia explains: “The doctors obviously didn’t know about the power of a mother’s love and the power ballads of the 80s! Our mother’s love and determination never wavered in trying every way to help Monty communicate. She found Monty responded most to songs on the radio, so a record and video player was bought, both her and mum were the first glued to the tv to watch MT USA and Top of the Pops every Thursday! Then Monty fell in love with five men at once - Spandau Ballet!”
“Monty would play on her devices, that turned more modern over the years, all the hits of Spandau. She learnt to walk by standing on our dad’s toes and swaying back and forth to ‘True’,” added Olivia.
Mary added that Martina has autism and communication can be difficult.
“She talks through music. She’s able to tell you what she wants but if she wants to tell you how she’s feeling it’s through songs,” said Mary.
She added that Martina will be 40 in September and so getting to meet Spandau Ballet would be an extra bonus for her. She has met her other idol, Paul Young, twice before.
Olivia added that her mother has never stopped fighting for Martina and she would love for her to meet Spandau Ballet tomorrrow.
“I know they say music has the power to change the world, but I really have seen it. These five men - Tony, Gary, Martin, John and Steve - have been a lifeline to my twin, their music has brought her joy and in return she has given her family so much joy. My twin is my idol, she has made me the person I am today, I would really love for her to meet her idols,” said Olivia.