As promised last week when we said goodbye to some of our long-time MS & Me bloggers, we now begin by introducing you to our team for 2018. While it may feel like January has been ‘blogging about blogging’, we feel it is important to note the changes, growth and evolution which MS & Me is constantly going through.
We hope that you’ll welcome our new contributors as well as welcome back some familiar voices to our community.
Declan Groeger
Back with us but in the new role as Contributing Editor is Declan Groeger. Declan was part of the original MS & Team in 2014. The Cork man has lived with MS for about 30 years and is an avid traveller. He says of himself, “I am older, but not old. Am insanely positive and an eternal optimist.” His personal blog, Accessibility Matters, began in 2013 and offers musings not only about travel with MS, but also his finds for accessible restaurants. We’re happy to have Declan join our editorial team to help shape MS & Me into whatever it may become.
Joan Jordan
Also returning is Joan Jordan. The Louth native returned to Ireland in 2004 after living abroad for several years. She’s married with two teenagers (and their cat, Tiger), recently returned to part-time employment as the Content Coordinator for EUPATI, the European Patients Academy, and is very excited about that step.
Joan is an active member of the Louth Branch of MS Ireland, runs the Humans Multiple Sclerosis community and has a new book aimed at newly diagnosed people with MS due out later this year.
Fergal Hughes
Father of two boys and currently separated, Fergal Hughes likes films, books and classical music. When it comes to exercise, however, he says it best himself, “I prefer an exercise bike. Unfortunately, I don’t exercise that much… in fact, I don’t exercise. *Note to self: this needs to change*.”
Fergal gets a kick out of life and of writing about his experiences. We look forward to reading more of his observations around life, single-parenting, and perhaps getting back on that exercise bike…
Christina McDonald
28- year old Christina McDonald has recently decided to return to education and become certified as a primary school teacher. Diagnosed in late 2016, Christina enters her second year of living with MS by joining the MS & Me blog team.
Beyond children and education (she’s also an Honours Degree in Cultural Studies), her passions include raising awareness of multiple sclerosis. She looks forward to sharing her story as she makes her way through her degree and on to teaching.
Keith Byrne
Married and a new father, you may have read Keith Byrne’s story in this week’s Independent. Diagnosed just after his first Christmas engaged to his now wife, Keith has changed his life habits (exercise, diet, and, well… being a new father changes things quite a bit, too!).
Keith enjoys writing – not just about MS – so we look forward to seeing what a full-time employed, newlywed, busy new father has to share.
Robert Joyce
Robert Joyce has been living with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for over 25 years. For the past 4 of those with the addition of chronic pain. He writes the blog A 30-Minute Life about his experiences with both.
In his two and a half decades living with this disease, he’s come up with some interesting strategies, a sense of gratitude and looks forward to sharing them with our community. We too look forward to sage advice and thoughtful reflection from this long-time MS veteran.
Next week we’ll share more profiles of our remaining MS & Me blog team. We hope you read, comment, and share your thoughts as we bring you new perspectives and new voices in the coming months.
Add new comment