My name is Orna, I am 50 years old and have been living with MS for just over a year now. I was sent into A&E in January of 2021, right when Covid numbers in hospitals were at their worst. It was the last place I wanted to be but I had lost complete feeling in my torso and it was gradually spreading. I had no idea what was happening as this came completely out of the blue. The staff in the Mater hospital were fabulous. They did an MRI, CT scans, bloods and a Lumbar Puncture within 48 hours and put me on IV steroids. I left the hospital six days later with an MS diagnosis. I was in total shock but friends and family were amazing and rallied around which really helped lift my spirits.
It is just over a year since my diagnosis and so much has changed in my life. This has impacted not just me but my family's life as well. Unfortunately, I had to give up my job as a pre-school teacher, which I adored. That has been one of the hardest parts of dealing with the diagnosis. The fatigue, both physical and cognitive, have been amongst the biggest challenges, along with the pain and stiffness in my limbs each morning. I now have to accept that I can't do everything I want to do. I worry about the future and where this illness is going to lead me. I have always been very independent and led a busy life and hate the thought of losing all that.
Last year, I logged onto the MS society website and Facebook page. The information and personal blogs, made me feel less isolated and gave me a greater understanding of what I was dealing with. I saw an ad for the Move Smart programme and signed up for it immediately. It's one of the best things I could have done. Its a ten week course that links you online to a Physiotherapist and in my case, a number of other women who were also recently diagnosed with MS. This has been invaluable in improving my outlook and quality of life. Susan Coote was our Physio and she was fabulous.
Within a short amount of time I felt physically stronger and more able but I also came away with a sense of what I can do and not what I can't do. I have to remind myself of Susan's words regularly 'do a little, rest a little'. Getting to know the other women that were also part of the group was great. Although we were all different ages, from different parts of the country, we were all newly diagnosed and therefore coming to terms with and understanding the illness. I love that we still stay in touch and are there to support eachother whenever we need it. I now push myself physically more than I would have prior to taking part in the programme and I know that this is going to really benefit me in the long run.
I have come to accept that this is a new chapter in my life. I take the challenges day by day with huge support from my husband and kids. I intend to continue logging on to MS Ireland and taking part in more groups such as the Move Smart Programme