MS Ireland
Informing, Supporting and Caring for the MS Community
The MS community is a strong vibrant gathering of different people affected by or interested in MS. Whether you want to be an active member or just receive information and updates, we welcome anyone to become a member of MS Ireland.
Your membership also means we can provide and develop our services. As our contribution for the government only covers 50% of the cost of our services we provide to people and families affected by MS, your support through membership, donations and fundraising is very important.
MS Ireland operates lifetime membership of €50. Download membership form to become a member today.
*MS Ireland’s services are available to anyone affected by MS regardless of membership status.
MS Ireland’s Members are the person or persons whose names are for the time being entered on MS Ireland’s Register. As of 2nd May 2014, we have 5,013 members on the Register.
Your legacy is our legacy. Help us continue our essential research and services. Find out more.
Hello, my name is Caroline Brennan and I was diagnosed with MS in May 2014. I experienced prolonged symptoms both before and after my diagnosis and got no relief from disease modifying drugs- just a selection of side-effects. As crazy as this may sound, I now count my diagnosis as one of the greatest blessings in my life. MS made me dig deep within for life skills that I otherwise may have never acquired. I have been forced to take a thorough inventory of my life and MS has been my toughest but greatest teacher. It has taught me a deep sense of appreciation for both my mind and body and all of the miraculous things that these aspects of me can do. I have chosen to focus my attention on the things I can do and this has served me very well. I treat my body with respect, as if it is an irreplaceable machine and I fuel it with organic, wholesome, nutritious foods. I protect it from chemicals, additives and preservatives and in turn it responds positively. I give it rest when it signals to me that it has had enough and I cool it down at the first sign of overheating. In short, I have learned to listen, deeply, to my body. When I walk I am focused on walking. I am appreciating every successful step I take. When I shower I am focused on showering, appreciating the flow of the water. When I eat, I am focused on tasting, chewing, swallowing. The old me was too busy thinking about the next task to notice the details of these daily rituals and so deeply entrenched in mental chatter that I was totally unaware as to what I was actually doing in the present moment. But that is only a small part of my journey thus far. I have also learned the importance of being very selective in relation to the story I tell about myself. I am me first and foremost. I am not the sum total of my experiences and I am not my MS. It is not the most defining thing about me. I start every day reciting a list of positive affirmations silently to myself. This practise sustains me so well that I would not even entertain beginning my day without reminding myself of all the good things that are housed within myself. Try it! What works for me is: “I am kind, I am loving, I am content, I am hopeful, I am blessed, I am supported, I am looking forward, I am doing my best and I am inspired.” These are just some of my favourites. It doesn’t really matter what the mantra is - the principle behind the concept is that the words “I am” are incredibly powerful. Starting my day in this way uplifts my mood and sets the tone for the day ahead. There are lots of other tips and tricks I have learned along my MS path. Its’ been quite the journey so far and (here’s another affirmation for you…) I am only getting started! PS. I am mother to a five-year-old boy, I am a wife, I am a daughter and I am a practising lawyer. I am also skydiving in support of MS Ireland on 15th July!
Get Active for MS MS Ireland is delighted to be nominated as the charity partners at the Ros Go Run event in the West. Funds raised from the entry fees to go towards supporting vital services for people with multiple sclerosis. On Sunday, 3rd September the Ros Go Run half marathon and 10km run starts at 11.30am from Eire Og Clubhouse, Loughglynn, Roscommon. The AAI certified Ros Go Run Half Marathon draws runners from around the world and is especially popular with people enjoying a late summer holiday in Ireland. Apparently, the date fits in perfectly if you happen to be training for the Berlin Marathon and doesn’t interrupt your holiday in the West of Ireland. (If you’re training for Dublin or New York, it fits in well with them, too.) The 2017 run – on 3rd September – will follow the same route as in previous years and, again, will be chip-timed by MyRunResults to help you match your performance against your personal best and against other runners. The Ros Go Run website has pictures, maps and elevation for the route, more information about the race, and some tips to help you prepare for it. Online registration is now open, and remember, you can keep up with us on Facebook and Twitter. Get in touch Call: 094 9880495 or Email: RosGoRun@gmail.com
Highlighting Life with Multiple Sclerosis World MS Day 2017 will take place on Wednesday, May 31st and the theme this year is 'Life with MS', raising awareness of Multiple Sclerosis for thousands of people in Ireland and their families. Aoife Kirwan from Kildare and Maggs O’Riordan Wall from Limerick, both living with MS, are highlighting the challenges of life with MS including MS attacks, mobility issues, cognitive difficulties and the crucial need for increased neuro rehabilitation services. Ava Battles, Chief Executive, MS Ireland comments: “Life with Multiple Sclerosis is greatly impacted by the availability of neurology and neurorehabilitation services and this World MS Day we are calling for an increase in resources for neurology services in Ireland that match the need, ensuring access to care and support on time. Early identification of MS, early treatment with an appropiate medication and timely neurorehabilitation can improve functioning, reduce symptoms, and delay or prevent disability accumulation or deterioration.” How to get involved Events are planned across Ireland to mark World MS Day 2017 including 9,000 Steps for MS which will see supporters running, walking or dancing 9,000 Steps (6.5k) with colleagues, friends or family. Funds raised will directly help in services provision locally, in particular, physiotherapy, counselling and respite at the national MS Care Centre. Share your tips and photos/videos with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for living well with MS. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #LifewithMS MS Ireland, the national organisation providing vital services, information and support to people with MS, will hold a World MS Day event at Leinster House on Wednesday, May 31st to raise awareness of essential neuro rehabilitation services for people with Multiple Sclerosis. Neurology services in Ireland: The number of specialist nurses is significantly below what is recommended for our population with less than half the recommended number of MS nurses Every hospital group exceeds the ratio for consultant neurologists for our population No centre has MRI access for routine referrals in under two months and seven of the eleven neurology centres cannot get access within one year of referral. Lack of access to neurorehabilitation services including therapies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Ireland should have nine community neurorehabilition teams. There are currently only three in the entire counry and these are only partially staffed * The source of these statistics is the survey carried out by the Neurological Alliance of Alliance and the National Clinical Programme for Neurology, published in February 2016.
Date for your diary! This September MS Ireland will bring a group of trekkers to Croatia. If you are looking for a challenge this year and want to support families with MS all over Ireland, come along to our information evening. This is a great opportunity to meet trek leaders, Melanie our coordinator, and past participants will join us for our talk on Friday, 26th May in the Lansdowne Hotel, Pembroke Rd, Dublin 4 at 7.30pm. Get in touch: Please contact Melanie (01) 6781600 or email melaniec@ms-society.ie We hope you can join us!
How to get involved We will join with individuals and organisations across the world to mark World MS Day on Wednesday, 31st of May. This is one of the highlights of our year when we come together to celebrate and empower the 9,000 people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland. The theme for this year's World MS Day is Life with MS. How is Life with MS positively impacted for people living with MS? Life with MS can be difficult. Each day brings new challenges, which need new solutions. Share your tips for managing these challenges and help someone else who is living with MS. Share your tips and photos/videos with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for living well with MS. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #LifewithMS Neurorehabilitation: MS Ireland is raising awareness of essential neurorehabilitation services for people with Multiple Sclerosis: timely neuro rehabilitation, improving function and reducing symptoms, may delay or prevent disability accumulation or deterioration. Contact your local TD 9,000 steps for MS (6.5k) - we are asking individuals, groups, companies to walk, run, dance or move 9,000 steps for MS. Research Showcase with the MS Research Team in the University of Limerick on Tuesday, 30th May. MS Care Centre Coffee Morning - with a bonanza raffle, variety of entertainment and stalls to include, homemade cakes, plants, artwork, books and flower arrangements. Hope you can join us on May 31st. Attend an event - around the country we are organising information, support and fundraising events, check out our calendar to find out what's happening near you. Organise an event - in your community, school or workplace to raise awareness of MS have a coffee morning, a cake bake, do a non-uniform day, table quiz, even take part in a skydive! Donate - Your donation helps provide services for people living with MS. Text to donate - STEPS to 50300 and donate €4* Text costs €4. MS Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278. Get in touch Our team are here to help! Email fundraising@ms-society.ie
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25 June 2017: Collection at Moyvane Church in aid of the Kerry North Branch of MS Ireland.
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