Search

I’ve lived with MS for almost a decade now and I’ve encountered numerous other people living with MS, most of whom have gone on to become very good friends of mine. One of the first topics of conversation between friends with MS is the initial diagnosis of their condition.

The when/where/how of their journey with MS. These stories can vary greatly depending on the stage of life, the family circumstances, and the financial circumstances of the person around the time that they were diagnosed.

MS will push you to your limits and expose your vulnerabilities. Most of us have had those days when just getting out of bed is a chore, let alone mustering up the energy to exercise. After my anxiety became infinitely worse during the pandemic and the return to pre-Covid normality had become too people-y, my boyfriend convinced me to start running.

My disability is not a tragedy and I am not a burden. I am not to be pitied and most of all I am not an inspiration just because I live with MS.

My MS and disability is just one part of who I am. It is part of my identity, just like gender, sexuality, race or religion may be part of yours. Yet society rarely sees it that way. And for a very long time I did not see it that way either.

Active Neuro offers evidence-based health promoting physical activity programmes for adults living with neurological conditions in the community. The pilot project was funded by the Slaintecare Integration Fund in the Mid-West and Multiple Sclerosis Ireland are currently rolling out this service for people in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon with the support of the HSE disability services in CHO-2. 

Last week (Part I) Rosie Farrell wrote about changing how we view and talk about disability to bring change & acceptance as part of someone’s life experience. This acceptance is part of creating personal, societal and systemic change so accessibility & equality become basic standards in Irish society. Read on for Part II: Why are you still blocking our way to equality

Galway, May 17th 2022: Active Neuro offers evidence-based health promoting physical activity programmes for adults living with neurological conditions in the community. The pilot project was funded by the Slaintecare Integration Fund in the Mid-West and Multiple Sclerosis Ireland are currently rolling out this service for people in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon with the support of the HSE disability services in CHO-2. 

Our most famous son is none other than Monsignor James Horan, dreamer and instigator of the creation of Ireland West Airport (Knock). He as parish priest of Knock was instrumental in developing Knock as a Marian Shrine and the Basilica there. ​My MS journey started in 2001 when I was diagnosed as having Primary Progressive. My MS journey started in 2001 when I was diagnosed as having Primary Progressive. Back then there was no specific treatment for that type of MS so I just had to carry on as if everything was normal . My mantra to overcome MS has always been “Failure is not an option". Any challenges MS threw at me were always overcome.

Today marks exactly a week from World MS Day!!

In preparation for next Monday, MS Ireland has a wide selection of different events on over the next week to get you all excited and ready for World MS Day consisting of four radio features, multiple coffee mornings, an Art Exhibition and much more.

Find information on these events below!

World MS Day 2022 is almost upon us! How will you be celebrating the most important day on the calendar for the MS Community throughout the world?

Get involved in the campaign by using the #MSconnections hashtag on social, or email our comms team comms@ms-society.ie. Check out all the global events happening below.

Over 9,000 people are currently living with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland. These individuals face a plethora of broad ranging symptoms, ranging from the visible, such as tremors, speech difficulties, issues with coordination and balance; to the invisible, such as fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety and cognitive disruptions.To coincide with World MS Day this 30th May 2022, MS Ireland in partnership with Novartis Ireland, are pleased to present this unique collection of original artworks, created exclusively by people living with MS.

From paintings, digital illustrations, freestanding sculptures and creative video content, the artists have utilised their chosen format to illustrate the symptoms they experience and the impact on their lives. The collection explores themes of bodily integration, self-image and changing identities with a palpable vulnerability that invites viewers to consider the artist’s perspective. It is hoped this self-reflexive examination raises awareness of the sheer diversity of potential symptoms by providing insight into the reality of living with MS.

The exhibition is open to the public from Thursday 26 May to Wednesday 1 June inclusively in the main foyer of Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute on Pearse Street, Dublin.