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World MS Day 2012 is marked in Wexford by a Presidential Visit.

Saturday May 12th saw the Wexford South Branch leading the way to celebrate World MS Day. The Branch welcomed President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina to a physiotherapy clinic where people who are living with MS, their friends, families and supporters are successfully running a professionally led programme in collaboration with a group of physiotherapists located at Clonard Medical Centre.

 

The programme, which was set up eight years ago by Bernie Kent, Ann Leacy and physiotherapist Heidi Bramley with help from Katie Hourigan of MS Ireland, is run by a team of chartered physiotherapists. It is the only one of its kind in the country, treating participants through a programme of hands-on physiotherapy interventions combined with medicine-based treatments.

Chairperson of the Wexford South Branch, Rita Donovan welcomed the President and acknowledged that the success of the programme owes much to the hard work and ‘support of local groups who have done fantastic fundraising on behalf of the programme. Rita thanked people for their support, adding that without their help the programme could not continue. The President was thanked by Olga Estridge, Community Services Manager with The Multiple Sclerosis of Ireland.

Rita said she was delighted with the success of the visit. She revealed she was a little nervous beforehand but said that ‘from the moment I greeted the President and his lovely wife Sabina, I was made to feel at ease’. President Higgins posed for official photographs and he and his wife Sabina walked around the room greeting and speaking to all the members and guests. Rita said that President Higgins speech raised some of the points that had been brought up during the walkabout of the clinic. He was very impressed with the professionalism of Miriam Rowland, Director of Physiotherapy South East and her fellow physiotherapists, the premises and the work carried out there on behalf of people with MS. 

The day was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. 

Sexuality and pregnancy were the main topics of discussion at this years Youth Congress of the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP).

'Friends of the MS Care Centre' lunch a fantastic success...

On Friday, 18th May MS Ireland played host to the 'Friends of the MS Care Centre' Lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin. With 150 guests attending on the day and many more offering donations to support the MS Care Centre the event was a fantastic success!

Ava Battles, Chief Executive of MS Ireland, thanked everyone for becoming a friend of the MS Care Centre and spoke about the importance of the Centre for people with Multiple Sclerosis across Ireland.

The story that had the most impact on the day came from Bridget Jones, who shared her story of the life of a carer to someone with MS. This truly helps each person understand the emotions and challenges that are not only felt by her husband who has MS but also how her life has changed as a result. 

Rory Egan from Limelight Training was our MC for the day and entertained us with tales full of humour; with Michael Kelly from PJ O’Dwyer Auctioneers at the helm made the auction a great success and with the help of Henry Shefflin handing out raffle prizes to our guests!

At the end of the day with a range of auction items going under the hammer and 11 fantastic raffle items given away; our supporters walked away with Katie Taylor's Boxing Gloves, a Leinster Jersey, vouchers for dinners out; nights away and lot more.

MS Ireland would sincerely like to thank those who attended the lunch. Without their support and good grace it would not have been such a resounding success.

This was the second year for this event and planning is to commence shortly for the third year of this campaign. See you in 2013...

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The chief regulatory body in the USA warns people with MS to be cautious about undergoing CCSVI treatment

13th Annual General Meeting (52nd AGM since MS Ireland’s foundation)

We are currently seeking candidates to join our panel of potential Board members

Clean out your closets for MS Ireland!

Join Multiple Sclerosis Ireland this World MS Day, Wednesday, 30th May to raise awareness, raise issues and raise funds!

MSIF has launched a new survey about the process of getting a diagnosis of MS.

Join the Byrne Family on a unique journey along the Royal Canal Way! The Royal Canal charity walk in aid of MS Ireland is organised by Edward Byrne Jnr, Dublin to raise awareness and vital funds for services for people with MS.

The walk will take place over a three day period during the May Bank holiday from the 5th - 7th May.

The family hope that the public will come out to cheer them along the route and wish them well. “We are hoping that about fifty people will do the entire three day walk”, but the beauty of this weekend is that people can join in at any point and do as much or as little as they like" said Eddie.

Download schedule here

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Do you want to help or get involved? Contact Eddie Byrne directly by email at eddiebyrne52@eircom.net or call 0858128138