Latest news with #MSIreland
Irish Examiner
24-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
What a Difference a Day Makes: "MS isn't the life sentence it was, I'm living proof of that"
I coach soccer and Gaelic and I'd a problem with my right leg, my back too. I was dragging my leg, it was a bit dead. I put it down to trapped nerve, a slipped disc. My wife, Sheila, said 'go to the osteopath'. But after some checks on me, and because I'd no pain, she was reluctant to work on me. She recommended an MRI. I thought this a bit drastic, and was annoyed she wasn't going to fix me right then. Sheila advised I ring the Galway Clinic. They said to come to A&E next morning — Thursday, March 12, 2020. After a spinal MRI, sitting in the waiting room, the doctor came, said: 'We need to admit you.' Something had shown up, they needed more tests. I was in shock: 'How do you mean, something showed up? What showed up?' They said to take a seat, that they were sorting a room. There was a TV right above me. I remember looking up: breaking news – 'we're going now to Washington'. And Leo Varadkar standing on steps: 'I need to speak to you about the coronavirus.' There was urgency in his words, and I kind of came out of my own breaking news. I listened to the headline, kind of stared at him blankly… I was thinking 'what could have shown up on my scan, what's the doctor on about?'. And Leo was still talking, and my mind in a blur: could they have been wrong with the scan? And I heard Leo saying they were shutting down education, all schools. I remember thinking 'I'm supposed to be at work' — I'm a caretaker in Ballinrobe Community School. I was thinking 'my job is to open the school and I'm in hospital'. There was this crossover between what Leo was saying and where I work. I rang Sheila, said: 'I'm in a bit of bother, but don't come up — when I know more I'll buzz you.' Andy Walsh who lives with MS at the launch of MS Ireland's nationwide cinema campaign for World MS Day 2025, held at the Odeon, Point Square, Dublin. The doctor arrived — I was going for a brain MRI. Was there a family history of MS? I asked: 'Am I going to be in a wheelchair?' The doctor said no, they were just trying to rule out something. I was given a bed, I'd have a lumbar puncture next morning, blood tests later. Had I had any other symptoms? And it clicked — in recent months, I'd been experiencing numbness on the left side of my face — half my cheek, lip, eye, occasionally going numb. My eye-lid would sometimes half close. Random sensations... pins-and-needles on my leg, sometimes across my chest. I phoned Sheila, said: 'They're on about MS, will you pack a bag? And bring my cigarettes.' I Googled MS. What can be done for it? I wasn't a big smoker but straightaway I saw: 'if you're a smoker and have MS, you're 70% more likely to relapse'. I was thinking pretty big odds — you wouldn't be betting on that! All of this was happening to me, and covid was in the background — the country had gone into meltdown, people buying toilet roll, loaves of bread. By the time Sheila came they'd put security on the doors. We met in the foyer between the doors. That was probably the most emotional time. She cried. I cried. I was telling her I was going to be ok. I didn't know myself what I was facing. I remember thinking the time I had with her was precious. After she left I went on my phone, looking for someone to tell me, if it is MS it mightn't be as bad as I thought. I couldn't find anything — in March 2020 all I could see was doom and gloom. Andy Walsh: All of this was happening to me, and covid was in the background — the country had gone into meltdown, people buying toilet roll, loaves of bread. Photo: Ray Ryan The official MS diagnosis came later, but on March 13 they reviewed my spine and brain scans — I had a lot of lesions, it was pretty obvious. Everything just ground to a halt. I had all these questions: were things going to shut down for me? Would I be able to keep coaching football, keep working? Bigger than that: can I still be a father to our 10-year-old son, Ajay? A husband to Sheila? A three-day course of IV steroids improved me. I went home. Lockdown helped — I didn't have to make arrangements around work, get somebody else to take Ajay to training, or to take the training session. Everything had stopped, and it was like it had stopped for me. I had a pretty aggressive form of MS. Four weeks home, I lost my ability to walk — the darkest time ever. The doctor spoke about ramps to the front door, how high were the light switches. I said 'you're moving way too fast'. September 2020, I started a treatment plan, and within weeks saw improvement. That first day in hospital in March, I'd thought, whatever news I get today, I'm going to meet it head-on. I have to — for Ajay and Sheila, who are the most important to me. I'm a big believer in control the controllables. I changed my diet, started exercising, improved my core strength. I slowly got my walk back. I still have that box of cigarettes in the glove box of my car. If you see me today, you wouldn't know there's anything wrong with me. I'm working full-time, involved in football and motorsports. I am the good news story I looked for in 2020. I want the 2020 me to see the 2025 me, to see that MS isn't the life sentence it once was.
Irish Independent
11-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Clare abseiling challenge to raise essential funds for Multiple Sclerosis Ireland
MS Ireland and a troop of adventurers will quite literally descend on the Burren National Park on Sunday, July 27, as the national charity hosts the abseiling challenge. MS Ireland is a national charity that provides information, specialised services and support to the MS community across Ireland. Services include one-to-one support via Regional Community Workers, physiotherapy, symptom management programmes, newly diagnosed sessions, and the MS Information Line – often the first point of contact following a diagnosis. MS Ireland also operates the only national respite and therapy centre for people with MS in Ireland. More than two-thirds of the 11,000 people living with MS in Ireland access the charity's services annually. The organisation also plays a vital advocacy role, representing the MS community on a wide range of issues that impact quality of life. Set against the backdrop of one of Ireland's most unique and dramatic landscapes, participants in the abseiling challenge will take on the Burren's 'big one' – a high vertical cliff abseil. The abseil will, of course, be conducted under the supervision of expert instructors. MS Ireland is aiming for the event to be both an incredibly memorable experience, and an opportunity to support those in Ireland living with MS. MS Ireland's Fundraising Manager, Melanie Cunningham, said this is a 'unique way' to make a difference. ADVERTISEMENT 'Whether you're an adrenaline-seeker or simply passionate about supporting a cause that matters, this is a unique way to make a real difference,' she said. 'Participants will not only take on a thrilling personal challenge but also help ensure that vital services remain available for the MS community across Ireland.' The challenge day will begin with a comprehensive safety briefing and a hands-on practice session on flat ground, giving everyone the chance to familiarise themselves with the equipment and abseiling process. 'The start is always the scariest, but once you're over the edge, it gets easier – and the views are extraordinary,' organisers admit. Open to adventurers aged 14 and over, the challenge carries a fundraising target of €250 per person, with all funds raised going directly to MS Ireland. Fergal O'Keefe, MS Ireland's Communication Officer, said the charity chose this challenge as a fundraiser because it's 'interesting'. 'It's the same for every charity, we are always trying to look for new and interesting ways to get people involved,' he said. 'I suppose the more interesting the fundraiser, the more successful the fundraiser. So, we're always looking for something a little bit different, you know, because obviously there are so many charities in Ireland all trying to fundraise. 'Abseiling is a newer fundraiser that we've started doing. We've been doing abseiling with the company in Dalkey, but this upcoming one will be the first one in the Burren. I'm actually from Clare myself, so I know how magical it is. I used to scuba dive off the Burren, around that area, and I would see people all the time doing the training for abseiling there. It's a magical spot.' According to Fergal, the Burren is 'perfectly suited' for this challenge. 'When you do that famous Burren drive, you see all the cliffs, but there's loads of cliffs of different sizes, so it's a great place, obviously wonderful and picturesque, but also a great place for training,' he said. 'The people that do abseiling challenges with us are usually people that have never done it before. So, there's lots of different areas where you can do smaller abseils to practice and to learn and to train. It is very exciting for anyone that gets to do it, you know, because it's such a gorgeous, gorgeous place. From a practical point of view then, there's loads of different sizes of almost natural climbing walls, basically.' The Burren, whose name comes from the Irish boíreann meaning 'rocky place,' is internationally renowned for its striking limestone landscape and unique biodiversity.
Irish Independent
17-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
‘He eats, sleeps and breathes Samaritans' – Arklow charity director steps down
After joining the branch in 2017 and committing his time, energy and can-do attitude to the cause, Damien's fellow volunteers recognised his diligence and dedication by electing him as their branch director in 2022. Taking on the busy position and learning as he went, Damien took the leadership role in his stride, working long hours on fundraising efforts, awareness campaigns and developing meaningful connections with communities on both sides of the Wicklow-Wexford border. Although no longer the branch director, Damien is still working away in the background with the branch and will return in an increased capacity after a brief break. In the meantime, he will be kept busy by his new role as chairperson of the MS Ireland East Wicklow Branch – a cause very close to his heart. Still on cloud nine after the 'amazing' reception he received at his celebratory bash, Damien said that it was a pleasure and an honour to work closely with so many like-minded and dedicated volunteers, adding that he is delighted that the charity is in the safe hands of new branch director Brigid Flynn. 'It was nice to see so many people there at the party, and I didn't expect to see such a turnout, with lots of volunteers and people who support Samaritans in attendance, and I'm so grateful to everyone at the branch,' he said. 'I enjoyed the role, and there were a lot of really positive things that happened over the last year, with lots of kindness and generosity from the community. 'It was just amazing to see what can come from an idea for an event, with people becoming more aware of it and our services, and the branch going from strength to strength because of it. Spreading the word about the charity and encouraging people to volunteer has been very rewarding. 'It is a busy role, but everyone's busy here, not just the branch director. All our volunteers give their role 100pc, and that's amazing to see. 'There's a kind of rule that you have to take a break and stay away for a little while after you step down, but I'll still be helping out here and there in the background, with the IT side and outreach activities, and I hope to return in an increased capacity in recruitment. 'I was offered the role of chairperson of the MS Ireland East Wicklow Branch, which I was already part of, so it works out in a way that I have more free time to commit to that,' he continued. ADVERTISEMENT 'I'm not going anywhere, and will return to the Samaritans branch, which I'm delighted will now have Brigid as the branch director. 'She's very committed and has been involved in every area of the charity. She has given her all since day one, and I know she'll excel in the new role. 'I can see a bright future with Brigid at the helm, and I'll be very glad to be part of her team.' Returning the compliment, Brigid expects Damien will do great things in his new role at the MS Ireland East Wicklow Branch, adding that she is delighted she and East Coast Samaritans will still be able to call on his broad skill-set and vast knowledge. 'Damien is one in a million – he eats, sleeps and breathes Samaritans and he's fully dedicated himself to us,' Brigid said. 'He led us brilliantly for three years, and is such an approachable guy who is so willing to help in every aspect of the branch. He puts everything into it, is very dedicated. He's a great communicator and speaker. No job fazes him, and if it does, he asks for help and digs in. 'I've worked with Damien for the past three years in outreach, fundraising and volunteer care. I am just so grateful that he's not leaving our branch, he's just changing roles, and he's staying with us on the board of trustees. 'I'm so delighted that Damien is staying with us. It's just wonderful for the branch that his expertise will still be here.'
Irish Independent
07-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
See photos as Arklow bingo night raises €2,500 for local multiple sclerosis services
Calls of 'Kelly's eye', 'Doctor's orders' and 'Legs eleven' were heard echoing around the Arklow Bay Hotel when the MS Ireland East Wicklow Branch hosted a bingo night that raised €2,500 to help support local people with multiple sclerosis (MS). With the legendary Dicey Reilly MC'ing as only he can, around 200 guests attended the joyous event, which featured entertainment, spot prizes and a huge raffle, with guests also learning about the impact of MS and how the community can come together to make a difference. The MS Ireland East Wicklow Branch is a dedicated branch of MS Ireland committed to providing support and resources to individuals living with MS and their families. The branch plays a vital role in raising awareness about MS and offering much-needed assistance to those affected by this condition. Delighted with the turnout at the bingo fundraiser, organising committee member Lesley Timmins thanked Dicey for MC'ing, praised the Arklow community for their generosity and explained plans for more local fundraisers in the future. 'We had about 200 people at the bingo, and raised about €2,500, so we're delighted with how the night went,' she said. 'The funds raised will support The MS Ireland East Wicklow Branch's services, which include therapies, counselling, financial aid, days out and social occasions – things like that. 'There are six of us on the committee, and we hope to have more regular fundraisers down in this part of the county, so that funds raised will benefit more people with MS in County Wicklow.' The Arklow MS Support Group hosts weekly coffee mornings on Thursdays at 11 am in the Arklow Bay Hotel, which offers peer support with others that understand what living with MS is like. New members with MS are always welcome.
