Being active online
It’s two days after travelling 230km west for MS Ireland’s National Meeting Day in Galway, Ireland. It was a fantastic day, and I learned a lot, but it was just as great being able to share information on how to be interactive when you have a mountain of free time when you’re stuck at home. “Panel Discussion: This session looked at practical ways people with MS keep active in employment (Grace O’Sullivan), through the internet (myself), physical activity (Anne-Marie McDaid, Olympic Gold Paralympic medalist) and through MS Ireland’s work and activities (Mark Mitchell). Trevis Gleason, chef, blogger and MS advocate facilitated this session. For the benefit of others living with multiple sclerosis, and to use the long list of how to be interactive I had written beforehand, I will add some of…
Being active
Last week I received an invitation to take part in the 2013 National Meeting Day panel discussion on September 28th by the MS Society of Ireland. Needlessly, I accepted straight away as ‘Being Active and Interactive’ is something that lies close to my heart. If you’ve been part of my blogging community for a while, you already know my online involvement in regards to writing about life with multiple sclerosis as an unwelcome passenger. Because of this, adding something worthwhile to a panel discussion about how staying active and being part of an online community can lead to a very fulfilling pastime – no matter how dull or uninviting it sounds – is something I absolutely want to be part of. As a child and teen, being involved and fighting…
The right to die
Suicide law in Ireland has been a hot topic recently. Marie Fleming, a multiple sclerosis patient in the later stages of the illness, is seeking the right to commit suicide with the help of her long-term partner Tom Curran. She does not want her partner receiving criminal charges for assisting her in her dying wish, and went before the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns in Dublin. Attempted suicide is no longer a criminal offense in Ireland since it was decriminalised in 1993. While self-harm is not seen as a form of attempted suicide, assisted suicide and euthanasia are still illegal under Irish law. This, however, was challenged at the High Court in December 2012.
MS Awareness Week 2013
MS Awareness Week from Monday, March 11 2013 to Sunday, March 17th 2013. Tell us why you connect on: http://www.msconnection.org/ © Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me, 2011-2013. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
The sorry state of neurology in Ireland
On Tuesday evening, I received a late invite to join a lobby group of the NAI (Neurological Alliance of Ireland) and the Irish MS Society to protest in- and outside Leinster House, the seat of the Irish government. I was quite happy to do so, because, after being an MS Society spokesperson last year relating to new MS medication being denied to Irish patients, I more than wanted to put my shoulders under a new campaign to highlight the state of neurological services in Ireland.
Gilenya in Ireland: Yes!
People in Ireland who have multiple sclerosis will finally be able to receive Gilenya from their neurologists! The HSE’s temporary agreement from June 19th 2012 between the Department of Health and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association also revealed €20 million savings will be reached by the association. For more, please read http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0619/1224318195781.html This is absolutely fantastic news! The ongoing media campaign set up by the MS Society of Ireland surely made an impact!
Gilenya in Ireland: Yes!
People in Ireland who have multiple sclerosis will finally be able to receive Gilenya from their neurologists! The HSE’s temporary agreement from June 19th 2012 between the Department of Health and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association also revealed €20 million savings will be reached by the association. For more, please continue reading here. This is absolutely fantastic news! The ongoing media campaign set up by the MS Society of Ireland surely made an impact!