• Lifestyle

    Christmas: The Paradox of Our Time

    “The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make…

  • Advocacy,  MS,  Multiple Sclerosis

    MS Ireland National Meeting Day 2013

    Last September, I was invited by the Irish MS Society to take part in a panel discussion at their National Day in Galway. I happily accepted because we all know that I never say no to having a good chat. The topic of the National Day was ‘being active and interactive’, and the panel discussion covered employment, exercise, being online and volunteering. Trevis Gleason, well-known in the MS stratosphere and a new addition to the Irish population, interviewed four people with MS: Grace, Anne-Marie, Mark and myself. These are the videos covering above topics. We were all a bit nervous (no, really?! :)) because of being filmed, but we all did very well.

  • MS,  Multiple Sclerosis

    My brother’s silence

    Grief, a tear in my mind when others talk about their brother. A hug I cannot feel anymore. A future we will not share anymore. There is a silence I cannot place, memories that are beginning to fade. The silence he leaves behind, follows me in places in Ireland I know he would have loved, he would want to return to time after time.

  • News Stories

    It’s not just sport. It’s Irish rugby.

    Yesterday Ireland saw what the Irish rugby team is capable of when all parameters are right. It turned out to be an emotional day for many since Ireland has never beaten New Zealand. When the 80 minutes of the game were played, Ireland was ahead. But then came the last 90 seconds. Pure joy changed into pure heartache. Still… as a nation, we can be proud of our rugby team because we saw belief, passion, strength and rugby intelligence at work. Below video shows what rugby means to people in Ireland. [youtube=http://youtu.be/ElMEi_TlPmM]

  • Uncategorised

    Dublin Speaks No Language

    Dublin speaks no language I cannot hear with my heart. Sings no song I cannot Feel by the touch on my lips. Hold no love, I cannot Embrace with my thoughts. Dublin listens quietly, Unconditionally. ©Willeke Van Eeckhoutte ©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.

  • Happy Thoughts,  MS,  Multiple Sclerosis

    11 years!

    There aren’t many things in my life that have outnumbered my years in Ireland as I celebrate my 11th anniversary of living in Ireland today. Once again I had to pinch my arm, making sure that I woke up in Clonsilla, Ireland instead of Belgium. Eleven years indeed. Dreams do come true if you want it badly, if you work at it and if you don’t lose focus. Eleven years. Eleven. Eleven. Yes, Billie, eleven! Love for family and friends obviously outnumbered all the years living in Ireland. Likewise for pets come and gone, as well as my addiction to books, libraries, history and all things Irish.

  • Mental Health,  Multiple Sclerosis

    My brother

    A small, black leather wallet. Used, worn, and carrying the scent of the jeans my brother used to wear. A plectrum faded from the many songs he played on his bass guitar. Memories. Too many to fill my mind at once. Love. Too deep to ever forget he was my brother, my only sibling.