• 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.

  • Blogging,  MS,  Multiple Sclerosis,  Writing

    Slowing down

    A friend sent me this picture this evening as a reminder that I need to take a step back from writing, reading, advocating and generally helping others so I can “get better” again. We all know people with MS do not “get better” but I understood his reasoning… I need to sleep more,  relax more and stop running around like a crazy chick (also his words, not mine :)) It has been a mad few months really.  Stepping up my writing for the Ireland Blog Awards (being nominated and then shortlisted has finally started sinking in), going away for the MS National Day in Galway (stress about public speaking!), starting a writing course (not done a dicky-bird yet!), having to travel abroad because of the passing away of my uncle,…

  • Advocacy,  MS,  Multiple Sclerosis,  Practical life hacks and MS

    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…

  • Blogging,  MS

    Perfectionism

    Banjaxed, tired high and wrecked. That’s how yesterday unfolded. After being up till 3.30am writing, I managed to sleep only 3h. I was unable to sleep, and as a result, I was going over the things I still needed to do before Saturday’s National MS Day in Galway. One of the topics of the day will be a panel discussion on being ‘active and interactive’ when living with MS and as always, it seems to turn into a college-type project.

  • MS,  Multiple Sclerosis,  World MS Day

    World MS Day 2013

    World MS Day 2013 today. While my diagnosis gave me a lot to think about, it gave back so many things to cherish and love: friends that care, family that supports and a medical team that is ready to tackle my every need. While there might not be a cure yet, I feel blessed to have received a second chance on life to do right by others, to lobby and to open the eyes of many. Thank you everyone for walking along my path of MS. You are the best!