MS & Me

The MS and Me team is pleased to introduce the A to Z of MS series, designed to demystify multiple sclerosis, challenge misconceptions, and offer valuable information and support to those living with MS and their loved ones. 

This morning I opened the shutters of my bedroom to refresh the air; I could feel the warm breeze and see the blue sky. I smiled with joy. Even after being in Spain for a few months, I still get immense pleasure from this everyday.  

While residing in Ireland, most mornings when I opened the window I was greeted  by a cold blast and a grey view. I had to think - will I be able to get out for a walk today or will the rain keep me indoors? If the wind was too strong, exercising outside was not possible due to my balance issues. The climate in Ireland is tough for people with MS.

Share Your Personal Experiences with the MS Community

We are incredibly fortunate to have a group of inspiring writers sharing their life experiences with the world of multiple sclerosis (MS). As we look to expand our MS & Me team, we are inviting YOU to join us.

In this week's blog, Nadia shares her coping strategies for MS and SAD.

I’m sure that you’re familiar with the jokes about Irish weather. “It only rains twice per week in Ireland, once for three days and then the second time for four days”. The climate in Ireland leaves a lot to be desired. We spend most of the year hovering between biblical rain showers and the much coveted ‘grand drying weather’ without many distinct seasons, just varying temperatures of rain. Joking aside, what happens when the climate in Ireland makes you SAD and impacts on your MS symptoms? 

The old adage says that we should be kind, for everyone we meet is fighting a battle that we know nothing about. A recent encounter with the kindness of a stranger renewed my faith in humanity. 

When you are living with a chronic neurological illness, having a good relationship with your medical team is imperative. After all, a neurodegenerative illness is no mean feat, and you deserve doctors that are empathic to your wellbeing when you’re wading through MS’s unpredictable in its treacherous pitfalls. You also deserve a group of doctors concerned and respectful to your other medical needs, like eye doctors, physiotherapists, etc. 

Blogger Trevis L Gleason has lived without a mobile phone for a dozen years and finds an MS analogy in that choice.

When the Aer Lingus flight attendant closed the airplane door on our Boston to Dublin flight in November 2012, I turned off my mobile phone and never turned it back on. It wasn’t a conscious decision to never be tethered to a device again as we settled in for our transatlantic redeye flight. But it eventually became my choice… and that’s an important distinction for someone living with multiple sclerosis.

The Unthinkable Happened 

Never have I ever broken a bone, until last week. I went to the freezer to fetch some frozen chips, tripped on a step because I didn’t lift my bad leg high enough, and landed on my good leg. Since I was carrying a pre-prepared ice pack, I didn’t put my hands out to break the fall. I tried doing some yoga moves to get up off the kitchen tiles. Table position usually works, but not this time. Both my legs were too sore. Eventually, with my family’s help, I somehow got off the ground. I’m so glad it wasn’t captured on video! 

Hi, I am Orla Marron, the MS Readathon ambassador. I am excited to share that I will be reading and fundraising from the 1st of November to the 15th of December. I will be doing this alongside my children, Kyle and Katie, and their classmates at St. Michael’s National School in Donaghmoyne, Co Monaghan.

By picking up a book, you will not only enjoy a great story, but you will also be helping to raise funds to support the 10,000+ people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland. There is still plenty of time to join us and make a difference—register here: MS Readathon

You can read my story below or watch a short video here where I discuss my MS journey and the importance of the 2024 MS Readathon.

Ever since I can remember, I have always dreamed of living by the sea. As a child, I loved visiting Howth, Bray, and Dun Laoghaire with my parents. I have so many fond memories of roller blading on Howth Pier and climbing Bray Head on rare sunny days. I remember eating 99s when they actually cost 99p and bringing home a bucket full of interesting shells and pebbles.