Together We Are Better

I often hear people say that all MSers are different. I know where they are coming from. This chronic illness has so many, seemingly random symptoms. The brain is supposed to be conducting the orchestra but due to inexplicable glitches, certain instruments go out of tune from time to time- or stop playing altogether. It’s tempting to turn down the volume or stop the music completely. It’s true that all MSers are affected differently. Yet- we are all the same. We ALL have MS. Just like organisations like the IFA or the GAA- we have something massive in common, even though we are different.

Together- we are better….

I know from experience that these words are true. Things are easier when you have buddies; comrades; a community. That way, you can be part of something. That way, you don’t feel so alone. I regret that I let myself wallow alone in my self-made MS pit for as long as I did. Now that I am part of the MS club I can get (and give!) the support I need. I can focus on doing positive things with people who get my chronic illness.

Economic impacts are something that affect us all- unless you are lucky enough to have found a generous benefactor who will foot the bills. MS comes with a myriad of hidden costs. I constantly worry that I will not be able to make ends meet for my family. The most obvious for me was loss of income but the price tags on the cost of my vital medication and the loss of MSers from the workforce are astronomical. For the first time, MS Ireland wants to estimate such costs on a national basis. By participating in their survey- you will be helping MS Ireland articulate the substantial economic impact of MS, which could shape future health policy in Ireland.

At this evening’s MS Louth Branch Support Group, I am going to strongly encourage everyone to wisely invest twenty minutes and complete the ‘Societal Costs of Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland’ survey. If we stand shoulder to shoulder and shout with one, clear voice, the government will hear us better. “We want improved, effective services! We want first-rate drugs faster! We want meaningful jobs! We want to make informed decisions on our health!” If we don’t articulate ourselves, we will either be ignored or given things we don’t want.

Please complete the survey. The closing day is the 9th of April. It’s our chance to let the government know that “WE ARE HERE!!!"

Together We Are Better