Billy Gilleran – Westmeath | MS Journeys
For Billy Gilleran from Westmeath, World MS Day is important because it helps raise awareness and open people’s eyes to the realities of living with MS.
“It raises awareness and opens eyes to the greater community.”
For Billy, living with MS has been both deeply difficult and unexpectedly revealing.
“Be kind to yourself and go with the flow. MS is an unforgiving condition that has taken so much away from me, but has unlocked my potential in other ways.”
He says that while MS has not changed who he is as a person, it has changed him physically and made him more resilient.
“Not as a person, but I am physically different and this has made me more resilient going forward.”
For someone newly diagnosed, Billy’s message is practical and hopeful.
“Stay on top of your exercise from early on, new treatments are always emerging and getting better so keep yourself well informed.”
The role of family, friends and community in Billy’s journey has been mixed. While support was strong in the beginning, he says that over time some people drifted away. His immediate family, however, have remained a constant source of support.
“My immediate family being very supportive always and encourage me any way they can.”
One of the things that has surprised him most about living with MS is just how difficult it can be.
“How difficult it is to live with this condition, due to lack of empathy and understanding.”
Among the biggest challenges he faces are accessibility and the difficulty of being seen beyond the wheelchair.
“Accessibility, getting people to see you as you once were and looking beyond the wheelchair.”
Music has become one of Billy’s most important ways of managing his MS emotionally.
“Playing and writing music… I hold my negative thoughts towards the condition within these songs so I can leave it there.”
Billy has achieved a great deal while living with MS and speaks with pride about both his academic and creative accomplishments.
“I opened my own music school in 2022 which has been successful. I have participated in the MS Ireland May 50K challenge and raised €17,000.”
His message to others living with MS is captured in a song that means a lot to him:
“‘Don’t Give Up’ by Peter Gabriel.”
Billy’s story is one of resilience, creativity and determination, showing how purpose and expression can help people move forward while living with MS.
Billy’s MS Diagnosis Journey
