My MS Journey x
The May50k holds profound significance for me, as it symbolizes not only a personal journey of resilience but also a collective effort towards a cause close to my heart.
At 23, I woke up with pins and needles in my left arm. It took a week for this symptom to spread throughout my body and for me to finally admit to my mother something was wrong. A quick trip to the local West of Ireland GP who had never seen a case of MS before, and straight to Emergency. Lumbar puncture, MRI Scans, allergic responses to medication resulted in the diagnosis of Clinically Isolated Syndrome, which later progressed into Multiple Sclerosis.
At first, the diagnosis plunged me into unfamiliar territory, with frequent visits to neurologists and a resignation to needles as a routine. However, amid the difficulties, I found myself fortunate—fortunate for the opportunities to travel and live in Canada, London, New Zealand, and Australia, to join the remarkable women at Stockwood Park RFC in rugby, to hike the Cape-Cape trail with Kylianne at Move for Mental Health, to be a guest on Coach McCloone's podcast, to kayak 100kms in support of the amazing next generation I teach, and now, to proudly declare that I can deadlift triple digits with the dedicated team at Art of Training. MS hasn't halted my life; it's inspired me to embrace greatness and adapt around treatments.
In 2020, despite a challenging setback of losing control of my legs due to a relapse and being hospitalized in the Pilbara, I found TheMay50k. That gave me the motivation to get outside and I walked a wobbly 50kms that month. The following years saw remarkable progress: in 2021, I ran 100kms, raising over $500; in 2022, I ran 150kms, raising over $1,000; and in 2023, I ran 200kms, raising over $2,000.
These milestones reflect not only personal achievements but also the unwavering support of friends, family, and kind-hearted individuals, contributing significantly to MS research efforts.
I am deeply grateful for the support received, remembering with fondness how MS Ireland sent a nurse weekly to my home to assist with administering a daily needle into my stomach for years, underscoring the invaluable role of organizations in providing crucial support and care for those affected by MS.
You got this 💪🏻