Climb for Mind, Body and Soul - MS Therapy centre!
Donation protected
We decided to Postpone this climb until September 21 which unfortunately but fittingly given we have war in Europe will be on International Peace Day!!
Originally this Climb was to be part of my recent campaign to be elected as an MEP for the constituency of MNW (Midlands North West)!
One of the main drivers for that campaign was… as someone who lives with PPMS (Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis) was to bring attention to the fact that MNW has the highest incidence rate in the country and is still greatly lacking in resources!
My Campaign had 2 main pillars - Integrative Health and building a better awareness for the Disability Rights…
Destiny intervened most ironically… as on May 1st, I received a call at an MS symposium in Dublin, that my 85 year old father, had fallen, broke his hip and was in an ambulance on his way to Tullamore Hospital!
He went ‘faoi scian’ 2 days later and so practically my entire month of May was spent getting a really enlightening, if unwelcome look under the hood of Irish healthcare. At the same time I was involved in various Hustings and debates dominated by the topic of the moment Migration!
At the same time I was visiting hospitals and convalescence care homes that were visibly absolutely reliant on Immigration who provide their brilliant services, so the anti-immigrant arguments in the debates rang hollow!
The month also reinforced to me how our loved ones can transition from ‘Fit and elderly’ to disabled in an instant.
Delighted to say that despite the setback Dad continues his great recovery... huge thanks to all those Healthcare staff who were so good over what was a difficult few weeks!
Meanwhile ‘On the canvass’ I did what I could manage with my low budget, paperless campaign and was very grateful for all the airtime and local press I was afforded and in the end I was so greatly humbled that on June 6th 1079 of MNW electorate gave me their precious no. 1!
So now I am determined to deliver some of the plans we never got to... including this Charity Climb of Benbulben!!
Some Back-Story for the climb Below:
(But please feel free to ignore! and go straight to that Donate button on the right!!)
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Hi my name is Stephen Garland from Granard in Co. Longford and I hope you might help with this very worthy cause!
I am one of the 9000 people living with MS in Ireland. Indeed more than one third of the population (37%) claim to have a family member, friend, or loved one living with the condition.
There are 4 main types — clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and Primary Progressive MS (PPMS).
The incidence rate in the Irish State is 1 in 800 or 138 per 100,000 of the population, but in the Northwest (Particularly counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim)the rate is 1 in 600!!!
If Ireland has a black spot for MS it is in this MNW region!
I suffered from PPMS, which is a very much a 'slow burner' and it took me over a decade to just find out what was wrong with me... I was never taking drugs consistently which the other conditions demand as flares up can be very dramatic, 'Relapsing Remitters' often need to inject drugs every day in some cases...
I never had to! which kept the condition hidden to me... but all the time I was progressing until it began to manifest in deteriorating mobility and other hidden symptoms which were too obvious to ignore!
In hindsight I can reflect back to suffering symptoms as far back as 2008 but it wasn't until 2016 that I was fully diagnosed!
It came with a 'No treatment, No Cure ' prognosis! Through great fortune I found my way to a still Non FDA approved treatment called HSCT (A Stem Cell Transplant) which I had in
Moscow on December 5th 2013!
The transplant was really life changing and while I still suffer from mobility, I walk with a stick and occasionally will use a buggy as I still suffer from chronic pain in my feet and lower limbs but feel strong enough physically and mentally for this Benbulben Challenge.
I turned this far too long for here tale
into a One man piece of theatre called 'The Post Disposed' that I have updated and added a Live version of my ‘Canna We Talk Now? Podcast and turned into a show that you can witness as part of Sligo culture Night on Friday Sept 20th!!
Why not make a weekend of it ?
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Throughout my recovery I was living in Longford Town conveniently on the 'Sligock Express' train to Sligo which gave me access to the most incredible supports in the treasure that is The Multiple Sclerosis North West Therapy Centre.
I will forever be grateful for the kindness supports and treatments I received from the most wonderful staff and I got to know how important it was to the clients that used the centre every week for Physiotherapy, Reflexology, and even an oxygen tank that helps with the spasticity and other ailments associated with this shitty disease!
The other great tragedy of MS is it typically strikes people in their prime ladies in early 30s just when they are hoping to build a family and men in their early 40s when we are at the peak of our powers and careers!
It can feel very unfair so the mental health challenges are enormous and that is the other place the centre is so invaluable!!
The weather as you know in the North West can be pretty depressing at the best of times and on a January morning just the socialising aspect over a cuppa with the staff is invaluable!
The staff really are extraordinary!
Therapy Centre Mission Statement!!
The MS North West Therapy Centre exists to enrich the lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions by providing essential services and support to clients and their families.
The Centre relies heavily on the tireless dedication and enthusiasm of our fundraisers to enable us to continue to fund and support people with MS. The Centre provides a range of physiotherapy and holistic services including reflexology and counselling to people with MS.
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My other great support was always the MSLongford association who are also part of this fundraiser as I intend to split all the funds 75% to the NWTC and 25% to MSLongford!!
MS Longford are the last of what is now just a handful of local associations who provide a vital first contact particularly for the ‘Newly Diagnosed’.
The people in charge give freely of their time and are such a valuable resource
Personally I work hard to keep fit and strong despite what are debilitating symptoms but I love these challenges… and I love that magical mountain!
Every visit to the therapy centre perched under Benbulben's Head was incredible to me as the mountain provides the most magical, natural canvas as the light would change it by the minute sometimes!
If you can't join me please stick a few quid in the kitty and know that you will be helping to ensure the future of one of Ireland's ONLY MS centres!
We really need to do better on that front!!
Sláinte
Stephen
Under bare Ben Bulben's head
by William Butler Yeats
Under bare Ben Bulben's head
In Drumcliffe churchyard Yeats is laid.
An ancestor was rector there
Long years ago, a church stands near,
By the road an ancient cross.
No marble, no conventional phrase;
On limestone quarried near the spot
By his command these words are cut:
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death .
Horseman, pass by!
Details regarding MSLongford who similarly provide amazing supports locally in Longford and are a great contact especially for the Newly Diagnosed
Their Facebook page can be found here
Links for the MS Centre are as follows:
Official Website
I can always be contacted directly at [email redacted]
Organizer
Stephen Garland
Organizer
County Longford