When an Inch is a Mile

My name is Sean Cumiskey. I’m from Armagh Northern Ireland. I’m a father of two beautiful children Abbie and Mike and husband to Doreen.

All through my youth I played football for Silverbridge Harps. I trained to be an Electrician. I still played sport and moved football to play with Dorsey Emmetts . I was healthy and fit up until I was twenty four years old. I was constantly tired, suffering with pins and needles, stumbling and falling A lot. I knew there was something wrong. I went on to get tests done and MRI proved I had MS. I had a few relapses at this time but steroids were able to help me manage. I was still able to work and I went on to marry my wife in 2010. The MS didn’t stop me, We were blessed to have our first child a little girl called Abbie in 2012. Life was really good. I didn’t realise it at the time but I used Abbie’s pram as an aid to help me walk. I noticed my walking had become bad around this time and I stopped working. 

In 2014/15 A tremor slowly progressed in my right eye and moved down towards my right arm. I was left blind in my right eye but my sight came back after 4-6weeks but I’m colour blind in my right eye.  I then had to go on to use my left hand which was challenging as I’m right handed. I can’t use a knife so Doreen would cut up all my meals. I was falling a lot more at this time. I fell down my stairs one Christmas and suffered concussion, which led on to getting a downstairs bedroom and bathroom being built through a grant.

In 2018 we were graced again with a little boy Mike. I started to use his pram, again as an aid to help steady my walking but I could feel my legs getting weaker and heavier when walking. Steroids were increased.

In 2019 my neurologist introduced me to a Tablet called FAMPRIDINE (FAMPYRA) to help with my tremor in my arm and eye but it also helps with walking (two birds one stone)!

I was put on this tablet for a free trial of one month. My family and friends really noticed the difference. I wasn’t trembling as much. After the first week of taking the tablet I could feel the strength in my back. My ankles weren’t aching. I reduced some of my medication as I felt I didn’t need it. I actually ran across my kitchen floor without even thinking about it. I hadn’t ran in years!

My family were very supportive and paid for this tablet but then Covid hit and I stopped taking the tablet but as things are getting back to a little normality I would really like the chance to able to walk independently again but, unfortunately this good drug comes at a cost.

This tablet is available for free on the NHS in Scotland and Wales but not yet available in Northern Ireland or England, but I’m still hoping this will change and become available. 

This tablet would last me two years if I can reach my target goal.

If you feel you could help in anyway even just by sharing my story, I would be so grateful. Thanks for listening.

Many Thanks Sean.