MS_I79_P26-27 AGM
4/8/06
5:54 PM
Page 26
AGM
Chairman Louise Wardell
addressing the society’s
AGM in June
AGM news
The seventh Annual General Meeting (AGM)
of MS Ireland took place in the Tara Towers
Hotel in Dublin on 17 June, attended by
more than 100 members and staff
AS PART OF official business at the AGM,
Chairman Louise Wardell gave her report
on the last year in the society and
updated members on developments on
the Care Centre. The main points in her
address were as follows:
• MS Care Centre: The respite centre
re-opened in mid-June. During its
closure it underwent several
improvements, mainly in the areas of
health and safety, policies and
procedures and staff training. The
centre is now working towards the ISO
Quality of Care accreditation.
• Appointment and staffing: The
appointment of Dr Graham Love as
Chief Executive and his subsequent
achievement during his time with MS
Ireland was noted. Graham resigned
from the society in March and left with
26
•
•
•
•
•
its good wishes.
Relocations: The national office and
the Donegal and Galway regional
offices relocated during the year.
Research: Dr Gemma Donnelly-Cox of
Trinity College Dublin was asked to
review and assess the organisation’s
structures. In tandem with that,
Lansdowne Market Research was
employed to survey members in order
to review services on offer and assess
them against current needs.
Information: MSnews was revamped
and the website continues to grow with
an average of 1,000 visits every day.
Conferences: Two conferences were
held last year— one in Cork and one in
Bundoran. Both were very successful
with more than 300 attendees each.
Fundraising: National fundraising had
another successful year with MS
READaTHON and walks doing
exceptionally well. Becoming Tesco
Ireland Charity of the Year was a big
accomplishment and funds raised have
already been earmarked for use.
• International links: MS Ireland is
represented on the European Platform
as well as the International World
Federation.
• The board: The board co-opted two
members this year, Dr Art Cosgrove,
past President of University College
Dublin, and Paddy Power, former Chief
Executive of Irish Petroleum Ltd. We
highly value their undoubted expertise.
In her closing remarks, Louise said: “I
want to mention the input of Paul Flood,
who undertook the position of acting
Chief Executive and on whom I have
relied heavily in the past few months. His
firm support is valued. As Chairman I am
a figurehead, providing a line of
communication between the board and
management and on occasion the public
face of the society. I am not a sole
operator and only gain my strength and
Helpline: 1850 233 233
MS_I79_P26-27 AGM
4/8/06
5:54 PM
Page 27
AGM
power from the strong and unified body
behind me. You do have a very unified
board, which makes my job much easier
and the confidence it has placed in its
executive committee has enabled that
committee to act decisively and firmly
when necessary.”
The full text of the Chairman’s report is
available on the website.
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
The Directors’ report and financial
statements were approved. Deloitte was
re-elected as auditors. Oliver Durkin, Paul
Hogan and William Lonergan were reelected to the board. Deirdre Dolly from
Galway and Mary Keane from Waterford
were elected as new members. There were
15 nominees and the Chairman thanked all
for going forward. Excluding board
members and staff, 88 society members
attended. The branches represented were:
Ballinasloe; Bray; Carlow; Cavan; Clare;
Cork City; Cork North-West; Donegal;
Dublin North; Dublin South; Dublin West;
Fermoy; Galway; Kildare; Limerick; Louth;
Mayo South; Meath; Monaghan;
Skibereen/Bantry; Tipperary; Waterford;
Wexford North; and Wexford South.
ANNUAL REVIEW
The society launched its Annual Review
2005 (below) at the AGM. The review is a
brief look at the society and highlights
from the past year. It is available on the
website or from your local regional office.
www.ms-society.ie
Paul Hogan and William Lonergan, who were conferred with
honorary life membership at the AGM
MS Ireland was delighted to confer
honorary life membership on two of its
long-serving members — Paul Hogan
and William Lonergan. Honorary life
membership is bestowed on exceptional
members who have shown great
passion, enthusiasm and dedication in
the pursuit of the development of MS
Ireland. Both Paul and William have
served the society for more than 25
years and as current board members
will continue to give of their time and
wisdom.
Speaking of Paul Hogan, Chairman
Louise Wardell said:
“Paul, a modest man by nature, is of
the highest calibre. His mental
astuteness and cerebral capabilities are
well apparent to those who come in
contact with him. MS Ireland is lucky to
be able to call on his abilities and
indeed it has! Paul’s ability to see to the
heart of a problem has been a terrific
asset to the board and this clarity of
vision has no doubt been instrumental in
his being the one person who will notice
if some vital point needs to be covered.
Speaking of William Lonergan, she
said:“Perhaps the best-known member
and face of the society, William has
served long and well as head of the
ship. He championed the society for
more than 10 years, during which the
society saw a huge expansion of both
membership and services. It was under
William’s leadership that the society
became a limited liability company,
which was an enormous undertaking.”
Paul and William join Allen O’Connor
as honorary life members.
27
MS_I79_P29 FUNDRAISING
4/8/06
5:59 PM
Page 29
Fundraising
Boosting the bank balance
As usual, the efforts of MS Ireland members and supporters
around the country have been, literally, paying off
Tesco Ireland staff at 2006 Flora Women’s Mini Marathon
TESCO IRELAND CHARITY OF THE YEAR
The Tesco Charity of the Year campaign is well under way and
events are happening all over the country. From quizzes, nights
out and no-uniform days, the various branches are working hard
to help MS Ireland. So keep supporting your local store.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Put your small change into
the collection boxes at
every till.
• Support the many events
being organised by Tesco
staff throughout the year.
• Recycle your mobile phone
or ink jet cartridges or buy
a trolley disk in store.
• Make a donation by logging
on to www.ms-society.ie
or calling 1850 650950.
• Buy a box of Christmas
stars at customer services
desks from October.
• Take part in the national
bag pack in September.
Remember the money
will be spent locally on
computers, physiotherapy and
accessible mini-buses.
MINI-MARATHON
After a hectic few weeks of sign-ups and
swamped by an office full of red T-shirts
and sponsorship cards, I have to admit I
was somewhat excited when Monday, 5
June came around. Not as excited, I
imagine, as all the women who had been
busy training and collecting sponsorship.
They had trained hard and were now
looking forward to the big day. There were
www.ms-society.ie
WATER BABIES RAISE €14,000
FOR MS CARE CENTRE
The annual MS swim took place on 8 May in the Marian
Swimming Pool, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4. More than 30
people swam on the day with many more cheering from the
sidelines. All those taking part got a goody bag filled with
lots of items kindly donated by sponsors.
Thanks to all the sponsors, swimmers and supporters.
lots of red MS T-shirts on the day and
it was really great to see so many
fantastic women (and men!) out running
and walking to raise funds for the MS
Society.
I really would like to say a huge thank
you to all of this year’s MS team. The
money is still coming in and we hope to
exceed last year’s amount of €90,000.
Without your support this would just not
be possible and it really does make a
difference to those with MS, their families
and carers.
I would also like to thank Club Travel,
which donated our top fundraiser’s prize of
a €500 holiday voucher, and the
Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen, which gave
us a fabulous weekend away for our prize
draw for everyone who raised funds for
the MS Society.
Elle Caffrey, Fundraising Executive
29
MS_I79_P30-31DEBBIE MOHAN
4/8/06
6:02 PM
Page 30
Peru Challenge 2006
Debbie Mohan and
her daughter Leah
will take part in
the MS Society’s
Peru Challenge in
September
Up to the
e
g
n
e
l
l
cha
Debbie Mohan’s courage in taking on a major physical
challenge in South America despite her MS attracted the
makers of RTÉ’s Health Squad programme. Linda Daly reports
30
Helpline: 1850 233 233
MS_I79_P30-31DEBBIE MOHAN
4/8/06
6:04 PM
Page 31
Peru Challenge 2006
THE UPCOMING SERIES of RTÉ
One’s Health Squad is set to
feature a volunteer with a
difference. Debbie Mohan
will be getting some
expert advice from the
Health Squad team,
which will be televised
in late September/early
October on RTÉ 1, as
they help her train for a
very special event — the MS
Society’s Peru Challenge 2006.
Debbie has had MS for the past
seven years, which makes her story even
more interesting.
Filming with the Health Squad began
back in June, when the team spent two
days at Debbie’s home. Personal fitness
trainer with the show, Padraig Murphy,
provided Debbie with an exercise
programme. Nutritionist Paula Mee
changed her diet to include salmon twice
a week and more Omega threes and sixes
to increase her daily energy levels.
“I would have normally gone for cod or
sea bass because I thought I didn’t like
salmon but I actually love it,” says Debbie.
“I was also told to cut down on the
rubbish, which I’m finding a bit hard
because I’ve a sweet tooth, but I have
done it and I’m eating more fruit and
vegetables.”
The team revisited Debbie in July, but in
the meantime she met with holistic
practitioner Karen Ward. And the training
assistance for Debbie didn’t end there.
Padraig called her twice weekly and her
local gym gave her a year’s free
membership.
A month into the training, Debbie had to
take a break when holidays involving horse
riding and a hectic four-week schedule took
its toll. However, after a week or so her
energy levels rose again.
Debbie’s MS has seriously affected her
vision, so much so that she was registered
legally blind last year. Like many people
with MS, Debbie experienced optic neuritis
as a symptom of the condition. However,
her symptom is unusual in that instead of
suffering poor vision during relapses only,
www.ms-society.ie
‘It’s very important to
take the stigma away
from people with
disabilities’
her poor vision is permanent. People who
have optic neuritis and MS usually suffer
from loss of vision during relapse when
the myelin sheath comes away, but the
myelin tends to grow back again
afterwards. In Debbie’s case the myelin
sheath has not come back since 2001.
Another symptom of Debbie’s MS is
extreme fatigue, which makes the Peru
challenge even more demanding. This will
see Debbie trekking through some
stunning areas in Peru, across the foot of
the Andes and along the Inca trail.
“My brother said he was going to do the
walk,” she says. “It was a personal thing
for him and something he’s always wanted
to do. When he heard on the radio that he
could do the walk for MS, he was
delighted. Then I said I’d do it and later
my daughter, Leah, said she’d come.”
The three are in the process of raising
€14,250 for the MS Society. When MS
News caught up with Debbie, they had
raised €8,000 — with the help of some
very good friends.
“My best friend Sarah organised the
mini-marathon and got 27 women to run
in it. Nancy Stevenson and all my mother’s
neighbours organised a bring-and-buy or
‘once-loved goods’ sale. They advertised
everywhere and managed to
raise €1,300. Everyone’s
been so helpful, including
my sister Brenda, who
had a coffee day and
raised €700. As
always Mum and
Dad were highly
supportive of
everything I did.
Others helped
organise a race night
and my friends Clare and
Charlie organised a Seventies
night. The MS Society’s fundraising
team has also given me great support and
the Louth Branch has given me much
support over the years.”
Debbie originally decided to take part in
Health Squad to raise some extra funds,
but when she realised they wouldn’t be
airing the show until after the walk, she
felt it was still a good move.
“When I chatted to the producers and
director of Health Squad, I realised it
would be great for me to do it, to get that
training and have someone monitoring and
motivating me and also to highlight the
disability. There’s a lot of ignorance out
there and I know that before I had MS I
didn’t have a clue about it. I think it’s very
important to take the stigma away from
people with disabilities.”
Debbie is a prime example of how there
is life after a diagnosis of MS. While she
had to give up her job as an assistant
co-ordinator with a community project last
year, she doesn’t intend to be out of work
for long. She is starting a degree course in
social studies at Dundalk Institute of
Technology in September and hopes to
become a disability access officer,
believing that if she’s a good
communicator she won’t need her eyes.
“I thought I was going to lose my
identity when I gave up my job because I’d
always worked, but looking back it’s the
best thing I ever did,” she says. “A job’s a
job but your health is your wealth. The
Health Squad experience has been a very
positive one and it’s great that I have this
opportunity to do it.”
31
MS_I79_P32 IRENE BRIDLEY
4/8/06
6:07 PM
Page 32
Tributes
End of an era
From left: Irene Brindley (right) with
her sister Grace; Irene as a nurse in
Wolverhampton; and the garden she
created at her home in Dalkey
Irene Brindley will always be remembered for her passion and vision
in helping to found MS Ireland more than half a century ago
MORE THAN 50 years ago Irene Brindley,
Irwin Stewart and Dr Brian Pringle
identified a need for the provision of
services for people with MS. The outcome
of their concern was the founding of the
MS Society of Ireland in 1963. As a
founding member, Irene worked
indefatigably for the welfare of persons
with MS and watched as the society grew
in strength. Actively involved, she became
the prime mover of the south Dublin
branch, while continuing her involvement
with the national society.
The Brindley family name is well known
in Dublin through its association with
printing, publishing and retail stationery.
Irene’s parents lived in Rathmines and she
boarded at the Dominican Convent School
in Cabra.
Adulthood brought Irene to London. She
32
trained as a nurse in Wolverhampton and
while there enjoyed many nights at the
races with her brother Tom. Every year
during the month of September she
offered her nursing services on various
pilgrimages to Lourdes. Irene’s cheerful
personality was appreciated by all the
helpers and pilgrims alike.
While living in Shankill, sadness befell
the Brindleys as Irene’s father and mother
passed away in quick succession.
Irene, a keen gardener, designed and
planted a large and splendid garden at the
family home in Shankill. She also
embarked on a successful market
gardening enterprise there, with her
special plants much sought after. When
she subsequently moved to Foxrock and
Dalkey with her sister, Irene created more
memorable gardens.
Wood carving was another of her
abiding interests. She rarely returned from
country expeditions without pieces of
wood such as bog oak. She worked these
into artefacts with patient skill and a
successful exhibition of her work was held
at Fitzpatrick’s Hotel. The financial returns
from Irene’s business were used to further
the welfare work of the society.
When her health no longer permitted her
to live alone in Dalkey, Irene moved to
Newtownpark House Nursing Home in
Blackrock. Here, her great friend Maura
Lillis kept her in touch with MS affairs.
Irene had been awarded honorary life
membership of the society that she helped
to found — a distinction of which she was
justly proud.
Irene Brindley, honorary life member,
1910-2006. RIP.
Helpline: 1850 233 233
MS_I79_P33-38 BRANCH NEWS
4/8/06
6:09 PM
Page 33
Branch News
Golfing for good
THE FIFTH ANNUAL Golf Classic was held by the Kildare
Branch on Friday, 26 May at Naas Golf Club. More than 30
teams teed off in a shotgun start. The overall winners were:
Ger Farrelly (K Club); Mark Roden (K Club); Finbar Cahill
(Luttrellstown Castle); and John Mc Dermott (Carlow). After a
lovely meal, the winners were presented with their prizes.
Mark Flynn won the set of golf clubs in the raffle and the
excitement didn’t end there. The auction featured several
good lots, especially the week in Quinta de Lago, Portugal,
which included flights and villa accommodation. In total, more
than €20,000 was raised. The branch would like to thank all
who took part, especially the sponsors.
Kildare Branch Committee. From left:
Joe Crowley, Noeleen and Charlie
McCreevy and Dermot Fullam ready
for the off at the Kildare Branch Golf
Classic at Naas Golf Club on 26 May
Left: The committee of the Kildare
MS Society Golf Classic at Naas Golf
Club on 26 May. From left: Gerry
Prendergast; David Brophy; Phil
Kiely; Noel Farrelly; and Pat Barrett
Listowel Busking Day
LISTOWEL BUSKING DAY has become one of the Co Kerry town’s
favourite charity events of the year, a marriage of music and coin
collecting that always enjoys a huge response. This year was no
different — more than €6,000 was raised on the day with
collectors making sure that drivers and pedestrians gave
generously as they pulled through the small square where the
musicians were letting loose.
Mick McConnell, Jim Hannon, Joe Lynch, Noel Nash and friends
played for more than six hours on the natural stage that is the
small square in Listowel, getting a great reaction from passersby and encouraging donations until the day’s end.
All the money raised will go towards MS Ireland’s local
services, including physiotherapy sessions at the respite centre
in Dublin and days out for members.
The Kerry North branch would like to thank all the musicians
who always give so freely of their time.
www.ms-society.ie
Members of the Kerry North branch collect while the
musicians play to the crowd
33
MS_I79_P33-38 BRANCH NEWS
4/8/06
6:10 PM
Page 34
Branch News
Praying for Fermoy
MORE THAN 100 members of the Fermoy
branch went on the Cloyne diocesan
pilgrimage to Lourdes at the beginning of
June. Prayers and reflections based on the
decades of the rosary where the main
themes of the week. In the evenings there
were many get-togethers, evenings out
and sing-songs.
The Fermoy Annual Galtee Walk was
held on 18 June along an established
mountain trail in Mitchelstown. More than
250 members and friends of the branch,
Singing
for the
society
IT’S PROBABLY EVERY girl’s dream to
record a CD and have her songs played
all over the country. For 14-year-old
Heather Fogarty it is no longer a dream
but a reality. She recently recorded a
CD with all the proceeds going to the
Laois branch.
Entitled Memories, the CD contains
34
many of whom have MS themselves, took
part in the three-hour walk. Members were
treated to tea, coffee and sandwiches at
the cabin at the end of the trail. The
money is still coming in but it looks like
the figure of €13,000 raised last year will
be surpassed.
The Fermoy branch will hold its annual
mass for members on 12 October at the
Hazel Tree, Hazelwood, Mallow, Co Cork.
Singer Heather Fogarty,
right, with Chairman of
the Laois branch, Paul
Colbert and Treasurer,
Celine Dunne
five tracks including Carrickfergus and I
Could Have Danced All Night. Like
Charlotte Church in her younger years,
Heather is an operatic singer.
Paul Colbert, Chairman of the Laois
branch, said: “Heather’s two uncles
have MS so she would know how
difficult it can be sometimes. The
branch is delighted that we are
benefiting from the CD. Heather is a
very talented girl and I know that when
she is rich and famous she’ll still
remember us!”
Copies of the CD can be purchased in
local stores in Portlaoise or by
contacting the Laois branch directly.
Helpline: 1850 233 233
MS_I79_P33-38 BRANCH NEWS
4/8/06
6:14 PM
Page 36
Branch News
SOME 34 MEMBERS, comprising 13 people with MS along with their partners, carers and friends from the
north Wexford branch travelled to the Westport Woods Hotel, Co Mayo for the first branch holiday in many
years from 11 to 18 June. The journey was long and tiring but well worth while.
Into the
West
We were greeted warmly by the
management on arrival and shown
to our rooms, which were very
comfortable and convenient, close
to the reception, dining and
entertainment areas. Management
and staff went out of their way to
facilitate us in any way they could.
They even purchased a new wheelin shower chair to facilitate us,
which will be a huge asset for any
disabled person staying in the hotel.
The food was excellent with
plenty of choice and entertainment
was provided each night. The
hospitality manager, Finola,
organised table quizzes and bingo
sessions on alternate nights in the
foyer between dinner and the
evening entertainment, with lots of
prizes for the winners. The
atmosphere in the hotel was very
relaxed throughout.
Day trips were organised, for
those interested, to Foxford Woollen
Mills, Knock, Achill and Turlough
House National Heritage Museum, all
of which were wheelchair friendly.
The staff at each venue were
most courteous and helpful. We
completed a wonderful week with a
sing-song in one of the large
bedrooms on the Saturday night.
We would highly recommend the
36
hotel to any group or individual
thinking of taking a holiday in the
West. The hotel is completely
wheelchair friendly.
We would like to most sincerely
thank Maureen Freeney of the
south Mayo branch for all her help
in securing a hoist, slings and
commode and having these items
delivered to the hotel and
collected free of charge. We would
also like to thank the south Mayo
branch for inviting three of us to sit
in on its branch meeting, which was
very friendly and informative.
The holiday would not have been
possible without the efforts of the
Carnew Heritage Group, which
organised a very successful
Heritage Day on our behalf last
year. That meant we were able to
provide the holiday free of charge
to any person with MS in our branch
and their partner or carer. For that
we thank them most sincerely.
Members of the north Wexford
branch enjoy the scenery at
Achill Island during their
holiday in the West
Kevin Doyle, Chairman, North
Wexford Branch
Helpline: 1850 233 233
MS_I79_P33-38 BRANCH NEWS
4/8/06
6:14 PM
Page 37
Branch News
On your
e
k
i
b
THE SECOND ANNUAL Malin to Mizen
Charity Bike Ride took place on Saturday,
13 May, raising money for the Cork City
branch. Nearly 100 members of the local
gardaí and BMW Club took to the roads
and traveled the 663km from the bottom
to the top of Ireland. The money is still
coming in but at the last count more than
€42,000 had been raised.
The event was run by gardaí Liam
Quinlan, Paul Hooley and Sgt John Freely of
the traffic corps from Anglesea and Bishop’s
St stations. As members of the local BMW
Club, the gents decided to run a fundraiser
to help the local branch of MS Ireland. The
idea was the brainchild of Liam and John as
they knew Paul’s wife has MS and is
involved in the local branch.
All the planning, meetings and
sponsorship paid off as 30 riders started
out at 4.30am from Mizen Head, south
Cork. The group stopped off at the Clarion
Hotel for breakfast organised by the
branch. Some 70 more riders joined the
group for the long ride ahead. They were
accompanied by a back-up van, full of
equipment and supplies, should anything
be needed. A mini-bus was also on the trip
so that some of the riders could rest from
time to time. Paul and another garda,
Dennis Daly, acted as outriders, providing
www.ms-society.ie
Looking bright and breezy for 6am, members of the Cork City Branch and the
back-up crew prepare to start the journey
a clear garda presence throughout the trip.
The group took breaks in Limerick and
Sligo and enjoyed good weather and
beautiful scenery along the way. All 100
riders and crew arrived safely at Malin
Head at 5.30pm. A stretch of the legs,
some good food and a good night’s sleep
enabled everyone to do the trip all over
again on Sunday, this time homeward
bound!
Speaking about the day, organiser Paul
Hooley commented: “An unbelievable
amount was raised for the local branch
and I can only say a big thank you to
Liam, John and all the riders for hopping
on their bikes and taking part. There are
too many other people to mention but
needless to say, thanks to all the
sponsors, those who helped out on the
day, the hotels and anyone who supported
us along the way. I’ve been involved with
the Cork branch myself and I know they’ll
put the money to very good use.”
The presentation of the cheque took
place in garda headquarters on Thursday,
29 June. A night out followed in the
Market Bar, which was attended by bikers
and members and friends of the Cork
branch.
The Cork branch wishes to most
sincerely thank everyone who took part,
especially Paul, Liam and John, without
whom the event would never have taken
place.
37
MS_I79_P33-38 BRANCH NEWS
4/8/06
6:16 PM
Page 38
Branch News
A Limerick get-together
THE LIMERICK BRANCH held a
get-together for its members
on 27 June in Pa Mc Grath
Bar, Boher, Co Limerick. A
great evening was had by all.
It gave members an
opportunity to meet up for a
chat. Some had not seen each
other since the Christmas
dinner or the branch AGM in
March.
Many of the usual self-help
goers were up to their usual
antics! The mid-west regional
office ladies Gretta, Angela,
Carol and Mary were also
there. The committee was
delighted with the success of
the evening and is looking
forward to having another
get-together soon.
Above, from left: Irene Barry;
Mary Nash; Sr Regina Dempsey;
and Sr Josephine Dempsey
Right: John O’Connor and
Christine Murphy enjoy refreshments at the bar
Spouses/partners support group
AT A SEMINAR about newly
diagnosed MS cases in the
Mid-West, Carol Phelan,
whose husband has MS,
spoke to attendees regarding
the setting up of a support
group for spouses/partners of
people with MS in Limerick.
On 14 June, Carol got the
group off the ground with the
help of two other women
whose husbands have MS. The
group has now grown to six
people, four women and two
men, and is looking for more
to join.
38
The format of the support
group meeting will be an
informal get-together for a
cuppa and a chat. It will
provide an opportunity to
share experiences and will
also form a network of
support for members.
The first get-together will
take place on Monday, 25
September at 8pm in the
Woodfield House Hotel, Ennis
Road, Limerick. If you are a
spouse or partner or are living
with someone with MS, please
call Carol on 087 8171814.
Carol Phelan (left) with Marie McLoughlin and Eva
O’Dwyer, who helped her get the support group for
spouses/partners off the ground
Helpline: 1850 233 233
MS_I79_P39 PRODUCT REVIEW
4/8/06
6:17 PM
Page 1
Product Profile
Oozing innovation
Frustration at not being able to squeeze
toothpaste led one man to design a new
product. Taragh Donohoe reports
DAVID LYNCH WAS becoming frustrated
when his acquired disability rendered him
unable to do some ordinary household
chores. A DIY enthusiast, he found it
difficult to manage tubes of polyfilla and
wood glue. Not a man to give up on a
problem, David set about finding his own
solution.
“I was in a serious accident some years
ago and it left me with little power in the
left side of my body,” he says. “As a result
my grip was very loose and I lost most of
the sensation in three fingers. I found it
very difficult to do odd jobs around the
house or even simple things like
squeezing the contents out of the
toothpaste tube. I’d had enough of
throwing out half-used tubes so I settled
myself in the garage for a few days and
solved my dilemma.”
With a piece of timber and a sharp
scalpel David fashioned a handheld wand
with a slit in the middle. After
modifications and trials he perfected the
wand and thus invented the Gangan’s tube
dispenser. David patented his design and
went about getting it made professionally.
The dispenser, as it stands today, is made
from moulded plastic, which is durable,
easy to clean and very safe. It also has the
added feature of a lip on the end, useful
for removing lids of biscuit tins and other
containers.
MS Ireland gave the product to Eamon
Ryan to test. Eamon has MS and has little
power in both hands. He used the product
over a few days and found it very useful.
“I found it easy to use and it didn’t take
much effort.”
The Gangan’s tube dispenser is available
directly from David Lynch, t: 087 4185583.
It costs €14.99.
MS_I79_P40 Resource review
4/8/06
6:30 PM
Page 1
Resource Review
Website review
Book review
The Healing Code by
Dermot O’Connor
Review by Karen McDonald
www.oasis.gov.ie
Oasis (Online Access to
Services, Information and
Support) is an Irish
eGovernment website
developed by Comhairle
that provides citizens’
information online.
It offers information on
the social and civil rights
of people in Ireland and
provides information they
may need at various
stages in their lives.
Citizens’ information is
also provided by the
Citizens Information
Phone Service on Lo-Call
1890 777121 and the
Citizens Information
Centre in your locality.
The range of
information on the
website is vast and
covers such areas as
finance, education,
housing, employment,
transport, culture and
recreation. The website is
of most benefit to people
with MS as it details
40
various benefits and
supports available. It
explains different areas
of the health services
and how to access
them.
It also has a whole
section dedicated to
people with disabilities
and another that details
all the grants, tax breaks
and benefit schemes
available from the
Government.
The information on the
site is completely up to
date and all the facts and
figures are reliable. The
site is very user-friendly
and many of the sections
are explained under the
rules, rates, how to apply
and where to apply
sections.
Information is given in
a clear, understandable
manner and contact
details for more
information are always
given.
I’m always interested in
reading about
complementary
therapies and all things
‘alternative’. I’ve had
MS for six years and as
well as traditional
medication I receive
complementary
therapies regularly.
I thoroughly enjoyed
Dermot’s book, which
offers great practical
advice on common
themes in MS. The
nutrition section is great
and it would be very
easy to adopt some of
the suggestions. The
chapter on the
psychology of health
recovery was very
thought-provoking as it
explored the brain’s
reaction to illness or
bad experiences.
As with many plans
outlined in books,
however, it can be very
hard to stick to.
Re-programming our
brains and bodies can
be difficult and I don’t
know if it can be
achieved through
reading a book. Maybe
it’s my lack of will
power, but I don’t know
if I’d be able to stick to
the plan. Recovery, or
lack thereof, is different
for everyone no matter
what the intervention
may be.
There are people out
there who will hate this
book, thinking that
drugs alone will
alleviate symptoms. On
the other hand, there
are people who will love
the book as they see no
place for drugs. I feel
there is a place for both
in many people’s lives.
It is interesting and
encouraging to note that
Dermot does not see his
plan as an alternative to
western medicine, but
as a complementary
therapy.
Helpline: 1850 233 233
MS_I79_P41
MSI 4/8/06 6:1928/07/2006
PM Page14:08:46
1
MS_Living_A4_AD2_path.eps
NOT TO BE MISSED!
ONE VENUE, ONE DAY
Multiple Sclerosis information
latest developments and exchange
Saturday 05 May 2007
RDS, Dublin 4
MS Living is set to be the largest get together of people affected by MS ever held
in Ireland. The day will cover every aspect of MS through exhibitions, talks and debate.
It will be an exciting day of information and conversation.
EXHIBITION SPACE
Over 50 exhibitors will provide information on a whole range of products and services.
MS Ireland, state agencies, mobility companies, therapists and other service providers
will be on hand to answer your questions.
LECTURES
World renowned Neurologists will present information on the latest developments in
MS while our Big Debate offers professionals and members of the audience an opportunity
to discuss their opinions on MS and related issues.
GALA DINNER
A spectacular Gala Dinner will be held in
a nearby hotel. The perfect way to end
the day.
As the Convention is on a bank Holiday weekend
we suggest booking your accommodation early.
Following are 6 Hotels/Guest Houses around the RDS.
1 MESPIL HOTEL – 01 488 4600
Mespil Road, Dublin 4. From €99 per room
2 HERBERT PARK HOTEL – 01 667 220
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. From €75 per person per night
3 JURYS BALLSBRIDGE HOTEL – 01 660 5000
Pembroke Road, Dublin 4. From €120 per room
4 LANSDOWNE HOTEL – 01 668 2522
27/29 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
From €70 per room
5 BAGGOT COURT TOWNHOUSE – 01 661 2819
92 Lower Baggott St, Dublin 2. From €100 per room
6 ARIEL HOUSE – 01 668 5512
50-54 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4.
From €99 per room
For a list of other hotels please call 1850 650 950
Further details will be made available later in year.