World MS Day 2021 hopes to highlight the challenges facing those living with Multiple Sclerosis, with one Clare woman stressing her own difficulties in returning to physical activity outdoors.
This year, a total of 9,000 individuals living with the chronic neurological condition in Ireland will be looking to return to regular essential activity outdoors, with physical distancing in confined spaces a serious challenge that many are facing.

Retired nurse Margaret Lohan Gunning acknowledged the impact that MS has on one’s life, forcing them to rethink their life goals and expectations. Diagnosed with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) after moving to Ennis in 1995, the former New York City nurse knew the signs and symptoms before they began to have an effect on her daily life but asserted that an early diagnosis is essential in preventing exacerbations and slowing down the condition.

“During COVID, I didn’t go out that much. If you had assisted devices during the pandemic, you had to keep your hands clean. But you also had to keep the stick clean and the rollator also. That was an added challenge. It’s very important for people with MS to have physical activity. My physical activity in the past consisted of short walks outside, face to face physiotherapy or yoga also. That was certainly all gone,” the Galway native stated.

This year’s theme for World MS Day, celebrated on Sunday May 30, explores connections and the challenging of social stigma barriers by promoting a sense of community to transcend social isolation and feelings of loneliness. Margaret championed the work of local MS services and community members in Clare over the lockdown, where networking and chat groups facilitated online yoga, meditation and physiotherapy programmes. “Some did not have the required technology within the MS community and have missed out on this valuable time,” she conceded.

Receiving her first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the West County Hotel in early May was a point of pride for Margaret. Despite this positive, she is slightly dismayed at the three month wait required for her second dose and like many with SPMS, a relapsing-remitting phase of the disease where individuals are not deemed in a “vulnerable category”, is still scared of contracting the virus while out pursuing her daily exercise.

“World MS highlights the condition and the limitations we have. If they see us walking with a stick, that they would help and stay out of our way. I’ve been pushing for some time now for a safe walk to be put up in Lees Road in Ennis for people with rollators or sticks. If there are runners, cyclers or walkers up there, you get really nervous. Even if there was a 100-yard space where you could walk up and down, undistracted. That is something I would like to see,” she concluded.

Related News

shannon group clare crusaders little blue heroes 1-2
Clare Crusaders & Little Blue Heroes chosen as Shannon Airport Group's charity partners for 2025
jim enright 1-2
Scór long-service award for Cratloe's Jim Enright
st brendan's road lisdoonvarna 1
Corofin developers lodge plans for 60 houses in Lisdoonvarna
ambulance 1
Clare 'always suffering on health front' - Cllrs seek Dáil committee to examine emergency response times

Advertisement

Latest News
jim enright 1-2
Scór long-service award for Cratloe's Jim Enright
Lunch Time Lifestyle with the Clare Echo Contributers (19)
Regnum Carya Golf Resort
492300430_1265350338926478_8538017681006863111_n
Ennis RFC 'bursting with pride' as Aoife Corey makes Ireland debut in 6 Nations
st brendan's road lisdoonvarna 1
Corofin developers lodge plans for 60 houses in Lisdoonvarna
grease ennistymon choral society 2
Grease is the word in Ennistymon
Premium
clare v limerick minor 25-04-25 evan crimmins 2
Clare minors lower Limerick to set up do or die tie with Waterford
ambulance 1
Clare 'always suffering on health front' - Cllrs seek Dáil committee to examine emergency response times
clare v waterford 19-05-24 ken ralph 2
'Clare were disrespected in commentary before start of championship' - Ralph
clare v tipperary 19-04-25 peter keane 2
'We're opening doors' - Keane praises Clare for kicking on but stresses goal chances must be taken
liscannor 23-04-25 footpath 6
'Embarrassing' state of footpaths, kerbs & parking slammed in Liscannor

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement