Brave lady from Limerick, Kelly Ryan has given herself a very difficult task for the month of May.
This Limerick female is spearheading the MS Ireland 50K challenge in May after receiving a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in November of last year. The worldwide endeavor aims to generate funds for MS research, support, advocacy, and services at the national and regional levels. Throughout the month of May, participants are invited to complete the 50K in whatever manner they can, including walking, running, or rolling. Since it’s an online event, anyone may participate—individuals, families, or groups—anywhere.
Speaking to the Limerick Leader, Kelly who is from Ballyneety said “I wanted to raise awareness for MS. I realised not many people know or understand what MS is and how prevalent it is in Ireland. I myself was one of those people until a friend of mine educated me a little, not long before my own diagnosis. I also wanted to feel a sense of community in a way to help me accept my diagnosis”.
Receiving an MS diagnosis may be overwhelming and transformative, and Kelly noted that there were difficulties involved in learning what was going on. “I was officially diagnosed in November 2023, after two and a half years of not knowing what was going on with my body,” the 27-year-old said to the Limerick Leader.
The individual articulated her symptoms as follows: “I had blurred vision in one eye, fatigue, weakness, and what felt like, and still feels like, electric shocks going through my brain. These symptoms started after the Covid vaccine.”I recall being both incredibly overwhelmed and relieved to finally have an answer when I was given the diagnosis.
“It was a range of emotions in such a short space of time, but it felt like I had been sitting in the neurologist’s office for hours. It’s still a range of emotions on a daily basis but understanding that grief plays a big role after getting a diagnosis like, this helps a lot.”
There’s a lot to process when dealing with a diagnosis like this, she continued.
