Lauren O'Callaghan

Support my challenge to leave MS behind!

This year I'm proud to say that I am taking part in The May 50K to support MS Ireland. My main goal is to get moving again, taking back control of my fitness which took a huge hit after I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in December 2020.

Last year I watched in awe as Cathal took on the May 50K challenge himself, where he ran an incredible 101K and absolutely smashed his target raising €2,021 (his initial target was €200). Each time Cathal went out for a run he ran for me and when he thought he couldn't go any further, he pushed through and broke all limits that he set himself. Our close family, friends, extended family and friends of friends reached out and supported Cathal and I as we adjusted to my new and life changing diagnosis. It was so heartwarming and we are so grateful for the messages of support from everyone, to be honest I think the love from everyone got me though those months in April, May and June last year.

I couldn't have imagined this time last year that I would be in a position to take on the challenge myself. In April 2021 I had just been discharged from hospital after suffering a relapse and being told that my MRI showed a lot of new lesions on my brain. This hit me like a ton of bricks, having just been officially diagnosed 4 months earlier I feared the worst - that this was simply going to be my life now... MRIs hospital stays, IV steroids, more lesions more medication.

The relapse in April 2021 was visible, the left side of my face was drooping, almost like a stroke, something which all those around me could easily see. But the reality is that (along with many other chronic illnesses), the majority of MS symptoms are invisible. Every day I have double-vision, something which I have learned to adjust to. Fatigue is debilitating, interfering with the simple daily tasks that I took for granted before my diagnosis. Dizziness strikes when I'm tired or have been too busy.  Altered sensations or tingling is another symptom which I have daily, a feeling that the soles of my feet are burning or a particular spot on my right arm which feels like it is sunburnt. These things are small but a constant reminder of the chronic illness that I have, a little whisper to remind me that I have MS and that it is not something that is going to go away.

I'm still adjusting to my new limits, sometimes it is one step forwards, two steps back. But a positive mindset and focusing on my inner strength has gotten me to where I am today. I don't know what challenges I will face in the future with my MS but thankfully I can say that I am now one whole year relapse free, and now I want to make that 2 years!

So today, Cathal and I started a warm up for our May 50k challenge. We left the house with the goal of walking/jogging as much as I could manage, no targets or goals, just whatever I felt comfortable with. When we got home and realised that we had managed to go over 5k I was so proud of myself. I keep a good level of fitness but to be honest didn't think I would manage that.

Today has given me the confidence to push on now. I'll do the May 50K, whether that is walking, jogging or running, I'll be taking back control of my fitness and leaving my limits behind. Along with Cathal, my mam (one of my biggest supporters), my uncle Barry (my brother when I was growing up!) and my grandad (we've forced him into this one) will be joining us. As Cathal said in his previous post, we'd love if anyone else would like to join our team! Any support or donations, big or small, is so very much appreciated. The world is a better place when we all come together and give each other a helping hand. Thanks everyone for reading and I'll keep you updated on our progress! 

I’m taking part in The May 50K. I will be taking on 50km throughout May and leaving my limits behind to raise funds for life-changing research into multiple sclerosis, better access to treatments and to support people living with MS in Ireland!

There are over 9,000 people in Ireland living with multiple sclerosis. At the MS International Federation and MS Ireland, it’s our mission to leave MS where it belongs, behind us.

You can now support this work in Ireland and around the world, so I’ve accepted The May 50K challenge to change lives.

Please make a donation to support my challenge.

Thank you so much!