Dia  dhaoibh!    Hello  there!  

Many  of  you  will  recognize  the  photograph  above  as  being  of  the  sculpture  of  Manannán  mac  Lir,  the  Irish  mythical  character,  on  The  Mall  in  Castlebar.    I  took  this  photo  on  Christmas  Eve,  2011,  at  the  beginning  of  the  coldest  winter  in  Ireland  for  some  fifty  years.  

What  struck  me  about  it  was  the  sense  of  struggle  and  commitment  –  the  determination  of  the  human  figure  to  go  forward.  

I  do  not  have  MS  but  my  wife  does.    In  her,  I  see  the  struggle  to  cope  with  the  most  debilitating  of  diseases.    

Every  day.    And  I  see  the  same  struggle  in  those  I  know  who  have  MS  and,  also,  the  same  grit  and  the  same  determination.  

We  in  the  South  Mayo  Branch  of  MS  Ireland  also  know  that  you  cannot  do  it  alone.    You  need  support  and  assistance.    That  is  what  the  MS  Society  aims  to  provide,  both  nationally  and  locally.  

We  are  committed  to  working  to  improve  the  lives  of  those  who  live  with  MS  in  our  area  in  every  way  that  we  can.  

Our  fund-­‐raising  enables  the  local  Branch  to  provide  assistance  directly  to  those  

with  MS  throughout  the  South  Mayo  area  –  much  of  it  on  a  confidential  basis.  

We  will  continue  to  do  this.  

We  in  the  Branch  Committee  are  also  committed  to  continuing  to  keep  you  informed  of  what  is  happening  in  our  area.  

We  also  want  to  hear  from  you  –  if  there  is  news,  gossip,  or  other  information  you  want  to  share,  do  let  us  know.    Contact  information  for  our  Committee  members  is  on  Page  4.  

Tony  Candon  –  PRO  

MS SOUTH MAYO BRANCH

NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 40 SPRING 2013

Welcome to the new-look newsletter of the South Mayo Branch of MS Ireland

MS Ireland Mission:

To enable and empower people affected by Multiple

Sclerosis to live the life of their choice to their fullest potential

M Mo Shaol Spring 2013

The Missing Spark

The  Missing  Spark  was  an  exhibition  of  paintings  by  fourth  year  Art  &  Design  students  from  GMIT  Castlebar,  co-­‐ordinated  by  Seamus  Burke,  an  MS  sufferer.    

 The  exhibition  took  place  in  the  Linenhall  Arts  Centre,  Castlebar  from  the  7th  -­‐  23rd  February  2013.  

The  purpose  of  the  exhibition  was  to  raise  funds  for  the  local  branch  of  MS  Ireland,  and  €1,015  was  raised  through  the  sale  of  paintings.    Our  thanks  to  Seamus  and  the  artists  who  took  part.  

 World  MS  Day,  29  May    

To  mark  World  MS  Day,  Seamus  will  host  an  art  workshop  for  members  of  the  South  Mayo  Branch.    Details  of  the  arrangements  for  this  are  still  being  worked  out.    We’ll  let  you  know  when  we  have  them.  

West Of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon

We urgently need your help to raise funds for the South

Mayo Branch Of The Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Sunday 5th May, 2013 At 12 noon

Castlebar, Co. Mayo

If you are thinking of taking part in the West Of If you are thinking of taking part in the West Of If you are thinking of taking part in the West Of If you are thinking of taking part in the West Of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon why not walk/run Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon why not walk/run Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon why not walk/run Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon why not walk/run

for MS. Contact Yvonne Corrigan on for MS. Contact Yvonne Corrigan on for MS. Contact Yvonne Corrigan on for MS. Contact Yvonne Corrigan on (087) 2830652 for further details,(087) 2830652 for further details,(087) 2830652 for further details,(087) 2830652 for further details,

T Shirt, Sponsorship Card, etc. T Shirt, Sponsorship Card, etc. T Shirt, Sponsorship Card, etc. T Shirt, Sponsorship Card, etc.

Annual Church Gate Collection

The  Annual  Church  Gate  Collection  for  the  South  Mayo  Branch   of   MS   Ireland   took   place   on   Saturday   and  Sunday,   9th   and   10th   March.     You   will   probably  remember  the  severe  cold  of  that  weekend!    A  total  of  €17,461.67  was  collected  outside  churches   throughout  the  south  Mayo  area.    This  money  will  go  to  supporting  the  work  of   the   local  branch  of   the  Society   in  our  own  area.   It   constitutes   about   40%   of   the   Branch’s  expenditure  in  2013.  

Our   heartfelt   thanks   go   to   all   those   who   contributed,  and  also  to  those  who  braved  the  bitterly  cold  wind  to  participate  in  the  collection.  

Entries  Close  on  Friday  26  April  

3

South  Mayo  Branch  Art  Workshop  

To  mark  World  MS  Day,  Seamus  Burke  will  host  an  art  workshop  for  members  of  the  South  Mayo  Branch.    Details  of  the  arrangements  for  this  are  still  being  worked  out.    We’ll  let  you  know  when  we  have  them.  

Public  Information  Meeting  

A  public  information  meeting  on  MS  will  be  held  on  Tuesday  28  May  at  7:30  p.m.  in  the  Westwood  House  Hotel  in  Galway.    Speakers  include  Dr.  John  Lynch,  Neurologist  UHG,  Dr.  Una  Fitzgerald,  MS  research  scientist  NUIG,  and  Ronan  Scully,  a  motivational  speaker.    

Race  Night  Friday  24  May  

The  MS  Society  Regional  Office  will  host  a  Race  Night  in  the  Menlo  Park  Hotel,  Headford  Road,  Galway  starting  at  8  p.m.  All  proceeds  go  to  supplement  the  Community  Employment  materials  Grant  which  was  reduced  significantly  in  the  last  Budget.  This  money  is  used  to  reimburse  CE  participants  for  the  petrol  they  use  while  travelling.    

Annual General Meeting The  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  South  Mayo  Branch  took  place  in  Hotel  Westport  on  Sunday  24th  February,  2013.  It  was  attended  by  10  members  of  the  South  Mayo  Branch  and  by  Mr.   Joe  Cahill,  Board  Member  of  MS  Ireland.  In  addition  the  standard  items  that  were   dealt   with   at   the   AGM,   discussion   took   place   on   recent  changes   apparently   being   made   to   the   role   of   the   Branch’s  Representative  To  National  Council.    The  Committee  are  currently  drafting  a  submission  on  behalf  of  the  South  Mayo  Branch  which  will   be   forwarded   to   MS   Ireland   via   the   newly   formed  Western  Regional   Forum.   Members   of   the   newly   elected   Committee  attended  a  Regional  Training  Day  in  Claremorris  on  Saturday,  13th  April  2013.  

With over 20 years of experience in the motor-trade, our team are experts in the purchase of wheelchair accessible vehicles, and we're available to provide advice to disabled drivers on the purchase of new

and second-hand vehicles for adaptation to suit their needs.

Abbey Street, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo Tel: 094 - 954 2652

Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Co Galway Tel: 091 483 809

E: sales@freedommobility.net www.freedommobility.ie

Hire/Leasing ofO Wheelchair Accessible VehiclesO��Automatic carsO��Dual control cars

PeugeotPeugeot Expert

Nissan NV200

Renault Kangoo

SELECTION OF QUALITY PRE-OWNED WHEELCHAIR ACCESIBLE VEHICLES IN STOCK TRADE-INS WELCOME.

We do New and Used Wheelchair Cars!

Citroen Berlingo / Peugeot Partner VW Caddy

SPECIALIST COMPANY FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

At Freedom Mobility, we provide both new and used wheelchair accessible vehicles for sale, lease or hire. We also provide a vehicle adaptation service for your

existing car if required.

28176_Freedom mobility A4.indd 1 05/03/2013 10:21

Advertisement

Mo Shaol Spring 2013

Regional Forum In   the   last   year   or   so,   a   Regional   Forum   has   been   established   in   the  Western  Region  to  help  make  MS  Ireland  a  more  integrated  society  and  to  help  improve  the  delivery  of  services  to  MS  sufferers.    Similar  Regional  Forums  have  been  established  in  other  parts  of  Ireland.  

The   Forum   brings   together   committee   members   from   branches   in   the  Western  Region.    These  are  South  Mayo,  North  Mayo,  Roscommon,  Tuam  and   Galway.     Regional   meetings   take   place   four   times   a   year   in  Claremorris.     The   spring   meeting   is   devoted   to   training   for   Branch  Officers.  

Other  matters   that   have  been   discussed   include   budgetary  planning   for  2013  for  the  Region,  Welfare  Guidelines  that  were   introduced  on  1   January  2013,  Young  Persons  Group,  the  role  of  the  National  Representative  Council  and  branch  representation  on  the  Council,  and  proposed  changes  to  membership  of  the  Society.    

NAME   ADDRESS   PHONE  NO  &  E-­‐MAIL  ADDRESS   POSITION(S)  Duncan  Pratt   Branraduff  

Ballindine  094-­‐9364875  carolmillingtonpratt@gmail.com  

Chair  Chair,  Welfare  Committee  Rep  To  National  Council  

Yvonne  Corrigan   Derrymore  Partry  

087-­‐2830652  jycorrigan@eircom.net  

Secretary  Vice  Chair  

Carol  Millington  Pratt   Branraduff  Ballindine  

094-­‐9364875  carolmillingtonpratt@gmail.com  

Assistant  Secretary  

Damien  Barrett   Dooleague  Islandeady,  Castlebar  

087-­‐7676348  dbarrett@mayococo.ie  

Treasurer  Welfare  Committee  Member  

Sharon  Dillon   118  Knockaphunta  Castlebar  

087-­‐6827036  sfeeney_2000@yahoo.co.uk  

Vice  Treasurer  Welfare  Committee  Member  

Tony  Candon   Baloor  Castlebar  

087-­‐2685071  tony.candon@btinternet.com  

PRO  Deputy  Rep  to  National  Council  

Liam  Cannon   Cloonferth  Ballyheane  Castlebar  

094-­‐9024429    

Fundraiser  Welfare  Committee  Member  

Caroline  O’Hora   37  Moyview  Foxford  

094-­‐9057767  087-­‐6109181  

Fundraiser  

Mary  O’Malley   Kilfaul  Partry  

086-­‐1655728  marypomalley@gmail.com  

Fundraiser  Welfare  Committee  Member  

 

Committee Members – South Mayo Branch, MS Ireland, 2013

Regional  Community  Worker:  Mags  Ryan,  Mosaic  Centre,  Castlebar.  Tel:  (094)  9063  200  Mob:  (087)  2502  031