Remarks on a visit to MS Ireland Wexford South Branch In Celebration of World MS Day 2012
Wexford, 12th May 2012
Dia dhaoibh go léir inniu. Tá an-áthas orm bheith anseo libh ar an ócáid speisialta seo. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil libh as an gcuireadh agus as an bhfáilte chneasta a thug sibh dom.
As patron of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Ireland, I am delighted to be here with you today to participate in World MS Day, with the Wexford South Branch of
MS Ireland. I would like to thank Ms. Rita Donovan, Chairperson of the
Wexford South Branch and Ms. Katie Hourigan, the Regional Co-ordinator, for their very kind invitation.
It is encouraging to know that this is just one event of many such events, including coffee mornings and information seminars, organised by MS Ireland throughout the month of May, as part of the global World MS Day, which will be celebrated on 30th May. Every year, the international MS movement comes together to provide the public with information about MS and how it affects the lives of more than two million people around the world.
World MS Day was launched in 2009 in 67 countries. 2012 will see activities taking place in over 70 countries worldwide. The theme chosen by MS Ireland “8,000 Faces, let’s face it together” captures so well the reality that there is an individual person, their family and friends at the heart of every diagnosis of MS, while also reflecting the strength that comes from community and working together.
Those living with MS are keenly aware of the impact of their disability on their quality of life. How vital it is then, that an organisation such as MS Ireland is there to provide an essential range of services to support the person affected to live as full a life as possible, as independently as possible and to empower that person to live with hope for the future.
Celebrating your 50th Anniversary last year, your organisation has grown from modest beginnings to become an invaluable resource to people affected by MS, with your level of expertise in the areas of research, practical assistance, rehabilitation, advocacy and a voluntary network of over 40 branches nationwide.
Operating at both a local and national level, your can-do ethos has contributed to the development of a dynamic organisation which has facilitated much progress in the understanding of the condition amongst individuals affected by MS, their families, carers and health professionals.
Chuir d’ éiteas dearfach ar leibhéal áitiúil agus leibhéal náisiúnta go mór le forbairt eagraíocht iontach a chabhraíonn go mór le dul chun cinn agus tuiscint ar an tinneas i measc daoine le MS (Scléaróis Iolrach), a gclanna, na cúramóirí agus na daoine a oibríonn sa tseirbhís sláinte.
Today, MS Ireland can be found providing a confidential help line, information services, group support in the areas of health promotion and coping strategies; caring and personal development, right through to respite and rehabilitation services and on to involvement with research leading to the development of improved drug therapies.
I was delighted to meet with staff and users of the physical activity service and to be shown around the facility. This type of practical intervention in the lives of people with MS is an example of the specialist supports provided by branches of MS Ireland nationwide.
I understand that existence of the gym and physiotherapy programme owes no small debt to efforts of a group of people living with MS who live locally and who, despite their diagnosis of MS, were determined to take a positive approach and live healthy and enjoyable lives. Along with some volunteers, they have created a very special dynamic at work here in the Wexford South Branch. I know that the Wexford South Branch wants to acknowledge the particular contributions of Bernie Kent and Heidi Bramley to this initiative.
The on-going work of MS Ireland honours the memory of the late Dr. Brian Pringle, who called an open meeting which led to the establishment of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland back in 1961. Dr. Pringle went on to be a key figure in the formation of the International Federation of MS Societies.
MS Ireland has remained true to Dr. Pringle’s commitment to raise awareness of the consequences for those living with MS.
A mark of an inclusive society is one where there is a constant striving, a collective effort, to remove barriers to participation in that society. The work of organisations such as MS Ireland and numerous other voluntary bodies, who speak from a rights-based perspective, with and on behalf of people with disabilities has been critical to bringing about the policy, legislative and societal changes that we have witnessed in the past years. Your work and the work of other advocates enlighten us as to the barriers we place throughout society, which limit the extent to which a person with a disability can flourish.
Much of this work is undertaken voluntarily by people from all corners of this country who give of their time, experience, expertise and money which enables us to become a more inclusive nation. It is heartening and a privilege to witness that in these austere and difficult times, there is a huge generosity of spirit still alive and well in the Irish people.
Déantar an obair seo ar bhonn deonach ag daoine ar fud na tíre atá flaithiúil lena gcuid ama, a taithí, a saineolas agus a gcuid airgid – rud a chuireann go mór le tír atá níos cuimsithí. Is mór an onóir agus an phribhléid dom a fheiceáil go bhfuil flaithiúlacht mhór fós beo agus bríomhar i measc muintir na hÉireann fiú sa ré dúshlánach seo.
Another factor in the change in attitude has been our framework of progressive equality legislation, including the Equal Status Act and the Employment Equality Acts which prohibits discrimination on nine specified grounds. However, we still have further to go in this regard. The Equality Authority continues to document unacceptable levels of discrimination.
As a result of the work of the National Disability Authority which regularly monitors the attitudes to people with disabilities, we know that there are still negative attitudes to those who may require additional supports to participate in all aspects of society and that, likely due to our difficult economic times, and fears about resources these attitudes have been hardening over the recession. We must work together to combat these negative attitudes, to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities and to challenge any segregation or exclusion when we see it.
While people with disabilities may have particular health based needs of specialist disability services, to a large extent and to the extent that unites all of us human beings, their needs are the same as the rest of humanity. We all need to have meaningful mutually supportive relationships, the opportunities to learn, the chance to contribute to society through employment and to engage with our local communities.
As a society which cares, we have to ensure that we extend the same respect and dignity to people with disabilities which we expect for ourselves. We have to strive towards a model of service provision which acknowledges the rights of people with disabilities to choose and express wishes and to have a reasonable expectation that those choices and wishes will be acknowledged and translated into positive action.
Within this context, I am happy to be here today, to affirm the particular role of MS Ireland in bringing Ireland closer to achieving an inclusive citizenship and a more equal and healthy society.
As Patron of MS Ireland, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge work of the current and past members of the board of MS Ireland, management and staff and the individuals affected by MS, their families and carers for their contribution to the development of the organisation.
A very special thanks to all involved with the Wexford South Branch of MS Ireland who have organised this gathering today and have made me feel very welcome. My best wishes to you all for the celebrations associated with World MS Day 2012.
Is iontach an obair atá ar siúl agaibh. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
Thank you.