In this episode of the Living with MS podcast, we are joined by Margaret O’Leary from Arklow, Co. Wicklow.
Originally from Poland, Margaret has lived in Ireland for 20 years and now lives with her husband Thomas, their young son Sebastian, and their much-loved Jack Russell, Rudy. Margaret was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS in 2017, after first experiencing symptoms several years earlier.
In January 2027, Margaret will take on an Arctic Challenge, travelling 350km north of the Arctic Circle as part of an eight-day expedition involving snowshoes, nordic skis and extreme conditions. The trek will mark 10 years since her MS diagnosis.
For Margaret, this challenge is about reclaiming the narrative, stepping outside her comfort zone, and showing that while MS can change your life, it does not have to define your limits.
In this episode, Margaret speaks about diagnosis, family life, remote working, living with MS, and preparing for a challenge that is both deeply personal and physically demanding.
You can support Margaret’s Arctic Challenge fundraiser for MS Ireland here: https://multiplesclerosisofireland.enthuse.com/pf/margaret-o-leary
The Living with MS Podcast series aims to give a voice to the Irish MS community as our guests share their own personal multiple sclerosis story from diagnosis to today.
Every person with MS has different symptoms, different reactions to being diagnosed, different journeys and this series aims to share those stories every month to hopefully help you get a better understanding of MS.
For more information on MS Ireland and multiple sclerosis go to our website here https://www.ms-society.ie
We would ask you to follow or subscribe to this series wherever you get your podcasts and you will be the first to hear a new episode every month.
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