Limerick woman with MS to walk 50km to raise vital funds for MS Ireland

Kelly Ryan (centre) with Aine Quinn and Tara O'Brien preparing for Kelly's epic challenge of a 50km fundraiser for MS Ireland

placeholder image — Kelly Ryan (centre) with Aine Quinn and Tara O'Brien preparing for Kelly's epic challenge of a 50km fundraiser for MS Ireland

Kelly Ryan is setting herself a huge challenge for the month of May

LIMERICK woman Kelly Ryan, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) last November is leading the way for the MS Ireland 50K challenge in May.

It’s a global initiative and all money raised will go towards funding MS research, support, advocacy and services on both national and regional levels.

People are asked to complete the 50K in any way they can, whether that’s walking, running, or rolling, throughout the month of May.

As it’s a virtual event around the world, it can be done anywhere, by individuals, families or teams.

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”.

Getting a diagnosis of MS can be life-changing and very daunting and Kelly said the lead up to knowing what was happening was fraught.

The 27-year-old told the Limerick Leader: “I was officially diagnosed in November 2023, after two and a half years of not knowing what was going on with my body.”

Describing how she felt, she said: “My symptoms came on after the Covid vaccine, as the vaccine presented it, but it was blurry vision in one eye, fatigue, weakness, and what felt like - and still feels like - electric shocks going through my brain.

“When I got the diagnosis, I remember being so relieved that I finally had an answer, and then extremely overwhelmed.

“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.”

She added that with a diagnosis like this, there’s a lot to take in.

“I’m still navigating around it all, but it’s all about listening to my body and knowing when to rest.

“I never know how I’m going to feel until I wake up in the mornings because it’s such an unpredictable illness.

“I have good days and bad days, it is just about learning to listen to my body, I’m definitely still learning.”

When Kelly first took on the May 50K challenge, she had a fundraising target of €250 and in just four days, she reached €2,203.

“With those insanely generous donations, I’ve received so many amazing messages of kindness and support. I’ve never felt so loved.

“I’ve also received messages from old friends, my own age, who have also recently been diagnosed with MS, and some of the people also involved with the charity. I would encourage as many people as possible to take up this challenge in May”.

There are more than 10,000 people in Ireland living with MS and 30% of all money raised will go towards life-changing MS research, while 70% will fund local services and supports across Ireland.

If you want to get involved in the challenge, register on the MS Ireland website here https://www.themay50k.ie.

People can support Kelly directly at www.themay50k.ie/ fundraisers/kellyryan.