Cavan woman takes a long leap to fundraise for MS
Thomas Lyons
Like many people who interact with journalists, there is a concern on the part of Patricia Akin Scanlon about how she will be portrayed. The assurance is that it’s a story reflecting who she is and what she has gone through.
“So positive and vivacious then,” Patricia laughs. That word positive has cropped up several times in conversation. It’s a mantra necessary to tackle Multiple Sclerosis or to put up the best fight against cancer.
The Cavan Town lady has done both and is about to take on another challenge, because clearly it’s not as if she has enough of them in her life. This self selected demanding situation will see her drop almost 150ft (44 metres) from the roof of Croke Park to the pitch.
What would possess someone to undertake such an ordeal? “I don’t know. I have abseiled minor drops, but this is something else."
Those previous interactions with the rope were with the Girl Guides and very different to the charity drop she will perform on Saturday, June 1.
“I watched a video of the descent after I registered and immediately regretted watching it. You go to the seventh floor of Croke Park and you get a bit of training. Then you walk to the top of the Hogan Stand to the big video screen and you drop down onto the pitch,” Patricia flicks her hair behind her ear as she states in a matter-of-fact manner what’s in store.
The charity to benefit from the venture is Multiple Sclerosis Ireland. MS is a long-lasting disease affecting the brain, spinal cord, or the optic nerves in your eyes. It causes problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions. The effects are often different for everyone who has the disease.
“I don’t like going down ladders,” she confesses, “but I said I was going to do it, so I’m going to do it. I have fought cancer and I’m in remission. I’m fighting MS. It lives with me, I don’t live with it - that is my motto,” the emphasis in her words assert her positivity in coping with a particularly difficult situation. Which should help her when she is 150 feet off the green sward of Croke Park.
The funds raised will go to accelerating Irish and global research into MS and the provision of services to over 9,000 people living with MS and their family members. Multiple Sclerosis Ireland give information, support and advocacy services to the MS community.
Although MS is a progressive neurological condition that can affect a person’s health, lifestyle and relationships many people with MS find ways to manage and cope with many of the affects and difficulties.
Invisible condition
For some MS is an invisible condition. Many of the debilitating symptoms are not apparent. Patricia says that this can be problematic: “People don’t see it. That can be a trial with MS, people don’t understand the impact it is having on someone.
“Some days you might need a walking stick, others days you don’t. You don’t rely on props unless you need them. You have to learn to adapt socially to it. There is nothing in life that I don’t do. Myself and my two daughters do everything that a normal family do.”
Diagnosed in 2005 by Professor James Hayes in Cavan General, Patricia is grateful for all who have supported her in her fight: “He and his staff at Cavan General have been so supportive over the years. He’s very involved in my care. My family and friends have also given me great assistance.”
Care worker in Cavan
MS Ireland provide information, support and advocacy: “They have 10 regional offices around Ireland. We had a wonderful care worker in Cavan, Tess Kennedy, who recently retired. Her role is now being undertaken by Pauline McKenna. I have to give credit to St Christopher’s centre here in Cavan. They give us respite when we need it. Without them we would be lost. Michelle Hall is the senior physiotherapist. She is absolutely brilliant, but there is a huge multi-disciplinary team.”
This is not the only way Patricia has volunteered for MS Ireland. She enjoys promoting the MS Readathon that runs from October 12 to November 12 this year. But the abseiling is the next hurdle to cross: “The fundraising is going well so far. I have had friends from Australia, Europe and England support me online.”
Patricia was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. She had her last operation in 2017 and is now in remission. Her attitude to it is as fixed as her attitude to MS: “It’s always good to be positive, because you have to live with it and just get on with it.”
If you want to donate you could drop in to her brother Jimmy Scanlon’s jewellers on Townhall St or make an online donation at: www.everydayhero.com/ie/trisha-s-croke-park-abseil-challenge-for-m-s-ireland