TM Support Group of Ireland
Ann Moran

Three generations of Morans are having a family reunion. They come from Ireland, England, USA, Australia, and Zimbabwe. My husband’s family travelled long distances from their homeland; as did many people in Ireland in the 1950’s.

Well, now down to the TMA business!

I have had three new people diagnosed with TM contact me through logging on to the TMA site, which is great. I keep battling on with creating awareness. I am hoping to get some funding through the Health Board to design a three fold information leaflet that can be distributed throughout the country to all Health Boards, hospitals, clinics, and general practitioners.

Thank you to all who sent me information on Social Security/Disability payments. I made out an information sheet and took it with me when we met with our government members. This meeting was organised through “Disability Federation Ireland.” I also made several copies from information on the TMA website and gave them to almost everyone who came up and spoke to me. Some found it very interesting. I was also wearing a badge with Transverse Myelitis Support Group Ireland on it, and this seemed to make people ask questions, not having heard of TM before. I was very dry by the evening time from all my talking! Two of the national papers took statements from me regarding funding and community employment schemes and regarding Transverse Myelitis awareness.

Before I end, I want to say a sincere thank you to all of our officers of the TMA. If I remember rightly, when I received my first newsletter from Sandy back in 1997, there were only about 140 people on our membership list. Look at it now; how the TMA has grown. All of this would not be possible without Sandy and his family. It would not be possible without Deanne and Dick Gilmur who made it their business to bring us all the information they could find in the early days, while trying to find answers for themselves and their daughter. Where would we all be today without them. Thank you so much for sharing all of your findings with us and for making the TMA a reality.

I know I felt such a relief in my life to find that there were others out in the world who were stricken with this TM nightmare. For seven years I was working in a fog; no one could tell me what was really wrong with me.

We must not forget Jim Lubin for his dedication and hard work with the TMA web site. If you are lucky enough to meet him, and I have in Seattle, you will see what a remarkable person he is.

Thanks also to Debbie and Paula, who keep the wheels turning on the administration front. All these people work very hard for the TMA, totally voluntarily, giving their time; and they also have jobs and families to care for.

Best wishes,

Ann Moran,

Westport , Southern Ireland