‘People don’t really understand arthritis unless you are a sufferer’, says Longford mother

It’s a feeling county Longford mother of three Fiona Mulleady knows only too well after she was diagnosed with the condition four years ago.

“People might look at you and say ‘She’s too young to have it’ but people don’t really understand unless you are a sufferer,” she said, revealing the condition is in her spine, lower back and neck.

“It’s taken a long road to get diagnosed and a lot of money too, but I have taken up running again and I won’t let it get the better of me.”

Fiona was speaking at the end of National Arthritis Week, an event designed to raise awareness both about the condition and the work of various branches across the country.

One of those, being its Longford branch, held a tree planting ceremony in The Mall last week alongside an open day which took centre stage at Longford County Library.

The event offered locals the chance to learn more about the organisation as well as its future courses and activities.
“One of our members, Chairperson Mary Henry, is representing Arthritis Ireland in Prague at The Eular Conference this month,” explained Loretta Doyle, branch vice chairperson.

“We are proud to have Mary represent all of us with Arthritis at such a prestigious conference.”

The Longford Branch of Arthritis Ireland also provide a wide variety of classes.

Among them is arthritis aqua on Tuesdays, physiotherapist led seated exercise on Wednesdays and 'nordic pole' walking on Thursdays in the Mall.

“We also deliver a living well with arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic conditions course, which is a Standford University programme, to enable people with arthritis and chronic conditions to understand how to manage their lives and condition in a positive and life-enhancing way,” added Loretta.

For more, you can find the Arthritis Ireland Longford branch on Facebook.