As the final hours roll in of 2013, i have been reflecting on the last 12 months. This time last year i sat down and wrote out my goals, all of them - family, health/fitness and business goals, and hand on heart i am delighted as this past 12 months has seen me hit the majority of them which is a great return for my efforts in 2013.
I have been doing my blog now for over two years and in it I try and raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and also try and help people believe that little bit more, that with a plan, effort and the right attitude, absolutely anything is possible. I can tell you that in the past 12 months i have had over 7000 people read my blogs and i would like to thank all those who find them interesting and have sent me nice emails and words of encouragement in this timeframe - it really helps my mindset and desire to continue to challenge my MS situation and also drive forward with tenacity in terms of my business, health and fitness goals.
The birth of my son Conor Junior, was clearly the highlight of the last 12 months and its predominantly for family reasons that I will continue to work hard to make sure I am as healthy as I can be so I can continue to play a key role at home.
Another huge achievement for me this year was learning to swim properly and doing my first triathlon. I always wanted to compete in Triathlons, but the swimming part has always been a huge problem for me ever since I was a young boy and watched my first Jaws film. It had a very disturbing effect on my relationship with open water. Thankfully I fought my fear with my fear and In June and August this year I completed the Derry and Belfast Triathlons respectively and the feeling was absolutely tremendous. I have to admit I now have the bug and I will be competing in several triathlons this coming year and cant wait for them to start.
Christmas is my favourite time of year for different reasons, one being its the only time in a busy year that I actually get a few days to myself without the emails coming in, phones ringing and meeting requests etc. When I have some downtime I try and get stuck into a few good books to keep the mind sharp. A month ago I was reading an article in the Sunday Independent whereby Padraig Harrington was recommending some books to read. One was the Talent Code by Daniel Coyle and the other a book called Bounce by Matthew Syed. Both books are incredible reads and as we head into 2014 where the perfect tonic for me in terms of planning for the year ahead. Tomorrow I will sit down and write out my goals all over again for 2014, and I have to tell you, I intend to raise the bar again.
For me I am now absolutely convinced that exercise has played a fundamental role in me continuing to beat Multiple Sclerosis on a daily basis. I have been very fortunate this year in that I have had the opportunity to speak at a number of MS events that has taken me across Europe. Through my blogs and overall MS awareness campaign, I have had the pleasure to meet and connect with fellow MS'ers from across the world. I have to tell you that it is incredible the amount of people who are using exercise as one of their main weapons to fight Multiple Sclerosis. Can I also tell you that these findings are not restricted to MS (as you know), most people who are embraced in exercise live happier healthier lives - that's a medically accepted fact and my wish for 2014, is that all of us do take the opportunity to do more exercise. I speak a lot to different groups now, MS groups, schools, business events and the one thing I say to everyone is to try and encourage people to get fitter. Exercise is FREE and is crucial if you want to keep your body strong enabling it to fight illness and disease.
Health permitting, I hope to run a few marathons and a number of triathlons this year, and in the Summer of 2014 I hope to complete my first half Ironman. For those of you whom aren't too sure what a half Ironman is its a 1.2mile swim, 56mile bike ride and 13.1mile half marathon. I am excited even typing about it, so bring on 2014, and like always I will keep you abreast of my progress.
In closing thanks again for all your kind words and support in 2013 and I really look forward to raising the bar in 2014.
Happy New Year all and remember #Attitude Is Everything
Monday 30 December 2013
Sunday 22 December 2013
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
In the early hours of Friday morning the 20th December 2013, 59 year old Irish University lecturer and right to die advocate Marie Flemming passed away at her home by the side of her loving family. Marie had been suffering from the final stages of Multiple Sclerosis. She is now finally at peace after suffering greatly at the hands of MS - a terrible neurological condition, that would appear to be increasing in regularity across the world, especially in Ireland.
Earlier this year, Marie and her partner Tom Curran took on the Irish justice system as she was in so much pain and distress, she wanted her partner to be in a position to assist her to pass gracefully, However the courts ruled against this, and Marie had to suffer intensely for the remainder of the year. For months there was lots of media attention, the papers were full of so called experts both for and against assisted suicide. The television ran debates on the issue and it seemed at times that everyone had an opinion on this case and the whole issue of assisted suicide. The facts of the matter today is that now it doesn't really matter in relation to Marie and her family. MS has won the day and tonight Marie is in a much better place - at peace. I just hope that now her children Corrinna and Simon, stepson David, her two brothers, her sister, grandchildren and her partner Tom, get the space they deserve to grieve and moreso rejoice at Maries Life.
I myself have been fighting Multiple Sclerosis for over 7 years now and I have to say that I was watching Marie' case with real interest wondering what I would do if my own condition developed to such a tragic state. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for Marie and her family to go through the judicial system with the hope only to gain permission to die gracefully. What it does do for me now is put life into perspective and although my mind continues to challenge me with all sorts of connotations around a life fighting MS, I plan to try and enjoy my health and be more grateful for my life's experiences to date, and get excited about the goals and challenges ahead.
Last month I was keynote speaker at an annual Multiple Sclerosis conference in Italy. I was the only MS patient who was invited to speak from Europe and my audience was over 500 neurologists, medics and researchers. The one common denominator in the room was that we all wanted a CURE for MS and the sooner the better. The experience was incredible and I can tell you that some very well respected neuros told me they expect to have a CURE for MS in the next 10/15 years. This is incredible and having spent some time with these guys I have no reason to doubt them.
Tonight I have just finished a book written by one of Ireland 's most inspirational sports men Mr Jim Stynes. The book is written in real time as Jim was fighting a very rapid form of Cancer. The book moved me and also helped me in terms of my mind-set and absolute drive to keep moving forward. He touched on something that I regularly speak about when I am talking to people about life and facing challenges - HOPE. He says ;
"The element of hope has to be the starting point of your journey. There is life after diagnosis, and it is crucial you live it with hope. It will improve your experience of life fighting the illness. You are more likely to find happiness and less likely to feel anxious. It will improve your chances of recovery". He then went on to quote the great Irish poet Seamus Heaney;
"Even if the hopes you started out with are dashed, hope has to be maintained".
As we approach Christmas, I am all too aware of the challenges facing people today. I have spent the last few years speaking to hundreds of people about there financial issues, that often lead to other challenges.
So on reflection, and for me the message this Christmas has to be one of hope - no matter how desperate your own challenge appears to be, never lose hope.
Have a happy peaceful Christmas all and thanks to everyone who has supported me through 2013, in particular my family.
Cd
#Attitude Is Everything
Earlier this year, Marie and her partner Tom Curran took on the Irish justice system as she was in so much pain and distress, she wanted her partner to be in a position to assist her to pass gracefully, However the courts ruled against this, and Marie had to suffer intensely for the remainder of the year. For months there was lots of media attention, the papers were full of so called experts both for and against assisted suicide. The television ran debates on the issue and it seemed at times that everyone had an opinion on this case and the whole issue of assisted suicide. The facts of the matter today is that now it doesn't really matter in relation to Marie and her family. MS has won the day and tonight Marie is in a much better place - at peace. I just hope that now her children Corrinna and Simon, stepson David, her two brothers, her sister, grandchildren and her partner Tom, get the space they deserve to grieve and moreso rejoice at Maries Life.
I myself have been fighting Multiple Sclerosis for over 7 years now and I have to say that I was watching Marie' case with real interest wondering what I would do if my own condition developed to such a tragic state. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for Marie and her family to go through the judicial system with the hope only to gain permission to die gracefully. What it does do for me now is put life into perspective and although my mind continues to challenge me with all sorts of connotations around a life fighting MS, I plan to try and enjoy my health and be more grateful for my life's experiences to date, and get excited about the goals and challenges ahead.
Last month I was keynote speaker at an annual Multiple Sclerosis conference in Italy. I was the only MS patient who was invited to speak from Europe and my audience was over 500 neurologists, medics and researchers. The one common denominator in the room was that we all wanted a CURE for MS and the sooner the better. The experience was incredible and I can tell you that some very well respected neuros told me they expect to have a CURE for MS in the next 10/15 years. This is incredible and having spent some time with these guys I have no reason to doubt them.
Tonight I have just finished a book written by one of Ireland 's most inspirational sports men Mr Jim Stynes. The book is written in real time as Jim was fighting a very rapid form of Cancer. The book moved me and also helped me in terms of my mind-set and absolute drive to keep moving forward. He touched on something that I regularly speak about when I am talking to people about life and facing challenges - HOPE. He says ;
"The element of hope has to be the starting point of your journey. There is life after diagnosis, and it is crucial you live it with hope. It will improve your experience of life fighting the illness. You are more likely to find happiness and less likely to feel anxious. It will improve your chances of recovery". He then went on to quote the great Irish poet Seamus Heaney;
"Even if the hopes you started out with are dashed, hope has to be maintained".
As we approach Christmas, I am all too aware of the challenges facing people today. I have spent the last few years speaking to hundreds of people about there financial issues, that often lead to other challenges.
So on reflection, and for me the message this Christmas has to be one of hope - no matter how desperate your own challenge appears to be, never lose hope.
Have a happy peaceful Christmas all and thanks to everyone who has supported me through 2013, in particular my family.
Cd
#Attitude Is Everything
Friday 13 December 2013
2013 - Fitter and Stronger... Next Chapter ?
In 2013 I celebrated my 7th year of MS diagnosis - well I didn't really celebrate it, but I have been reflecting a lot over the past 12 months of what has been going on with my own life. In 2003 I graduated at University of Ulster with a Real Estate degree and 10 years later, come this Tuesday I have been asked to be keynote speaker at the South West Graduation in Omagh - a great privilege for me. To say the last 10 years has been eventful is an understatement. In those 10 years, I have crammed in many things including moving house four times, built a new house, got married, adopted two dogs, had two children and also got diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis - and that's just the half of it.
As I reflect two weeks from Christmas, I am very grateful for the past twelve months and for lots of reasons I am really looking forward to 2014. Thankfully my health is good I am beating the MS currently as I rigidly stick to my three point plan 1)Medication 2)Diet & Exercise and a very 3) Positive Approach to your circumstances - I put this plan in place in 2010 and thankfully I have got stronger and stronger as each year has passed.
2013 was particularly good from an exercise point of view as I completed Dublin marathon, two triathlons, and an adventure race of 67km and ran over 500 miles of training runs - a pretty good bench mark and achievement for me. The plan for 2014, is to up the ante on my fitness goals and over Christmas I will be finalising my program. I hope to compete in a number of Triathlons next year and also around the Summer compete in my first half Iron Man. I am excited at the thought of raising the bar and also in the past week I have been accepted to run in the Berlin and New York marathons in September and November 2014. So I will be busy alright and if I am lucky enough to stay healthy then I will be able to reach the dizzy heights I will be setting for myself which will be fantastic.
I have found since I started setting goals in the past three years, all aspects of my life continue to improve. Everyone needs a plan so I would certainly encourage everyone to consider this and put their own plan into play. In January I will be launching my new website, which is looking great currently, and I will continue to blog throughout the year to keep you updated on my challenges, health and anything else that I am up to. I can also share with you that I have been asked to write another book in 2014, which I will be starting in the Spring - so all things being equal, 2014 should be a great year.
Remember all #Attitude Is Everything
As I reflect two weeks from Christmas, I am very grateful for the past twelve months and for lots of reasons I am really looking forward to 2014. Thankfully my health is good I am beating the MS currently as I rigidly stick to my three point plan 1)Medication 2)Diet & Exercise and a very 3) Positive Approach to your circumstances - I put this plan in place in 2010 and thankfully I have got stronger and stronger as each year has passed.
2013 was particularly good from an exercise point of view as I completed Dublin marathon, two triathlons, and an adventure race of 67km and ran over 500 miles of training runs - a pretty good bench mark and achievement for me. The plan for 2014, is to up the ante on my fitness goals and over Christmas I will be finalising my program. I hope to compete in a number of Triathlons next year and also around the Summer compete in my first half Iron Man. I am excited at the thought of raising the bar and also in the past week I have been accepted to run in the Berlin and New York marathons in September and November 2014. So I will be busy alright and if I am lucky enough to stay healthy then I will be able to reach the dizzy heights I will be setting for myself which will be fantastic.
I have found since I started setting goals in the past three years, all aspects of my life continue to improve. Everyone needs a plan so I would certainly encourage everyone to consider this and put their own plan into play. In January I will be launching my new website, which is looking great currently, and I will continue to blog throughout the year to keep you updated on my challenges, health and anything else that I am up to. I can also share with you that I have been asked to write another book in 2014, which I will be starting in the Spring - so all things being equal, 2014 should be a great year.
Remember all #Attitude Is Everything
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