I felt shame over my MS.. but now I've taken back control of my life

Mum-of-two Shirley reclaiming her life after shocking diagnosis left her in dark space

- CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

A WOMAN with Multiple Sclerosis says she is reclaiming her life after the shocking diagnosis left her in a dark space.

Shirley Keane O'Brien, 46, was diagnosed with the chronic illness in 2021.

She found it difficult to accept at first and didn't tell her children Evan, now 16, and Lauren, 18, until a year later.

The mother-of-two, from Co Clare, felt this was the right thing to do, as she wanted to make sure she was in the right headspace to share the news.

The diagnosis was particularly tough as the country was amid a strict Covid-19 lockdown.

However, Shirley is in a much better and more positive space now and is an ambassador for MS Ireland.