Sarah Mather, a primary school teacher and mother of two from Kildare, has shared her experience leading up to her 2022 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Following the birth of her son Tom, Mather began experiencing unusual symptoms, including numbness in her stomach and legs and a profound fatigue that she described as distinctly different from ordinary tiredness. Within a year, she experienced temporary vision loss in her left eye, prompting medical tests that ultimately led to her MS diagnosis.

Reflecting on the emotional impact of the diagnosis, Mather said she felt a sense of relief that her symptoms were validated as real rather than imagined. She highlighted the challenges posed by the invisible nature of many MS symptoms, noting that others often cannot see the effects of the disease. "People can’t see what MS is doing to you, so they think you’re fine. It’s hard to describe what the fatigue is like, but it can be draining," she said. She emphasized her adjustment to living with MS, acknowledging that while she prefers to keep active, she has learned to accept limitations imposed by the condition.

Following her diagnosis, Mather has accessed a range of support services offered by MS Ireland, including physiotherapy, community support, and respite care. She also stressed the importance of connecting with others living with MS, saying that meeting people with similar experiences provides a sense of understanding and acceptance without judgment.

Mather spoke ahead of the upcoming MS Readathon, an annual fundraising event organised by MS Ireland, which takes place throughout November 2026. The event encourages children and adults across Ireland to sponsor reading activities to support services for more than 11,000 people living with MS nationwide. Mather shared her personal connection to reading, which she described as an adventure fostered by her mother, and recounted how reading helped provide comfort during her daughter Abbie’s premature birth and stay in an incubator. Abbie, who has developed her own home library, also enjoys participating in the MS Readathon.

As a teacher, Mather underscored the Readathon’s inclusive approach, which allows participants to choose any reading material, including comics or audiobooks, rather than being restricted to novels. MS Ireland’s Chief Executive, Ava Battles, said the event not only promotes literacy but also plays a vital role in funding support services across the country.

Schools, families, and individuals interested in taking part can register at msreadathon.ie.