Please Yourself

During my first school placement in college, a teacher in the school I was training in had done the MS Readathon with her class earlier in the school year. As a mature student, I was much closer in age to the more experienced teachers in the school. This was a comfort to me. I was very open in the staff room about my reasons for changing career. My MS diagnosis being the catalyst for the change. With this in mind, the teacher asked me to talk about MS to the boys in her class. She wanted to give them a better understanding as to why they had been fundraising.

This was the first time I recall speaking openly to a group of people about MS with a view to educating them. I had done interviews for radio and newspapers previously but this was different. This was face to face, there was no hiding behind a microphone or printed word. This meant more. It was all boys, all from the same area of Dublin that I’m from. I needed this talk to have a positive impact on them.

As with most classrooms I’ve encountered, some boys were full of questions, some had absolutely no interest and others zoned in and out. I didn’t initially tell them that I had MS. I asked them questions and answered any questions they had for me. The conversation flowed as I explained in simple terms what MS is and where some of the money they raised would be going to. I soon learned that in any classroom expect the unexpected. The talk was abruptly cut short as one of the pupils began to get sick on his table.

Overall though, the feedback was very positive and I received a letter of thanks and best wishes from the class and their teacher when my placement finished. No matter how much praise I get, I am always my biggest critic. Teaching is such a mine field of methods and strategies that I’m never going to tick all the boxes with each lesson. Especially as I’m still relatively new to the profession.

Last year, I was asked to be an ambassador for the MS Readathon. I had agreed to take on the role. In July, with the school term over, it was all arranged for me to meet with the relevant parties, get the photos taken, do the interviews etc.. and promote the upcoming Readathon due to start in November.

The day before the scheduled meeting, however, I cancelled and withdrew as an ambassador (no ferrero rocher for me). I felt overwhelmed and certainly not confident in myself to promote something that is really important to me. It was a fantastic opportunity for me and, perhaps, in previous years I would never have shied away as I did. And although a real benefit of teaching is the summer’s off, I needed time to feel rejuvenated again both physically and mentally. After my first full year teaching my own class and becoming a dad again, I didn’t feel strong enough to deal with anything else. Any other distractions outside of the home could wait, I needed to look after me first. Thankfully, the organisers were extremely understanding.

I don’t regret withdrawing from the MS Readathon role although I think it did deter me from taking part in the 2023 Readathon. I did, however, complete two half marathons late last year so I won’t be beating myself up too much for not doing the Readathon. In the end, I did put myself first which is something I always encourage other people to do. I need to put my own advice into practice more. I am far too often a people pleaser, at times I’m overly generous and always try to avoid conflict, which can be contradictory to looking after yourself!

I’ve yet to tell my children about my MS. Oliver is 7 now and can read perfectly. It’s only a matter of time before he asks questions. Him and his younger sister are well aware of the importance of Vitamin D and that daddy gets very tired sometimes. Doing the Readathon could be a good way of telling them without it being an ordeal. Kids are more adaptable than we give them credit for. I read books to them every night and have become a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to picture books and children’s literacy. Another reason why doing the Readathon should be a no-brainer for me.

Reading has become such a passion for me both at home and in the classroom. Not that I’m extremely well-read myself, however, I do know that the importance of reading is immeasurable. Especially for children as it acts as a gateway to so many things for them. Anyway, I’m on my Easter break now. Hopefully, I feel rejuvenated after it. My kids might have other ideas but sure they are what pleases me. Please yourself 🙂

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr Seuss

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