I was diagnosed with MS at 18 — I’m glad we had children while I’m still able to walk and run

Laura Barry was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as a teenager and chose to have children sooner rather than later while her health was stable

Waterford woman Laura Barry was diagnosed with MS at 18 and says joining the local running club has been a lifesaver. Picture: Howard Crowdy

As the mother of two young children, Laura Barry is used to feeling tired. “My first was a bad sleeper, but then when my second came along, he was even worse,” she says. “My husband and I had to take it night on, night off…because I would just be absolutely drained.”

While sleepless nights are a given for many mums of young children, Barry, from Co Waterford, has the additional challenge of living with multiple sclerosis (MS).