Calendar girl Irene inspires those who suffer disease

HOLDING down a job is tougher for people like Irene Kearney who have rheumatoid arthritis because fatigue is a significant symptom of the disease.

Irene, 21, from Araglen, Fermoy, Co Cork, was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was 11.

She works part-time as an administrator at Quinn Healthcare in Fermoy that has been extremely considerate of her condition.

Irene is featured in the 2008 Arthritis Calendar working in Dublin Zoo — her dream job, because of her determination to overcome the daily challenges posed by the disease.

As the photograph by John Minihan shows, Irene found that feeding the lemurs was a scary experience. She was warned the animals could bite if they are startled, but she managed to cope extremely well armed with a big bowl of fruit.

About 40,000 people in Ireland have rheumatoid arthritis and many have to leave their jobs. Advances in treatments, however, are allowing more people with the condition to remain or return to work.

Irene has just entered the workplace after completing a two year computer course and part of her grand plan includes travelling around the world.

Thankfully, the severe pain she suffered when she was younger has eased a lot over the years.

“Nowadays, it only bothers me if I overdo it — if I am shopping too much or am out too late at night.

“I am on new medication now and it is fantastic,” she said.

Irene, the second youngest of a family of five children, said she wanted to thank her parents, Carmel and Dave, who had helped her get on with her life. “I was happy to be included in the calendar so that people realised that rheumatoid arthritis is also a young people’s disease,” she said.

The calendar was part of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Work a Day competition and features 12 people experiencing their dream job.

Minister for Enterprise, Micheál Martin, who supports the project, said a large proportion of people with rheumatoid arthritis were extremely able, qualified and experienced individuals who were in the prime of their working life or presently thinking about their future careers.

“This project not only impacts those directly involved, but also offers inspiration for those with the condition who see a career as a dream in itself,” he said.

The calendar is available for €9.99 in SuperValu outlets and from Arthritis Ireland by phoning 01-6618188. They can also be purchased online at www.arthritisireland.ie

Money raised will be used by Arthritis Ireland to help make a difference to the lives of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.