Primary school teacher living with MS urges Louth to start reading for the MS Readathon

Primary school teacher Sarah Mather has urged schools and families across Louth to start reading this November as part of this year’s MS Readathon.

Mather was diagnosed with MS(Multiple sclerosis) in 2022, the first signs that something was wrong came after the birth of her son Tom, when Sarah began experiencing numbness in her stomach and legs, along with a level of fatigue that felt very different from ordinary tiredness.

“I knew what tiredness was, and I knew that this was different,” she said.

Within a year, Sarah temporarily lost sight in her left eye and underwent a series of tests before being diagnosed with MS.

“I just burst into tears because finally they could tell me it wasn’t in my head. It was real.”

Sarah believes one of the more difficult aspects of living with MS is that many of its symptoms are not immediately visible to other people.

“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.

After her diagnosis, Sarah began using services provided by MS Ireland, including physiotherapy, community support and respite care.

She said meeting other people who understood what she was experiencing was particularly important.

“It was fantastic to connect with people who understand. There’s no judgment. They just get it.”

Sarah also stayed at the MS Ireland Respite Centre, where she formed strong friendships with others living with MS.

“The group I became part of were amazing. We laughed so much about the horrible things we were going through, shared our stories, and even bought matching pyjamas. It was so healing.”

“I always like to keep going with things, but I’ve come to realise I just can’t do what I used to, and that’s okay.”

Reading has always been a part of Sarah’s life as she grew up with a love for books thanks to her mother who was also a teacher.

“Reading has always been a big part of my life. Mam always made sure reading was never a chore but an adventure.”

Sarah’s relationship with books became particularly meaningful when her eldest daughter, Abbie, was born prematurely and spent several weeks in an incubator.

“We just read to her all the time. Now she has her own little library in her room, and she loves the MS Readathon. As she says, ‘you can just get lost in a story and switch off from the world.’”

Sarah praised the freedom that comes with the MS Readathon for kids, as they can read anything, from a novel, to a comic to an audiobook.

“One of the greatest privileges of teaching is knowing the lessons we teach extend beyond the curriculum.

“For pupils, it isn’t just about counting books or sponsorship. It’s about kindness, generosity and community. They learn that opening a book can help another person.”

First launched in 1988, the MS Readathon will take place throughout November 2026, with children and adults invited to get sponsored to read in support of MS Ireland.

Find out more here.