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Sustainability, Safety, Health & Wellbeing
June/July 2012 www.esb.ie/em
Health&Habitat
EVER WANTED A GRAVEL GARDEN?
Learn how to create one in our gardening section
Page 36
ATHLETICS CLUB UPDATE: BEACH RACE 2012
SUMMER ARRIVED in perfect time for the ESB Beach Race on Sandymount Strand this week. Thanks to all the volunteers who assisted on the night. Weather, times, tea and brack were all reported to be good. Thanks also to Electric Ireland who moved their Olympian posters to the event and finally thanks to the runners. The range of prizes was well accepted, particularly the specially designed Gold, Silver and Bronze medals awarded to the lead athletes. Jerry Kiernan, (Los Angeles 1984 Olympian) presented the prizes thus rounding off an enjoyable evening.
Results
- Dublin Airport 4th Grade A, 2nd Grade C
- NCF Flood Lit 5th Grade B, 4th Grade C
- DCC 3rd Grade A, 2nd Grade C
- K Club 6th Grade A, 4th Grade B, 4th and 10th Grade D.
Fixtures
- Jun 13 Trinity 2012
- Jun 26 Irish Prison Service 5k Trail
- Jul 11 DCC 5k
- Jul 25 BNY Mellon 1500m Track.
Further information inc. full race results:. http://esbnet/athleticclub. http://sharepoint/sites/Group/CIO/COO/CMCSM/SC/ESB_Athletic_Club/default.aspx. ESB AC c/o Matt Reid: 70-26671, matthew.reid@esb.ie
Runner Focus No. 4
– Jimmy Byrne
This month the focus in on Jimmy Byrne, Senior Meter reader, recently retired after 48 years in ESB
What made you take up running?
After completing in two 50 mile Sligo Walks I was looking for something easier so I took up marathon running!
What motivates you to keep running?
I look forward to the competition, it’s just as fierce in the over 65’s category!
Who is your favourite athlete?
Lassee Virén, double Olympic Champion in 1972 and 1976.
What brand of running shoes do you wear? Asics.
What are your top running tips?
Plenty of stretching and run on God’s carpet i.e. grass as much as possible.
What was your usual race preparation?
Light breakfast, good warm up and go for it!
What injuries have impacted your running?
Knees knees knees…
What was your favourite race?
The Donnybrook 10 mile race.
What has been your greatest running achievement?
The fact that I am still competing in my young days…
What is your running ambition?
To keep going ‘til I appear in Departed Friends!
HEALTH SERVICES
CASE STUDY BRIAN GRAY
Becoming ill with Guillain Barré Syndrome, and his 10-month recovery from the auto-immune disorder, has taught Brian Gray some important lessons in life. The most important, he says, is not to take your health for granted.
“Since my wheelchair episode I have run 4 marathons, with a further 2 on the cards in April 2012, so the extent to which my sanity has recovered may be questioned by many!”
“IN JUNE 2009, I went off work, with suspected flu. Over the next five-days I went from having tingling fingers to being completely paralysed from the neck down and had to be but on a ventilator to breathe.
I could tell early on that there was something a bit different than just the normal sweats and aches of a flu, but I couldn’t really verbalise the sensations to the GP, until they became pins and needles in my arms and legs. The doctor, concerned about the progression of the ‘sensation’, gave me a referral and told me to go to hospital if it got worse.
Unfortunately, in A&E they look for visible signs of illness: but there was no blood pressure problems, no high temperature, no bleeding. Luckily, I learned you need to be able to describe how a problem affects you and how it has progressed or changed. You only get a short window with a medical professional - so be ready to give them all the details and don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
I was diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome, an auto-immune disorder: my immune system was attacking my nervous system, stripping the nerves’ coverings and effectively short-circuiting them. GBS is a rare illness that usually follows a viral infection, such as swine flu. In my case, it came after I had contracted foodborne Hepatitis E.
There followed a challenging number of weeks in the Mater Hospital’s high-dependency, intensive-care and special-care units. I learned that not being able to move is one kind of problem, but being unable to communicate (due to artificial ventilation) is a much greater challenge and frustration.
My recovery was initially sporadic, but I tried to focus on the progress rather than the setbacks. I ran my first marathon only a month prior to my illness and the physical condition of my lungs was critical in helping me come off artificial ventilation quite quickly. But discipline and a positive outlook proved my recovery’s greatest allies.
I relearned how to sit, chew, brush my teeth and feed myself. This is where I learned the importance of not taking things for granted.
I made a rapid recovery and was relocated to the National Rehabilitation Hospital eight weeks after being admitted to the Mater. Throughout this time, my boss kept in close contact with my wife and before I left the Mater he visited me. We talked about the road ahead and my return to work. He offered complete flexibility to find a way that would allow me to reintegrate at a level and pace that I could cope with.
It would be 10 months before I was able to work full-time, but I am forever grateful for the way I was helped back at a pace I could manage. Had I waited until I was ready to return full-time who knows how long that would have taken?
Another important lesson: if you are out ill for a long period, starting back at a level you can handle and building up is better for your self esteem and sanity; it also helps refocus your mind away from your illness onto a normal working life.
I remember the days I took my first steps: three meters with the assistance of two people; the day I walked 400 meters with a stick to qualify for discharge. On both those days I won my race.
At the NRH, I met people with injuries that made me feel extremely lucky to be parking my wheelchair after only three months. It really brings the road safety adverts to life. It was here that I truly learned the importance of looking after my health, appreciating what I have and seeking to never take anything for granted.
