"Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine (In the shelter of each other, people survive)," by Joan Jordan

We are nothing without community. This powerful sentence is an Irish saying, or seanfhocal, on human interdependence. People live in the shelter of one another. Much like trees in a forest, we rely on others for support, protection, and survival.

My giant sequoia is Robert Joyce. I am following in his footsteps as an embedded Public and Patient Involvement researcher on the COB-MS clinical trial. I began in September 2025 and was delighted to know that my EUPATI fellow was there to advise and guide me.

In Robert’s words: “Little did I know the transformative change in me when I joined the COB-MS clinical study as a Research Assistant in July 2019. My role was to be the voice of people living with MS, so that the quality of the study would be better. I could use the experience of living with this disease to help others. It lifted me out of a dark place, where I had little purpose. This introduced me to Patient & Public Involvement, and I have continued to promote the value of including the users of a service or treatment in the design of same. Now my role is less intense, as my disability grows, but I still see the positive impact of my activity. The COB-MS study now has two Embedded Patient Researchers, because as a co-applicant for the grant aid of this research I could ensure there was a budget for more voices. I am looking forward to seeing the results.”

Go raibh míle Robert. We are stronger together.