Sarah O'Connor
"The COB-MS advisory board is important to me because it means that I can use my experience of living with MS to help shape research and outcomes for other people living with the condition. I can find a purpose to what I’m going through and ensure that research being carried out to in relation to people living with MS is accessible, relevant and beneficial."
Iwona Minogue
"I wanted to use my personal experiences to support others living with MS, help raise awareness, and contribute to a community where people feel heard, understood, and supported. To me, COB-MS represents navigating MS together with resilience, compassion, hope and smile."
Tony Nolan
"On the advisory board to advise, inform and support the invaluable research leading to improvements in cognition for those living with M.S."
COB-MS Public and Patient Involvement
Over recent decades, increasing importance has been placed on the role of public and patient involvement (PPI) in research. There has been a global effort by the patient community, researchers and clinicians to strengthen the meaningful involvement and engagement of service users, carers and members of the public in research. People with MS and carers, by virtue of their lived experience, can bring significant knowledge and expertise to the design and conduct of research studies. PPI is a key component of all stages of COB-MS.
The PPI Advisory Board!
After an extensive call to the MS Community and with great support from MS Ireland, a partner on this project, the COB-MS PPI Advisory Board was formed in November 2025.
With a range of people from all across the Republic of Ireland, members have spoken about the value of PPI involvement in MS research and shared with us how vital it is to be part of this work.
Brendan O'Connor
"I always thought if I could help others with MS then I can chalk it down as a little win. Little wins each day give a purpose to my days
Martin Bryan
"For those with MS and similar health conditions it’s incredibly important to maintain a positive outlook on life. It’s not always easy but we’ve got to try."
Stephanie O'Brien
"Living with MS gives you an understanding that cannot always be captured through clinical data alone. It is the daily reality, the fatigue, the uncertainty, the cognitive changes, the emotional load, and the need to adapt constantly.
Being part of the advisory board allows me to bring that lived experience into the conversation in a meaningful way. For me, it is about helping to make sure that research is not only evidence based, but also human-centred."
Cathal O'Gara
"Being involved in the MS group helps give people living with MS and their family members a voice. The invisible illness needs to be more visible to educate society about the impact of MS on each person who has it".