Summary: A feline lifeline for a woman with MS
When Mim Greene, who lives with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), first saw rescue cat Kismet, she felt an instant, almost fateful connection. “When I saw he had my name written in his stripes, it really was fate,” she says. The bond began in Drogheda, but it was in Portobello, Dublin, where the two have built a daily source of hope for Greene over the past seven years since her MS diagnosis.
Greene adopted Kismet from the DSPCA when he was nine years old, a rescue that arrived at a time when her own health was deteriorating. Her MS diagnosis came almost seven years ago, though she believes symptoms had been present much longer. “I fell down the stairs, I would be walking across the road and my legs would give way and strangers would have to pick me up and drag me off as traffic was coming towards me,” she recalls, describing the early, frightening days of her journey.
Facing a difficult truth with resilience
Initially, Greene sought medical answers and faced well-meaning but misguided judgments. A GP told her she was “too old for MS,” and doctors attributed her symptoms to weight. In a bid to regain control, she undertook a drastic weight loss, shedding three stone, only to find the struggle with mobility remained. “As one of my friends said, you don’t get MS until you get MS. It goes into every area from your life. It’s a really horrible disease,” she says. Despite the setbacks and a limited treatment landscape for her form of MS, Greene has chosen to remain hopeful and proactive about her mental health and daily life.
The role of Kismet in daily life
“He [Kismet] is my family. He is absolutely fabulous, but you know, he can’t do the shopping or put out the bins,” Greene notes with warmth. The cat’s companionship offers far more than warmth; it provides a steady emotional anchor as she navigates fatigue, memory challenges, and the isolation that can accompany chronic illness. Her training in transpersonal psychology has also framed her approach to living with MS, helping her stay connected to purpose and meaning despite the disease’s disruptions.
A medical lifeline and a financial hurdle
Greene’s ability to care for Kismet has been impacted by her own health and finances. After leaving the professional life she loved due to cognitive and memory difficulties, she has relied on disability support. Vet bills, however, presented a real obstacle. In this space, the Irish Blue Cross has been a crucial ally. The animal welfare charity provides low-cost veterinary care in Dublin and surrounding areas, helping low-income pet owners access essential treatment. Kismet’s kidney disease and a heart murmur have required ongoing attention, yet Greene credits the charity for enabling continued care that would have otherwise been out of reach.
The Irish Blue Cross and community support
Since 1945, the Irish Blue Cross has offered clinics and mobile units across Cabra, Tallaght, Crumlin, Blanchardstown, Ballyfermot, Ballybrack, Smithfield, Walkinstown, Finglas, and Whitehall. The charity reports its services are heavily in demand, with clinics and mobile units “overwhelmed” and a growing waiting list. Through initiatives like the #MoreTime campaign, donors and volunteers help keep pets with their families while easing the burden on pets’ health. Paul Halpin, the charity’s fundraising manager, emphasizes that pets can deliver “incredibly positive” effects on owners’ health and well-being, a sentiment Greene would wholeheartedly agree with from her own life with Kismet.
How Kismet shapes Greene’s outlook
For Greene, Kismet is not just a companion; he is a bridge to optimism in the face of MS challenges. “Animals are so fundamental to people’s health,” she explains, describing the daily comfort, affection, and routine that Kismet brings. He remains a constant, affectionate presence, a reminder of joy even when symptoms grow heavy. Her personal belief in the healing potential of animal companionship resonates with her broader understanding of MS, a disease she knows all too well while choosing to focus on moments of connection and care.
A life enlarged by love and care
As Kismet nears health concerns of his own—kidney disease and a heart murmur—Greene remains grateful for the support she’s received. Her brother’s relocation to Donegal during the Covid-19 pandemic has left her with fewer nearby family members, making Kismet’s companionship even more essential. “I’m a cat lady and I’m completely fine with that,” she says with a smile. In a world where MS can make life feel isolating, her rescue cat offers a reassuring, steady presence that helps her stay positive and connected to the family she values so deeply.
