Finding light in a tough diagnosis
When Mim Greene was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) nearly seven years ago, she didn’t just gain a medical condition — she gained a waking reminder of how fragile and unpredictable life can be. What began as a personal health crisis soon evolved into a broader journey of acceptance, resilience, and love. Now living in Portobello, Dublin, after years in Drogheda, Mim found a steadfast source of comfort in an unlikely place: a rescue cat named Kismet.
“He is my family”: the healing power of a pet
“He is my family. He is absolutely fabulous, but you know, he can’t do the shopping or put out the bins,” Mim says with a smile that belies the severity of her condition. For someone navigating fatigue, memory loss, and mobility issues, Kismet offers consistent companionship and a sense of purpose. The bond began when Mim adopted him from the DSPCA. He was nine years old at the time, and his name soon came to be a signpost of fate — a little linguistic echo of the life they would share together.
A diagnosis that reshaped daily life
Ms Greene recalls a time before diagnosis when her symptoms were misunderstood or dismissed. “I fell down the stairs, I would be walking across the road and my legs would give way.” She faced comments that she was overweight or that MS symptoms would ease with weight loss. After years of misinterpretation, she received a formal MS diagnosis. The road since has been about adaptation: managing fatigue, memory lapses, and the emotional burden of a disease that has no one-size-fits-all treatment.
What keeps her going?
Beyond Kismet’s gentle presence, Mim credits a background in transpersonal psychology for helping her cope. “If the doctor had listened, I would still most likely be riding my bicycle,” she reflects, acknowledging loss while choosing to focus on the positive. Her resilience is tested daily by the realities of MS, including the limitation that prevents her from continuing her previous work as a therapist. Yet the cat’s companionship acts as a daily reminder that life can still be meaningful and joyful.
Companionship and practical limits
Greene has become part of a community where she must manage without family support nearby. Her brother moved to Donegal during the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving Mim to navigate MS largely on her own. In this context, Kismet’s affection is not just emotional support; it’s a steady, reliable presence in a life that can feel isolating. Mim’s love for cats runs deep; she values their instinctive judgment, their self-care, and their cuddles as a source of comfort during darker days.
Healthcare support that makes a difference
The Irish Blue Cross has been essential to keeping Kismet healthy. With MS limiting Mim’s ability to afford regular veterinary care, the charity’s low-cost clinics and mobile units have kept Kismet on the path to wellness. The organization serves multiple Dublin areas and is currently facing a long waiting list of over 1,400 pets. Their work underpins the belief that pets and parents alike deserve access to compassionate care, regardless of income.
Hope, love, and a shared future
Kismet’s health challenges — including kidney disease and a heart murmur — remind Mim that care is a two-way street: she tends to him as he tends to her. As the Irish Blue Cross points out, animals provide essential emotional support, strengthening mental health and daily resilience for their owners. For Mim and Kismet, the bond isn’t just about comfort; it’s a daily act of hope in a world that can feel unforgiving.
Conclusion: a life redefined by care and connection
From a rescue cat whose name she believes was fate to a community-supported care network that keeps a pet healthy and by her side, Mim Greene’s story is a testament to the healing power of animals. “I am a cat lady and I’m completely fine with that,” she says, a simple statement that carries the weight of a life rebuilt around love, resilience, and the unwavering companionship of Kismet.
