As part of the campaign for MS research and vital services, MS Ireland is calling on people to help Kiss Goodbye to MS throughout the month of May. For more information, visit kissgoodbyetoms.ie

And that’s the moment I thought my life was over. Without horses, it wasn’t worth living.

So I decided, no, I will prove them all wrong. And I began training really hard to learn how to control my body again. I started to work with Brian Murray, who is a strength and performance specialist based at the Institute of Technology in Carlow. After I left hospital, he took over my rehab and working with him was the foundation that led to me being able to walk around normally and, in turn, get back to doing what I love doing.

He changed my life by teaching me about conscious proprioception — how to be aware of my body and how it moves — and taught me to adapt and accept my new body. Without him, I never would have achieved this.

In April 2016, I returned to competitive showjumping and that was thanks to my hero and guardian angel — my uncle, the showjumper Edward Doyle. Without his support, patience and encouragement, I wouldn’t be here today.

Getting back on a horse was not straightforward. I had this new body to contend with which, at the best of times, did not like co-operating. The lack of feeling in my hands and legs and my balance issues were a continuous battle for me. It was like learning how to ride all over again.

Even the simplest thing like getting up on a horse is a momentous task and something I can never take for granted.

I have to take an extra moment to ground myself and ensure I have control over my body and my balance before attempting to mount.

In November 2015, and again in November 2016, I received my immune suppressant drug to try and halt the MS. All drugs come with side-effects and this drug was very strong, so the risks were high.

In April 2017, I suffered kidney failure and was diagnosed with Goodpasture syndrome, which is another auto-immune disease. I spent a long time in hospital, but after being so critically ill and nearly dying, the time passed by very quickly. Today, I am on dialysis three days a week and when I am disease-free for six months, I can get a kidney transplant.

Life for me now is very different than it was just a few years ago. There are times I feel like I am just existing, but not really living.

But I can still ride, even though I was told that I couldn’t get back in the saddle before having a transplant.

Thankfully, with the unwavering support of my family, I managed to defy the odds and a few weeks ago I competed in my first show in nearly a year.

It is a total struggle physically, but horses are what keep me fighting. I am not going to lie — I cry after every show at the moment because I am so frustrated with my body. If having to contend with the MS symptoms was not enough, I now have the added struggle of being so unbelievably weak.

When I am in the ring, I feel like I am gasping for air, because kidney failure affects your lung capacity and also your body’s ability to carry oxygen to your other organs and muscles.

I feel very lucky to be back riding, but I am a perfectionist at heart, so I find this constant battle with my body very frustrating.

But the support from my uncle Edward and my dad and brother helps — they really understand how I feel, they keep me so positive and give me so much encouragement and support to keep fighting. It takes an army to keep all the broken pieces together.

Since being diagnosed with MS there are days I feel as though I have lost everything. Firstly, everything I had worked so hard for and dreamed of, and then my health.

I sometimes do not even recognise myself any more — it feels as though my body is not my own.

But there is one very important thing that I have learnt along the way. Anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

MS may have thought it had me, but it does not. I will always fight it and I will always win. Do you take regular exercise and if so, what?

The only exercise I take is walking and hiking the Mourne Mountains in my role as a mountain leader with Walkthemournes.com. This can be up to 12 miles a day carrying a 10kg rucksack so, when I get home, hitting the gym is the last thing on my mind.

What’s the worst illness you have had?

I have been very fortunate not to have suffered any significant illness to date and I can only hope this continues to be the case.

How healthy is your diet?

I consider my diet to be quite healthy. I watch my salt intake and try to stay off the crisps and sweets with just the occasional treat. For breakfast I usually have porridge with some added flax, sunflower and pumpkin seeds with a good dollop of honey. When I’m out in the mountains this will keep me going until lunchtime. Lunch is a sandwich on ciabatta bread or some fruit loaf (below) with jam as these provide really great fuel for the mountains. I am very lucky that my wife Siobhan is an excellent cook and I’m spoiled every evening when we sit down with our kids for dinner.

Any bad habits?

I’m pretty certain I have absolutely no bad habits whatsoever but everyone else in the family has a different opinion! They have quite the list which includes going to bed too late, getting up too early, whistling, leaving books all over the place etc, etc, but sure nobody’s perfect... though their list does seem to be growing.

Do you drink and/or smoke — if so, how much?

I like the occasional glass of red wine, purely for medicinal purposes of course. I quit smoking about 15 years ago and can safely say it was worth the two years of hell I went through to get off them. It was life changing for me and I wouldn’t be enjoying the mountains today if I was still smoking.

Do you take any health supplements?

I take glucosamine sulphate tablets and cod liver oil capsules. Being on the mountains all the time I find these help to keep my knees in working order.

How do you take time out?

I like to read, particularly books relating to the mountains such as how to identify plants, and I am also interested in the geology of the Mourne Mountains. I also like to kayak around the shores of Carlingford Lough and this is something I find very relaxing.

How well do you sleep? Thankfully I sleep like the proverbial log. I usually get to bed at about 12.30 or 1am and am asleep about 30 seconds later. My alarm goes at 6.15am and I hit the snooze for five minutes before getting up.

Do you worry about getting old?

I worry about NOT getting old! The only thing that concerns me about getting old is I that keep thinking of things I want to do, and I’d probably need to live until I’m 150 to fit them all in.

What is your go-to product/ habit that keeps you feeling healthy?

My go-to is the Mourne Mountains — the work I do with Walkthemournes.com, leading groups and individuals in the mountains, keeps me physically healthy. This work also helps to keep me mentally healthy as I enjoy researching for information to pass on to the clients and it’s very satisfying to see the positive effect walking and hiking in the mountains has on people.

The three-day Mourne International Walking Festival will provide walks of varying distances and difficulties for walkers of all ages and abilities. For more information log on to www.visit mournemountains.co.uk and to register search ‘Mourne Walking Festival’ at www.eventbrite.co.uk