6th November 2000
In the National Interest I went out to watch the Dublin Marathon and cheer on those who must put mortification of the flesh high on their list of pleasures. It was an appalling day - rain, wind and icy cold. Apparently, or so a man from South California told me, the Marathon Organisers assure would-be runners that hundreds and thousands of us would be out on the streets yelling and whooping it up in a most un-Irish way. His wife was one of those running around in the rain. Since he asked me for directions back to the Burlington Hotel after about ten minutes watching, I don't think he was too committed to her running career!
The difference between those in the first clutch, (those who were after the prizes), the middle group who were serious if not fast runners and those who made up the long, long tail was remarkable. At the front were the three much fancied Kenyans and about a dozen other men and then, to my amazement, Sonia O'Sullivan. Like everyone else I hadn't known she was running and there she was positively flying along. In the middle group were men and women who were talking to the people around them when they had reached the ten mile stage, where I was watching, as though they were out for a stroll in the country. I heard one man ask another as they went round the corner into Wellington Road, "Well, how old are you, anyway?" Both, I would say, were in their fifties.
Having encouraged the fleet-footed around the corner to Baggott Street, frozen with the cold I walked down to Northumberland Road to see how those at the tail were doing on their way out to Belfield. Sweaters, tee shirts were being fired off. I brought home a discarded National Children's Hospital sweater. Having spent part of my medical career there I could hardly leave it on the ground. It can be reclaimed from me following suitable identification. There was a platoon of soldiers or FCA with huge packs on their backs. I saw Indians, Cowboys, Celtic Tigers and not all were athletes of the first order. Psychedelic runners trudged along and this was at the three mile stage.
It was as well that foolish woman, whom I will refer to as M.E.S., was not there because the wheelchair competitors were having a tough time with the wind and the winner of that group, Gerard Connolly, said he was very disappointed with his time. That same foolish woman who has repeatedly shown her intolerance of refugees, travellers, and athletes who aren't in her ideal peak of condition has even written unkind words about me, so we might be better to ignore her. Perhaps she is like Winnie the Pooh, a person, as opposed to a bear, of little brain.
Sonia O'Sullivan need not worry yet but these mornings, in the interest of the better BMI and because it is so enjoyable, I try to get out for an hour's walking around Dublin 2, 4 and 6. I'm off up or down the canal inspecting the duck, swan and waterhen population, down in St. Stephen's Green or Merrion Square giving directions to Argentinians and other tourists or in Herbert Park looking for judges walking dogs.
I would recommend a walk as a great way to start the day no matter where you live. But I hope others will not have to experience one of the sights I regularly encounter, that is people sleeping rough in this land which we are repeatedly told by members of the Government is "awash with money". Particularly along by the canal near Baggot Street Bridge there are people sleeping out. They have pink blankets and cardboard for cover. One particular group has now acquired a tent, which is a help. I recognise this group because they have been beside the canal for years. Now I know we cannot compel people to sleep in nice cosy beds and those who run hostels can have great difficulty in helping people with psychiatric illness or alcohol or drug addicts but surely we could do more to prevent people getting into this terrible situation.
The Office for Health Gain has published a booklet entitled 'Homelessness' and with the subtitle 'Is There a Better Response'? There has to be. We do know that homeless people can be divided into two broad categories, those who are poor and have some crisis in their lives such as eviction or the breakdown of a marriage and those who have long term chronic disabilities such as mental illness and alcoholism. In a recent survey it was reckoned that 29% of the users of homeless services suffer alcohol dependence and a further 27% poor mental health. Mental illness and alcoholism should be treated as the medical priorities they are. Many working in the area of mental health bemoan the lack of preventative services in both the development of alcoholism and in the early treatment of mental illness.
Looking at the Mental Health Bill, now before the Dáil, I don't see a great emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The section on adolescence and children is particularly weak. Knowing the high level of psychiatric illness among prisoners I believe this part of the Bill has not been developed, too. Patients with mental illness do not appear to have a statutory right to treatment. Conditions which may initially be easily hidden, and not as obvious as loss of limbs, can make people much more disabled than those who went flying past me in their wheelchairs in the Dublin Marathon.
Senator Mary Henry, MD
