ON THE COUCH:Anne Winslow is the chief executive of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland.
Family/personal:
Children Daryl (20) and Clare (18). Partner, Martin.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Mary Robinson who, as a human rights advocate, successfully used the law as an instrument of social change. I admire her vision and courage in facing human rights challenges, her legal knowledge, deep intellect and her political experience. I also admire the people I have met in my work who go beyond the call of duty to help others.
What do you regard as the top three problems facing Ireland's health system?
Inequality and inequity of access and inadequate resourcing, particularly of neurology and auxiliary services for people with MS and other chronic neurological conditions. The need for greater promotion and resourcing of health-prevention strategies and healthy living lifestyle. Finally, the need for greater recognition and meaningful engagement with the not-for-profit and voluntary services providers and advocacy agencies.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Holidays and travel.
What is your most unhealthy habit?
Not always allowing myself a good work-life balance.
How do you relax?
Dinner and wine with my partner, Martin, family and friends. I also enjoy reading.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Martin, family, close friends and colleagues, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, David Norris, Helen Mirren, Miriam O'Callaghan and the cast of Cheers.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
On a professional level, the availability of accessible and appropriate services, treatments and interventions for people with multiple sclerosis and their families. On a personal level, that I recover fully from breast cancer and enjoy time on a beach where the sun is shining and I am with Martin, Clare, Daryl, close friends and family and my dogs.
What trait do you most value in your friends?
Good listening skills, loyalty, kindness, sense of humour and fairness.
What talent would you most like to have?
To have a good singing voice and to play an instrument.
Do you use alternative/complementary medicines or therapies?
I use complementary therapies with conventional medicine.
What is your earliest memory?
Flying from Cork to Birstol in the early 1960s and asking my parents to make the plane land so I could get off.
What is your most treasured possession?
My children. Items of sentimental value are photographs, an antique couch and paintings.
What other career might you have chosen?
I've always fancy flying aircrafts, but realistically maybe something in tourism.
What books or films have inspired you?
Books that have inspired me are Full Catastrophe Living: How to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditationby John Kabat Zin and Bill Bryson's A Full History of Everything. I found the film My Left Footinspirational.
In conversation with Fiona Tyrrell