NIALL AND GILLIAN QUINN JOIN YOUNG MEMBERS TO LAUNCH

Transcription

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spokeout
Lifestyle magazine for people with limited mobility published by the Irish Wheelchair Association
€4.00
Winter 2009
Little angels
NIALL AND GILLIAN QUINN JOIN YOUNG
MEMBERS TO LAUNCH ANGEL CAMPAIGN
Getting a second chance
A passion for fishing
Adapting your vehicle
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Contents
COVER FEATURE:
LIVING
4 Little Angels
Niall and Gillian Quinn join young
members for the national launch of
the 2009 Angel Campaign
30 Transport and travel
Transport allowances for people
with disabilities
6 Angels around the country
Snapshots from regional Angel
Campaign launches
CEO’s MESSAGE
32 Winter wonderland
Seasonal gardening advice
35 Energy efficiency at home
Grants and free programmes
available to help improve energy
efficiency
9 CEO’s Christmas message
Kathleen Mc Loughlin provides an
update on recent developments and
36 Getting in gear
plans for the 50th Anniversary
IWA film answers questions facing
motorists with disabilities
MOTORING
CARTOONS
10 New Year’s resolutions
A cartoon take on those unrealistic
New Year’s resolutions
FEATURES
13 Gift-wrapped ideas
Novel gift ideas for friends and
family
16 A second chance
Kathleen Poff talks about her
incredible seven-year recovery
from a brain haemorrhage
19 Silver lining
Gary Allen tells us why he is
refusing to get consumed by the
bad news stories
39 This space has a face
Film and poster campaign highlights need for considerate use of
accessible parking spaces
40 Guide to petrol stations with
attendant service
A handy list of stations
across the country that
offer attendant service
SPORTS
NEWS
45 News mix
Disability-related news mix
46 A taste of France
Teacher assistantship programme
in France
47 Youth news
Youth news mix
49 Opening of Leo Close
apartments
Snapshots from the official
opening
50 Regional snapshots
What’s going on at IWA centres
around the country
53 Word wars
Clontarf Resource Centre’s
‘Thursday Morning Scrabble
Group’
20 Hooked
How Mossy Breakell re-discovered
his love of angling
ACCESS
54 IWA car and home insurance
schemes
Savings for staff and members
with special IWA insurance
schemes
23 A quick guide to accessible
private bathrooms
Pointers on designing a fully
accessible bathroom
TRAVEL
REGULARS
25 Ozzie adventures
Kiara Lynch takes off on a 10-week
tour of Australia and New Zealand
27 Holidaying at home
Accessible accommodation in
Ireland
13
43 Getting stronger
The mind-body benefits of
becoming a regular gym user
4
55 Your views
Letters to the editor
49
13
56 Crossword
Crossword No 6 by Gordius
56 Small ads
Sell on items or pick up a bargain
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introduction
elcome to the winter
issue of Spokeout.
Free inside is a wall
planner featuring
some of the best Spokeout
cartoons from recent years. The
calendar was produced to celebrate IWA’s 50th
Anniversary in 2010, and we hope the cartoons will
bring a smile to your face over the coming year.
Our cover features Gillian Quinn with young IWA
member Oisin Putt at the launch of IWA’s festive
Angel Campaign. Inside, we have several human
interest stories, including an interview with Kathleen
Poff, who tells us about her slow recovery from a
severe brain haemorrhage and her joy at being able
to re-connect with her family and friends.
We also have Christmas gift ideas, a guide to
designing an accessible bathroom, and – in
response to several reader requests – a list of
service stations that provide attendant service.
Wishing you all a happy Christmas and peaceful
New Year.
W
MEET SOME OF
S…
OUR CONTRIBUTOR
Kiara Lynch
Editorial assistant Kiara Lynch loves reading,
music and the cinema. She’s currently off
having an Aussie-style Christmas on a 10week back-packing trip around Australia
and New Zealand. She explains why she felt
it was the right time to go travelling and gives an honest
account of the issues she faced when planning the trip.
Fred Price
Fred Price has written a couple of articles for
the News of the World and also published a
book review in The Irish Times. Fred writes
short stories and is part of a writers group at
Newpark Comprehensive School in
Blackrock. He also enjoys volunteering in St Vincent de
Paul. He is involved with Eye Contact Art group, which
meets every Saturday in the Cheshire Home in Monkstown,
Co Dublin. This year he managed to sell his first two
paintings and a sketch of Christ Church.
Johnny Connaughton
Spokeout on CD and tape
Spokeout is now available on both tape and CD. If you would
like to receive Spokeout in either of these formats, please
contact Colette Molloy on 01 818 6485 or [email protected]
Editor
Joanna Marsden
Cover picture
Leon Farrell, Photocall Ireland
Editorial Assistance
Kiara Lynch, Colette Molloy
Distribution
Shanahan Direct
Editorial Design Manager
Layla Hogan
Joint Managing Directors, Dyflin
Karen Hesse, Philip McGaley
Design this issue
Nuala Redmond
Editorial enquiries to:
The Editor, Spokeout, Irish
Wheelchair Association,
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
Tel: (00 353) 1 818 6455
Email: [email protected]
Advertising and Marketing
Design Manager
Diarmuid O’Connor
Advertising Production
Co-ordinator
Amina Ferradj
Advertising Production
Ciaran McBride
Advertising Executive
Dara Gallagher
Printing
W&G Baird
Cartoons
Johnny Connaughton
recycle
When you have finished with
this magazine please recycle it.
2
Advertising enquiries to:
Dyflin Publications Ltd
Cunningham House
130 Francis Street, Dublin 8
Tel: (00 353) 1 4167930
Spokeout is published by Dyflin
Publications on behalf of I.W.A.
Limited. The copyright rests with
IWA and no material may be
reproduced without the
permission of IWA. The views
expressed in the publication
do not necessarily represent
the views of IWA.
Spokeout is distributed
quarterly by post to 19,500 IWA
members and to Government
bodies and other disability
interest groups.
ISSN NO: 1393-8517
Johnny Connaughton, our cartoonist, is a
also a designer and art director. After working
in advertising and design in London and
South East Asia for many years, he now lives
in Dublin. He tries to show, through the
medium of cartoons, the various absurd situations wheelchair
users have to put up with in their day-to-day life.
Robbie Cousins
Robbie Cousins writes for a broad range of
publications and websites. As a contributor
to Spokeout, he has highlighted issues of
concern to members as well as reporting on
the varied interests and hobbies of members
around the country. In this issue, he learns some of Mossy
Breakell's fishing secrets and offers some tips on grants and
schemes available to make your home more energy
efficient.
Gary Allen
Gary Allen lives in Galway with his wife, and
his four cats and two dogs. He works as a
web developer and in his free time enjoys
sailing, scuba diving and watching cricket. In
this issue, Gary dares to suggest that the
recession is not all bad news as it gives us an opportunity to
separate our needs from our wants!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Please send your name, the name of your organisation (if applicable),
address and telephone number, with a cheque or postal order for €15.00
(payable to IWA) to: Spokeout subscriptions, Irish Wheelchair
Association, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3.
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Niall and Gillian with Oisin (left) and Darragh (right)
LITTLE ANGELS
Niall Quinn and his wife Gillian kicked off IWA’s Angel Campaign with the
help of three ‘little angels’
ngel Day, The Irish Wheelchair Association’s annual fundraiser, took place during the second
week of November and was launched by former
international footballer and current chairman of
Sunderland AFC, Niall Quinn, and his wife Gillian, whose
glamorous new look has been grabbing headlines in recent
times.
Niall and Gillian posed for the press photographers with
three young IWA members, five-year-old Darragh O’Regan
from Cork, six-year old Edel Morissey from Co Laois and
seven-year-old Oisín Putt from Dublin.
Darragh goes to Glentane Primary School, Mallow, and
loves playing rugby and basketball at weekends with the
IWA Junior Sports Club. When Darragh’s schoolmates and
teachers heard about the Angel launch, Darragh was given
A
4
the honour of bringing the school mascot ‘Len’ up to Dublin
for the day.
Edel, who is in senior infants at Sacred Heart, Portlaoise,
likes badminton and basketball, and also enjoys playing with
her friend Martha and her cat ‘Sibby’. Edel admitted she was
very excited about meeting Niall and Gillian Quinn, and
about wearing her lovely angel outfit. “It feels like I’m getting
married!” she exclaimed.
Oisín is a pupil at Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna, where he particularly enjoys art classes, learning the tin whistle and is a
fluent Irish speaker. Sports fan Oisín follows both GAA and
soccer and was delighted to meet the legendary Niall Quinn.
He decided to take the opportunity to ask Niall for a ticket to
the Ireland match, and was overwhelmed when Niall and
Gillian offered to bring all three little angels and their families
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feature
Niall and Darragh, with
Darragh’s school mascot
‘Len’
Gillian and Edel
Edel straightens
Oisin’s tie
Niall and Gillian with the three little angels and their families
to Sunderland for the final game of the season.
Once the pictures were taken, the angels and their families
sat around and chatted with Niall and Gillian. Everyone
agreed that the famous couple couldn’t have been nicer.
Following the launch, the adorable IWA Angel Pins –
including a new design for 2009 – and Angel Pencils went on
sale nationwide for €2. The monies raised will help to fund
services for the 20,000 IWA members throughout Ireland.
Speaking about this year’s campaign, CEO Kathleen
McLoughlin commented,
“Our Angel Campaign allows us to generate the funds to
provide essential resources and services to many people
with disabilities. Our members rely on us for services such
as personal assistants to support them in their daily living.
In these tight times, with reduced funding sources, we
are doing our very best to avoid cutting the services we
provide.”
“I’d like to thank Niall and Gillian Quinn, and our gorgeous
little angels and their families, for entering into the spirit of the
campaign and helping us attract the attention of the media
and public,” Kathleen added.
The Angel Pins and Pencils, which cost €2 each, are being
sold by a network of volunteers in towns and cities throughout the country.
The pins are distributed courtesy of DPD Ireland, the national courier service, who generously supports this worthwhile campaign.
For further information, or to donate online, please contact
The Irish Wheelchair Association on 01 818 6400 or
www.iwa.ie
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ANGELS AROUND THE COUNTRY
As well as the national launch, many regional photocalls and events were
held to celebrate the Angel Campaign
Limerick ‘Angels’ Nicole Collins, Emma
McMahon and Roisin Kiely attended the
launch in Phoenix Lodge, Sarsfield Park
William Shortall, Ennis, at the Angel launch .
Picture courtesy of The Clare Champion
Cork Ladies Football team member Nollaig
Cleary, who is an ambassador for IWA, with
Alanna Deane, Midleton, at the Cork launch
Jenny Flynn and Cian Gavigan, Creggs, at the
launch in Cuisle
Cuisle volunteers, friends and staff at the launch
Nollaig Cleary catches
angels with Cathal
O’Neill, Cork City, at the
launch
Colin Ryan (back right), Star Forward with the
Under 21 Clare Hurling Team, giving a helping
hand to Ennis Resource Centre members
John Blake (back left), Gerry McInerney (front
left) and Sean Naughton (front right). Picture
courtesy of The Clare Champion
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ceo’s message
SEASON’S GREETINGS
TO ALL OUR READERS
Kathleen Mc Loughlin, CEO, reflects on the achievements of
2009, the current economic challenges, and looks forward to
celebrating IWA’s 50th annivesary in 2010
ach year is unique with its opportunities
funding front. This will make the challenges for next
and obstacles – 2009 proved to be no ex- year even greater than this year and I must honception. While the challenges were like
estly tell you that cutbacks in services may benone seen before, the commitment and
come inevitable. If that does become a reality, then
work of IWA staff, volunteers and members has
I will be relying on the support of every member to
seen us come to the end of this most extraordinary fight back against such a situation.
year, still making progress. Yes, the progress has
On a more positive note, our Angel Campaign is
slowed in some areas – €1m less in our financial
coming to a close and the indications are that it
allocation from the HSE certainly did not make our
has been another successful year. My sincerest
work easier. But we
thanks to all of you who
remained determined
helped in any way. I know
throughout the year to
that the weather was parcontinue to provide servticularly
bad in some
“It’s time to have
ices and supports of the
areas of the country so a
some fun and to
highest possible standard
special thanks to those
to all our members and
who were frozen or
share our experiences
service users, and we
soaked to the skin! Also I
and memories of this
have succeeded. This did
must mention Niall and
not happen by accident,
Gillian Quinn, who were
incredible organisation
it happened because
so gracious and so supthat has impacted
everyone in the organisaportive of the campaign.
so dramatically on
tion worked together to
They were particularly
make it happen. Budgets
generous with the time
the shape of Irish
were cut to the minimum,
they gave to our beautiful
society, and the lives
every cent of expenditure
IWA angels, Edel, Oisín
was monitored, every
and Darragh, and I hope
of people with
fundraising opportunity
some time we may be
disabilities in Ireland”
was availed of and everyable to return the support
one gave of their best to
in some way.
make sure our ambition
Our upcoming 50th anbecame a reality. Above everything else, we all
niversary is also something to be celebrated, and I
share a common purpose, which is to see imhope you will all join in the many events running at
provements in the lives of people with disabilities;
local and national level to mark this occasion. You
we must hold on to this determination and concan keep up to date on what’s happening right
tinue, despite the obstacles, to remain focused on
around the country through our website
this shared vision.
www.iwa.ie or through your local IWA office. It’s
As I write this piece, I await the outcome of the
time to have some fun and to share our experiBudget. As no details are to hand at this time, we
ences and memories of this incredible organisation
will reserve a space for a full analysis in our next
that has impacted so dramatically on the shape of
edition. I have no crystal ball but I think we have to
Irish society, and the lives of people with disabilities
be prepared for some further bad news on the
in Ireland.
E
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NEW YEAR’S
RESOLUTIONS
As the year draws to a close, we usually
find ourselves thinking of all the things
we should have done over the
past year, and resolving to
Try not to move and I’ll be
put everything right in the
back in 20 minutes
year ahead. The inevitable
result is an overly-ambitious
list of New Year’s resolutions…
CARTOONS BY JOHNNY CONNAUGHTON
10
Is this a test to see
if I’ll try a Houdini act to
have a cigarette?
Is this a test to see
if I’ll try a Houdini act to
have a cigarette?
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cartoons
Fabulous Fashions
Hmm the fabulous
handbag or heat
Hmm thefor
fabulous
a month?
handbag or heat
for a month?
e85
3 weeks later…..
The things I do
for fashion!
Xtreme Fitness Gym
How long until I
look like her?
Life was so
much easier
After 6 months of daily
intensive training
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feature
GIFT-WRAPPED IDEAS
It’s always a struggle to find the perfect gift for friends and family.“They
have everything!”“They won’t use that!” But don’t despair, Kiara Lynch
has found some products which are guaranteed to please!
WII MOTIONPLUS
Experience golfing as you would on a
course, hitting the ball into the trees;
give wakeboarding a try; or see how
accurate your arm is in archery. Most
importantly, have fun! The Wii MotionPlus accessory plugs into the base of
the Wii remote controller and makes it
more responsive to your movements.
The Wii MotionPlus accessory comes
with certain games such as Wii Sports
Resort. Available at approx €24.99
from a range of suppliers, including
Smyth’s Toy Stores nationwide,
online at www.toys.ie or at
www.gamesnash.com
RUGBY
GLOVES
An alternative to bulky,
cumbersome wheelchair
gloves, these rugby gloves
are made from a strong but
moveable nylon and have an elastic wristband, making them easier to get on and off.
‘Grippy' fabric on the palms of the glove provides
better grip while pushing or
braking going down slopes. Canterbury Pro Grip
Rugby Mitt Navy and Rugbytech Gripper 2
Glove 05 are available, at €10 and €13
respectively, from Elvery Sports outlets
nationwide or www.buy4now.ie/
elverys
MICROWAVEABLE
TEDDY
BEAR
We all like a warm hug, and
now you can get one from your very own teddy bear!
These teddies are filled with treated wheat grains and
soothing lavender. Simply put them in your microwave for
two minutes to provide hours of soothing warmth and
comfort. Prices vary from €20-€30 excluding P&P. Available
from: The Real Massage Co, Dublin, Tel: 01 835 1962,
Web: www.therealmassage.ie; Bear Essentials, Bawnboy
Co Cavan, Tel: 049
952 3461 / 087 761
0537, Web:
www.bearessentials.ie; Giftmaster.ie,
Carlow,
Tel: 059 914 0010, Web:
www.giftmaster.ie; Markettown.ie, Dublin, Tel: 01 492
5876, Web: www.markettown.ie. A range of other
microwaveable teddy bears
can be purchased online
from UK websites
www.amazon.co.uk and
www.jellybears.co.uk
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feature
GIFT-WRAPPED
IDEAS
CREATIVE ZEN X-FI2
Obviously you want your mp3 player to play
mp3s, but, the X-Fi2 also allows you to
watch films, videos, and flick through your
photos all on a three-inch touch screen
display. The X-Fi2 also offers an external
speaker, a built-in microphone, a calendar, an alarm clock, an FM radio, RSS
reader support and a microSD card expansion slot for adding more memory.
The touch screen may mean this is
not an ideal gift for those with severe
co-ordination difficulties, but for those
who struggle to scroll through music
on their mp3 player, it’s an ideal
‘cool’ gift. Available in three versions: 8GB, 16GB and 32GB,
costing €119.99, €149.99 and
€199.99 respectively, from the
creative online shop
http://en.store.creative. com and
from UK website www.amazon.co.uk
LOCKLIT MINI TORCH
How often have you struggled with your door lock in
the dark? The Locklite Mini Torch turns your house
key into a torch so you don’t have to fumble around
in the dark for the lock. It fits over any standard
round-headed key (such as a Yale key) and, when
you press the pad, a three-metre shaft of LED light
shines directly ahead. Very handy indeed! Available at
approx €6.99, excluding P&P, from www.gadgetireland.com, and from UK website www.trueutility.com
COZY HANDS
REUSEABLE HAND
WARMERS
No more cold hands sitting at those football
games! Just put these Cozy Hands Reuseable
Hand Warmers in the microwave for two minutes
and then place them in your pockets to keep your
hands nice and warm. They can be reheated
thousands of times. Available at approx €39.99,
excluding P&P, from www.gadgetireland.com
14
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A SECOND CHANCE
In 2002, Kathleen Poff was placed on a life support machine after
experiencing a brain haemorrhage and her children were told to
say goodbye. Kathleen defied the odds and made a slow recovery,
although it was two years before she was fully conscious and able
to recognise her children again. She tells Joanna Marsden how lucky she
feels to have a second chance at life
n Halloween night, 2002, Kathleen Poff’s
Kathleen began to get more intensive therapy, spending pedaughter found her lying on her kitchen floor.
riods at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun
She was rushed to an intensive care unit in
Laoghaire, where she slowly regained some of her mobility
Cork. Her children were told she was in a coma
and brain function. Unfortunately, Kathleen’s hip had fused
after suffering a severe brain haemorrhage and there was
“due to lack of medical intervention at an earlier stage”, and
little hope of survival. “Of course, I know nothing about all
she remembers the terrible pain that resulted from the years
this,” says Kathleen matter-of-factly today, “Although I do
of complete immobility.
remember that in the weeks before the haemorrhage I had
Another breakthrough came following some private sesbeen having dreadful headaches and, as
sions of Reiki therapy, organised by her
a nurse, had suspected something was
daughter. “During one session, I lay on my
wrong, but medical staff wouldn’t take
stomach for the first time and started vomme seriously.”
iting. After this, my memory suddenly
Soon after the incident, she was transcame back. I was crying with delight beferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin,
cause I started to remember people and
where she had platinum coils inserted into
things I had long forgotten.”
leaking blood vessels in her brain to stem
When her memory returned, Kathleen
the bleeding. In the months and years
says this gave her children “a big lift”. She
that followed, Kathleen’s family fought to
also started to take care of her appearget her the right medical attention. “After
ance again. “Before the brain injury, I had
six months, I came out of the coma, but
always kept myself well, so when I looked
for the following two years I was like a
in the mirror and saw my face with no
vegetable. I made no sense and couldn’t
make-up and un-plucked eyebrows, I was
speak or even recognise my family.”
very upset.”
Kathleen was transferred back down to
Kathleen also began to re-build her rela“Kathleen says that tionships
Kerry General Hospital where she was to
with her children. After her hospiwhen old friends or talisation, her husband, from whom she
stay for the best part of five years. It was
there that the first breakthrough in her rehad been separated, moved back into the
neighbours see
covery took place and Kathleen’s own
family home to mind her three younger
her these days
memories begin to emerge. “At that
daughters, Sarah, Maeve and Laura. “My
stage, I was sitting in a high support type
eldest daughter, Jennifer, who is married
they comment
chair, drooling from my mouth and with
and lives locally, took over the mothering
that it is like she
no control of my bodily functions. Then
role. She has two children of her own,
one day, a musician came to the ward
Grace and Jack, and, until recently, they
has come back
and played the music to the song Dear
knew me as ‘Nanny Hospital’!”
from the dead”
Old Brosna Town – a song about my
During her time in Kerry General Hospihometown in Kerry, and I just started crytal, Kathleen linked up with local IWA Serving. One of the nurses saw me and said ‘There’s life in that
ice Co-ordinator, Terry O’Brien, who she says was
woman yet!’”
“absolutely magnificent”. “Because my situation was so bad,
To this day, Kathleen feels hugely indebted to this nurse. “I
Terry broke all the IWA rules by arranging for me to be
owe my life to her, and to my family especially my four
collected from the hospital each week so I could go to the
daughters – bless them – who saw hope and fought for me.” local resource centre.”
O
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PHOTO: RAY RYAN
feature
Kathleen today with some of her recent paintings
Terry also encouraged Kathleen to go to Cuisle where she
says she has since enjoyed several fabulous holidays. “The
second year I went, I brought one of my daughters, Sarah
(17). She had been so young when I got ill and we really
hadn’t had a chance to bond. But she decided to come with
me and, while you mightn’t think it would be the most exciting place for a young girl, she absolutely loved it. We did lots
of things together, like fishing and shopping in Athlone. We
shared a room all week and she was so good taking care of
me. It’s a week I’ll never forget.”
Eventually, in 2007, Kathleen got the opportunity to leave
hospital when ABI (Acquired Brain Injury Ireland) offered her
a place in a shared house in Limerick City, where she lives
today. “It has been a momentous change living here. When I
moved in, they gave me a book of gadgets and I picked out
the things I needed – an electric bed, a grabber, and a
handy grab rail and monkey pole to help me get in and out
of bed.” Once in Limerick, Kathleen joined the local IWA centre in Drombanna, where she has undertaken various
courses and work experience, as well as learning how to
drive again. Recently, she moved onto a two-year Applied
FETAC Level 4 course in Headway, but she still keeps up her
links with IWA, “One of the best things about IWA is the
Christmas parties – last year, the local army barracks hosted
our party and it was a great night altogether.”
Kathleen is hoping to move to IWA’s independent living accommodation in Phoenix Lodge in the near future, where
she would like to stay for a couple of years before moving
back home to Abbeyfeale, close to Brosna. “I grew up there
and I’m part of the community. I’d love to be there to see my
grandchildren go to school.” Kathleen says the hardest thing
about the past seven years has been not being able to live
with her kids – “Jennifer minds me and guides me, and often
I feel like she is more a mother to me than I am to her.”
But Kathleen also frankly admits there are up sides to her
life these days. “I have very few responsibilities, and I don’t
waste my money on anything foolish like drinking or smoking.” She also has more time to indulge her lifelong passion
for painting. “Painting is my life. When I paint, I get completely lost in it – the texture, the feel of the paints. I loved
painting before I had the haemorrhage and over the past
couple of years I’ve
got it back again –
Drombanna [Resource Centre] did
that for me. When I
first went there, they
Kathleen “in a world of her own” in
hospital in 2003
gave me the space to
paint and helped me
clean up.” Once Kathleen got going, there was no stopping
her and she has since exhibited at the Hunt Museum and
The Granary in Waterford. She particularly enjoys painting
landscapes and also painting onto large stones, which she
then varnishes and gives as presents. Although Kathleen is a
qualified nurse and also has a diploma in counselling, she
says that these days she would prefer to focus on the lighter
side of life. “I’ve had enough of all that and I’d like to do
something happy!” When she is on her course, she says she
finds herself laughing “more often than not”, and, if she was
to work again, she’d like to organise art exhibitions or work
in a gallery.
It was a moving moment for Kathleen when recently, after
over seven years, she was able to visit the grave of her
brother who had died just before she had her haemorrhage
“At the time of his death, I had painted a stone and left it beside his headstone, and when I went back to his grave, it
was still there.”
Kathleen says that when old friends or neighbours see her
these days they often comment that it is like she has come
back from the dead. Several old friendships have been rekindled. One of her friends, Mary, insists that Kathleen spend
every Christmas Day in her restored farmhouse in Clare – “If
I’ve to get a snow plough out, you’re coming’ she says!” Another old friend, Marian with whom she had lost contact long
before her illness, heard she was in hospital and came to
visit her. “Since then she has become a great friend again,
inviting me to her home regularly and taking me to Lourdes.”
Kathleen is clearly emotional about the support she has
received from her friends and family, and says she is looking
forward to the future. “I’m just so glad to have my brain back
– it’s really not too bad to be in a chair. I’m just so happy to
be here and to have a second chance at life.”
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opinion
SILVER LINING
It’s easy to get consumed by
the bad news stories and
general negativity, says Gary
Allen, but the recession is
giving us an opportunity to re-evaluate
our lives and work out what we really
need
ow are things? A simple enough question but
these days it’s one that’s likely to be answered by
a litany of problems and worries, and is it any wonThe recession is encouraging more people to grow their own veg
der? As you read this, the country is in the depths
of the greatest economic crisis since the 1930s, unemployever, I don’t actually need it. But what of the stuff I do actually
ment is hovering around a whopping 13 percent, we have no
need, such as food?
construction industry to speak of and words like ‘savage’ and
Well, there has been an explosion in recent times of people
‘unprecedented’ are being used to describe The Budget.
producing
their own food and while the back garden used to
BUT, the question I ask you to consider is, are we unnecesbe
the
domain
of plants and flowers, the vegetable patch and
sarily talking ourselves into more misery and depression and
even hens have taken over. I grew some vegetables during
does a recession such as we are in now ultimately not leave
the summer and, I know I’m biased, but they were some of
us better off when we come out the other side?
the sweetest I’ve ever tasted. (More on my self-sufficiency
Now, before you throw the magazine across the room in
drive in the next issue.)
disgust, let me clear up a couple of things. Firstly, I fully apNow, I’m lucky enough to have stayed employed up to
preciate there are hundreds of thousands of people (including
now but what about the thousands of others who have been
me) who have been severely affected by what’s going on.
made redundant with little
Secondly, let there be no mischance of being re-employed
take, I am no apologist for this
any time soon? Well, being in
Government. For what it’s
“Not having as much money
this situation has given some
worth, I feel they have been in
as I did a year ago has really
the impetus they needed to
power too long but that’s anmake the leap and start their
other conversation entirely.
crystallised for me that, while
own business. I know of several
What I’m really talking about
I might want that fancy new
examples of an entrepreneurial
here is the good things that a
spirit which might otherwise
recession can bring us. The
phone or whatever, I don’t
have never seen the light of day
what? I hear you ask. Yes, I abactually
need
it”
being kicked into life by the
solutely believe that, ultimately,
recession. In the late 1970s, a
plenty of good can come from
young man called Eddie Jordan decided to follow his passion
a recession and I also believe that none of us need get
and start a motoring racing team after being made redundant
sucked into the mire of negativity that surrounds such trying
and I don’t have to tell you where that got him.
economic times.
These are just some examples of the good that can
Since the late 1990s we have been experiencing unprececome
from our situation. I really do feel strongly about
dented growth and our expectations of what’s possible have
maintaining a positive attitude during these times. So next
increased exponentially. This is absolutely a good thing but I
time someone on the radio, TV, at work or at home begins
think a consequence of this has been the muddling up of our
to tell you how terrible things are, please don’t instantly
“wants” versus our “needs”. I and thousands of others have
agree and start to feel down. The final say has to go to
first hand experience of this in the recent past and not having
Monty Python, “Always look on the bright side of life,” beas much money as I did a year ago has really crystallised for
cause, believe me, it’s there if you look hard enough.
me that, while I might want that fancy new phone or what-
H
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HOOKED
Mossy Breakell was 11 when he got his first fishing rod, and he was
immediately ‘hooked’. Robbie Cousins discovers how, after an
enforced break, Mossy, rekindled his passion for fishing through
Cuisle Holiday Centre
n the mid-’60s, when I was 11, my parents bought
me my first fishing rod and I began fishing along the
banks of the River Severn where I grew up in the UK,”
explains Mossy Breakell. “As I got older I became quite
skillful and I began entering competitions. By the time I had
grown up I was touring the UK entering any coarse fishing
competition that would have me.” Coarse fishing involves
fishing for fish such as bream, perch carp, pike, roach, etc,
as opposed to game fishing for trout, salmon, etc.”
Mossy continues: “Fishing became a passion. But it wasn’t just about the fishing itself. It was about all that went
with it: the knowledge of rivers and surrounding wildlife, the
banter and camaraderie with other anglers, and the little
tricks and skills that you could pick up along the way. This
all combined to make fishing my lifetime passion.”
Unfortunately for Mossy when he was in his mid-40s –
then settled and living in Ireland – the debilitating nature of
his MS meant that he had to start using a wheelchair fulltime. This made fishing impossible for him, or so he thought.
He explains: “When I was more able-bodied I worked as
a PA for IWA and I would have visited Cuisle Holiday Centre occasionally. I had no absolutely idea that just down the
road from the holiday centre was a magnificent all-inclusive
fishing facility.”
I
“
Mossy Breakell (centre) admires his catch with John Ryan
(left), Shannon Regional Fisheries Board Inspector, and Bill
Cassidy (right), Angling Instructor
20
The fishing facility that Mossy is referring to is not actually
on the Cuisle grounds, but about 2kms away from the centre. It was developed by Shannon Fisheries project and is
managed by assistant fisheries inspector John Ryan, in
conjunction with IWA. It was envisaged as a facility that
would be accessible to all.
Mossy continues: “About four years back, I discovered
that the Cuisle Centre was offering fishing as an activity. I
only live 30 miles away, so I got in touch and was on the
road as soon as they would have me.”
Mossy met Bill Cassidy, Cuisle’s invaluable angling advisor, who Mossy explains is much more than an angling advisor because “he ensures that no matter what disability a
person has, they are made as comfortable as possible and
have everything they need.”
The first day Mossy visited Cuisle, Bill was on hand with
all the gear that was required. “From clothes to tackle, he
had everything covered and he was able to advise me on
the different depths of water and currents as well as providing other invaluable nuggets of information.”
Mossy continues.” On the first day I fished at Cuisle I
must have been quite a spectacle for the other anglers on
the river. I just sat there smiling to myself, ‘fishing again’ I
thought, ‘in all my wildest dreams I could never imagine I
would be in this position’. Incidentally, in all my wildest
dreams I could never have imagined the facilities. The foresight that went into them was, to say the least, immense.”
Mossy continues: “I didn’t catch any fish that first day. I
just sat there, watching, studying and listening, getting the
lie of the land and understanding the flow of the river. I
imagine the other fishermen must have wondered what the
hell I was up to. “But I returned within a few days and this
time I got stuck in, re-igniting my angling passion with a
vengeance. And I haven’t looked back since. I try to get
over to Cuisle at least once a week and on top of everything else, I have become part of a great community of anglers and friends.”
Mossy is a member of the Irish fishing team and has taken
part in the Cuisle International Fishing Competition over the
past couple of years. In talking about the facilities Mossy ex-
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feature
Mossy fishing at Cuisle
plains that everything has been taken care of. There are 31
accessible fishing bays or ‘pegs’. He says: “You can drive up
and park your car alongside the walkway that leads down to
the pegs. Cuisle also provide a bus for guests to make the
short journey. Each peg has ample space for a chair and PA.
Each peg also has a railing to block chairs from slipping forward in to the river.” Mossy explains that Roscommon
County Council added innovative toilet facilities to the fishing
park a couple of years back. “The two accessible toilets are
powered by wind and solar power.”
He says the whole fishing experience is completed by
the wonderful Cuisle angling advisor, Bill Cassidy. “His advice and awareness of people make the whole fishing at
Cuisle experience complete. Whether you are a first timer,
novice or experienced angler, Bill will have you catching fish
in minutes, if you want.”
In Ireland, unlike the UK, there is no fishing season. You
can fish all year round. And Cuisle facilitates anglers all year
round. You can arrange a day trip or plan a couple of days
fishing as part of your holiday at Cuisle.
Mossy concludes by saying: “My favourite place to fish is
Peg 15 as the depth at that point would appear to be ideal
for the way I fish. For somebody who is a beginner, Peg
13, 14 or 15 are all great spots where you will catch fish.
But check with Bill and take his advice.”
Mossy adds: “Of course, in addition to the fishing, the location on the river presents the perfect opportunity to observe great wildlife such as the occasional deer and birds
of prey. It really is a natural wonderland and a credit to all
those who put it together.”
FISHING FOR ALL AT CUISLE
The River Suck at Donamon is one the best fishing facilities in
the country, providing all year round angling for coarse anglers. Cuisle Holiday Centre, IWA’s national holiday centre, is
located about 2 km from the facility and provides accessible
and supported holidays to people with or without disabilities.
It is fully accessible with 35 ensuite bedrooms, dining room
with superb cuisine, and nightly entertainment in Harry's Bar.
The Donamon facility has 31 wheelchair accessible stands
with a tarmac-surfaced car park alongside. The stands were
constructed from slip-proof timber, and have safety barriers
all round them. There are solar-powered wheelchair accessible toilets and washing facilities on site.
Since the fishing stands were erected some 10 years ago,
a number of major competitions have taken place including
international matches for anglers with disabilities, which attracted teams from The Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland.
Cuisle Holiday Centre is organising a number of competi-
tions for the coming year, culminating in a grand final where
an Irish team will compete against other teams from around
Europe. Cuisle also offers packages for those who wish to
fish just for fun and relaxation. Cuisle has four buses, which
are used for the short trip to the riverbank from the holiday
centre. It also provides all the necessary fishing tackle and
gear as well as packed lunches for anglers who want to stay
out for the day. Cuisle's angling advisor, Bill Cassidy, is a top
match angler and helps out with all the local knowledge and
plenty of tips on how to bag plenty of fish. He says: “I try to
match the person to the type of fishing that would suit their
ability. People who have never fished before are often surprised at what they can achieve in just a few hours of fishing.”
The main types of fish that are caught are Roach up to 2lbs,
Bream up to 5lbs and Pike up to 30lbs.
For further details, contact Cuisle Holiday Centre Tel: 0906
662277. Email: [email protected]. Web: www.cuisle.com
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access
A QUICK GUIDE TO IWA BEST
PRACTICE ACCESS GUIDELINES:
ACCESSIBLE PRIVATE BATHROOMS
Accessible private bathroom/WC requirements can vary from person
to person. Robbie Cousins outlines some fundamentals architects
should consider when planning an accessible bathroom
What is the minimum recommended domestic requirement
for an accessible bathroom/WC?
There should be a wheelchair accessible toilet and
shower/bath room on the level used by the wheelchair user,
and preferably ensuite to their bedroom. The ceiling in the
bathroom should be sufficiently strong to hold a ceiling hoist
or allow for future installation, if required. The walls in the
bathroom should be capable of holding adaptations, such as
grab rails and shower seats. The wall reinforcements for grab
rails should be located between 300–1500mm from floor
level. All grab rails should be 35mm in diameter, 600mm
long, and contrast in colour against the background.
When an individual housing occupant is known, his/her
needs must be incorporated into the bathroom plans from
the outset through direct consultation with the occupant and
their advising Occupational Therapist.
What is the minimum space required for an accessible
bathroom?
A toilet/shower room should be a minimum of 2500mm x
2500mm. If a bath is provided, the room size should be
2700mm x 3000mm. These dimensions allow a 1800mm
turning circle. If a person uses an assisted operated mobile
hoist for transfer, the bath/shower room should be 2700mm
x 3500mm, allowing a 2300mm turning circle. This size room
will also accommodate the use of a shower trolley.
What are the minimum recommendations for showers?
A shower space should have a minimum floor area of
1500mm x 1500mm. The slope of the floor in a shower re-
IWA EXPERT TIP
“Part M of the Building Regulations may be the legal minimum
followed by architects when designing accessible bathrooms,
but when it is known who the
specific end user will be, it is essential that the architect consults with them as they
will have unique requirements.”
– Occupational Therapist, Vijoy Chakraborty
cess should have a gradient of between 1:50-1:60. Transition
into the shower recess should be level and without a step.
The showerhead should be adjustable and within the height
range of 1200–2200mm above floor level, and a 1500mm
long flexible hose is required for the showerhead. Lever controls for temperature and flow should be placed at 900mm
from the floor. Consideration should be given to the use of a
flip-up seat located on the shower wall or the use of a selfpropelling shower chair depending on individual preference.
Grab rails should be placed in line with recommendations in
the IWA Best Practice Access Guidelines (p118).
What are the recommendations for baths?
The height of a bathtub should be 480mm. The bathtub
should maintain a lip on the side adjacent to the wall to facilitate the use of a bath seat. A 400mm ledge at the end of the
bath should also be maintained. The taps used on the bath
should be lever type and easy to operate for people with limited dexterity and strength. There should be a space allowance of 150mm to facilitate a clear gap under the bathtub
to accommodate hoist feet.
What are the recommendations for WC provision?
The centre line of the toilet bowl should be 500mm from the
adjacent sidewall and finish at between 460mm to 480mm
height from the floor level. The height should be suited to the
individual user: this will require discussion. The front of the
toilet bowl should be 750mm from the back wall. A clear
space of 900mm is required on the transfer side of the toilet
bowl to accommodate space for the wheelchair to be positioned. The decision as to what side of the bowl the transfer
space should be will also require consultation. A spatulashaped flush handle should be placed on the transfer side of
the toilet bowl. A toilet paper dispenser should be within easy
reach. Grab rails should be placed in line with recommendations in the IWA Best Practice Access Guidelines (p118).
What are the recommendations for washbasin provision?
The washbasin height should be 800mm from floor to rim,
with a clear space of 700mm beneath the basin. A bathroom
mirror should start at a height of 600mm and finish at
1800mm above floor level.
For a copy of IWA Best Practice Access Guidelines, visit
www.iwa.ie or contact IWA on tel: 01 818 6400
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travel
OZZIE
ADVENTURES
Kiara Lynch has always been an ambitious traveller, sailing
the seas and visiting European cities, but this winter she is
undertaking her biggest adventure so far – a ten-week backpacking tour of Australia and New Zealand
he first mention of a warm sunny Christmas down
soon gave way to love and support, once I’d talked it
under came on a cold dark rainy February afterthrough with them.
noon earlier this year when my boyfriend Nick and
I’m not going to pretend organising this trip was easy. It
I were talking about where we wanted to visit
was hard, but not impossible. As well as planning the trip
when we ’grew up’ and had the time and money. The more itself, I had to request a leave of absence from my job with
we talked, the more it seemed now was the right time to
IWA. Everyone is different, but this is something I really
go travelling – otherwise we’d always find reasons not to.
wanted to do and I was willing to go outside my comfort
The idea of backpacking around Australia and New
zone to do it. We’ve done as much as we can to leave leeZealand for ten weeks gathered momentum after yet anway for my health, booking the most direct flights, and priother rainy Irish summer. Over the past few years a lot of
vate bedrooms in hostels in case I just need a nap. We
my family and friends have travelled to long-haul destinadidn’t want to be too tied to a schedule, mainly because I
tions, or lived in Australia for a year, and my brother Liam,
don’t know how the high temperatures will affect me, so
who is also a wheelchair user,
we haven’t planned things to
has literally travelled the
see and do everyday. We fly to
world, leaving me quite the
Sydney on the 4th November,
“Everyone is different, but
legacy to live up to. Listening
then we’re taking a road trip to
this is something I really
to all their exciting travel stoMelbourne. From there, we fly
ries, and hearing about their
to Brisbane on the 10th Dewanted to do and I was
fun, made me want to try it for
cember for a couple of weeks,
willing
to
go
outside
my
myself.
and then we start our New
By the time July came, we
Zealand trip by flying into
comfort zone to do it”
had bought our Lonely Planet
Auckland on the 22nd Decemguides, worked out a budget,
ber. We explore the North and
and made discreet enquires
South islands for two more
about access in Australia and New Zealand. We decided
weeks, and spend our final week in Queenstown before flywe were going to book our tickets in August – it was time
ing home on the 17th of January.
to tell my family! I’ve never felt like my disability has
I haven’t done this lightly, I’m well aware I have a degenstopped me trying new things, and there is no doubt in my
erative disability which means I get very tired very easily.
mind that this is largely due to my amazing family and
The way I look at it is I can live a nice life at home in my
friends, who have always encouraged and helped me to try comfort zone and always be the one listening to travel stonew things. Despite feeling that we were ready for the trip,
ries and thinking ‘if only’, or I can just get on with it and try
we knew there were going to be rough days ahead. We
to experience a different culture in a different place for a
were going into the experience with our eyes wide open. I
few weeks.
knew my parents initial reaction would be the same as any
Editor’s note: Kiara wrote this piece before leaving in Noloving parents – worry. Of course I was right, but the initial
vember – we look forward to hearing how the trip went in
shock – “You’re going to go half way around the world!” –
our Spring 2010 issue.
T
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travel
HOLIDAYING AT HOME
Fancy a short break in the New Year? Colette Molloy’s
round-up of accessible holiday accommodation offers
plenty of inspiration
ASHDOWN PARK HOTEL
Gorey
Co Wexford
Tel: 053 948 0500
www.ashdownparkhotel.com
WHITETHORN LODGE
Killaloe
Co Clare
Tel: 061 375 257
www.whitethornlodge.ie
The Ashdown Park Hotel is located in
its own private grounds on the outskirts of the busy town of Gorey in
north Wexford. There is ample parking
adjacent to the entrance of the hotel
which has level access. The awardwinning Rowan Tree Restaurant offers
an exceptional dining experience and
the Ivy Bar serves food daily with regular musical entertainment. The wheelchair accessible bedroom is located
on the ground floor. The bedroom is
spacious and well-appointed and can
accommodate a hoist. There is an en
suite wet room with roll-in shower,
grab rails and shower chair. Gorey is
easily accessed by road or train and
boasts many shops and restaurants
offering a range of cuisines. Just a
five minute drive brings you to the
nearby village of Courtown Harbour
and Rosslare Strand is a one-hour
drive away.
Whitethorn Lodge, located in Ballina,
Killaloe, is a purpose-built B&B and
family home. Situated in a tranquil and
secluded setting close to Lough Derg,
Killaloe is approximately 25 miles from
Shannon Airport and 14 miles from
Limerick City, making it an ideal touring
base for Clare, Tipperary and Limerick.
The house has ramped access and
there is private parking close to the
house. There are four wheelchair accessible bedrooms, which makes it
ideal for a small group holiday. The en
suite bedrooms are particularly spacious and each has a double and single
bed (can facilitate a hoist), tea/coffee
making facilities and a TV. Each en suite
is wet room in design and has a roll-in
power shower and grab rails. The
beautiful gardens are available for visitors’ enjoyment and your hosts are
available to advise about general
amenities and places of interest to visit.
KNOCKANORE FARM AND
SELF CATERING
Thomastown
Co Kilkenny
Tel: 056 772 4125
www.knockanorefarm.com
Set in the picturesque valley of the
River Nore, Knockanore Farm
offers purpose-built self-catering
accommodation on a working farm.
There are two houses, located a few
yards from the main house, and one
is fully wheelchair accessible. There is
ample parking close by with level
access to the house. The living
accommodation is comfortable,
bright, and open plan in design and
the kitchen is fully fitted with every
possible convenience. There are two
spacious bedrooms, one en suite
and wet room in design. The bathroom has a low level bath and
separate roll-in shower, fixed shower
seat, grab rails and raised toilet.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy the
lovely gardens and scenery, and a
day trip to the historical city of
Kilkenny is definitely worthwhile.
Need to hire a hoist? In the east contact JS Dobbs, Baldoyle, Dublin 13. Telephone 01 839 1071
or www.jsdobbs.ie In the north/north-west, try Evolution Healthcare, Co Tyrone.
Tel: 028 8772 7855 www.evolutionhealthcare.co.uk
Somewhere to recommend? Contact Colette Molloy [email protected] or 01 818 6485
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TRANSPORT & TRAVEL
In his third article on entitlements for people with disabilities,
David Egan looks at the main mobility and travel concessions
which people with disabilities are entitled to claim
obility Allowance is a means-tested monthly
payment from the Health Service Executive
(HSE) to people with disabilities between the
ages of 16 and 66 who are “unable to walk or
use public transport and would benefit from a change in surroundings eg. by financing the occasional taxi journey.” Your
disability must be likely to persist for at least one year. If the
allowance is awarded before you are 66, it will continue beyond that age. The decision on whether or not you meet the
medical criteria is made by the HSE Senior Medical Officer in
your area. If you are living in an institution, you are entitled to
receive the allowance provided you meet the criteria.
The means test for Mobility Allowance is similar to the test
for Disability Allowance outlined in the summer edition of
Spokeout and the advice remains the same. If you think you
may be entitled to any benefit, you should apply unless you
are absolutely sure that you do not qualify. For detailed information on means testing, you should request Department of
Family Social Affairs’ leaflet SW29 or visit
www.welfare.ie/EN/Publications/SW29
M
Mobility Allowance is currently paid at a high rate of €202
per month and a low rate of €101 per month. People who
are availing of the Disabled Driver or Disabled Passenger
Schemes to purchase or adapt a vehicle will only qualify for
the lower rate.
If you are in receipt of Mobility Allowance and you receive a
Motorised Transport Grant towards the purchase or adaptation of a car, you will not be entitled to receive Mobility Allowance for a period of three years from the date of the
grant.
To apply for Mobility Allowance, you should contact your
HSE Local Health Office. The HSE information line is 1850 24
1850 or visit www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service
FREE TRAVEL
The Free Travel Pass is issued automatically if you are resident in the State and receiving Invalidity Pension, Disability
Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or Blind Person’s Pension.
Other persons, including specified carers for a person
getting Constant Attendant Allowance, also qualify. If you
CASE STUDY:
WITHOUT ACCESS TO TRANSPORT MY LIFE
WOULD BE VERY LIMITED, SAYS DECLAN LEE
eclan Lee is a wheelchair user who currently lives in one
of the Irish Wheelchair Association’s Independent Living
Units in Galway City. Declan is not a car owner and he qualifies for Mobility Allowance at the high rate which is an important source of income to help him meet his travel costs.
“I’m attending a computer course in Ballindine from
Monday to Thursday. My Personal Assistant (PA) takes me
there and back and I contribute towards the transport
costs. Also on Fridays, I use the Galway Accessible Transport Service to attend a rehabilitative course in the city.
Throw in the odd taxi and at the end of the month there is
not much change out of €200,” he says.
Declan also uses the Bus Eireann City Service which is
“mostly” accessible he says. He qualifies for the Free Travel
D
30
Pass and his PA qualifies for the Free Travel Companion
Pass. “I use the bus to go into the city and to socialise.
Transport is an important part of my life; Without access to
transport my life would be very limited,” said Declan.
11/12/2009
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living
do not get the Free Travel Pass automatically, but think you
may qualify, you should apply to the Free Travel Section,
Department of Social and Family Affairs.
The pass allows you to travel free, at any time, on all
public transport and on certain private bus and ferry services including mainline rail, DART, all Dublin Bus and Bus
Eireann services, and the Aran Island Ferry (if you hold a
Free Travel Pass and you live permanently on any of the
Aran Islands, you may travel for free on 12 single journeys
using Aer Arann services between the islands and Galway
City, while visitors can avail of a reduced rate). The Free
Travel Pass is also valid on all schemes operated by the
Rural Transport Initiative. Travel Pass holders can complete
return trips to Northern Ireland free-of-charge.
People with disabilities who are entitled to free travel are
allowed to have their spouse or partner travel free with
them. If you have been medically assessed as unable to
travel alone, you are entitled to a Companion Free Travel
Pass for one person. Your companion must be over the
age of 16.
For full information on the Free Travel Pass or the Free
Travel Companion Pass and application forms, you should
request information leaflet SW40 from the Department of
Social and Family Affairs or your local Citizens Information
Centre. Alternatively, visit www.welfare.ie/EN/Publications/SW40
abilities.’ This is available free-of-charge at stations and can
be downloaded from www.irishrail.ie. It offers advice and
also provides information on facilities available at each station.
The Dublin Bus ‘Guide to Accessibility’ is available free
from their offices at 59 Upper O’Connell St. Tel: 01 703
3204. The Dublin Bus fleet is currently 88 percent low floor
wheelchair accessible. By the end of 2009, 40 percent of
bus stops will have integrated kerbing. The Dublin Bus
website www.dublinbus.ie indicates which routes are fully
accessible. The website also contains a section on accessibility.
The Dublin Bus Travel Assist Scheme helps people with
disabilities build confidence to use the service by themselves. Trained Travel Assistants accompany you (you must
be over the age of 18) for the first few times you use the
service. The service is free. Tel: 01 703 3204. Email [email protected]
All Bus Eireann City Services are low floor wheelchair accessible. Bus Eireann also operates a number of accessible
double deck vehicles, mainly on the Ashbourne/Dublin and
Drogheda/Dublin routes. The company is currently trialing a
number of accessible high line coaches on inter-city services. For further information see www.buseireann.ie
This feature is supported by:
USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Iarnrod Eireann produces a guide for rail travellers, including DART users, titled ‘Guide for Rail Passengers with Dis-
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WINTER WONDERLAND
Helen Rock offers some seasonal garden inspiration, including
tips on how to attract entertaining birds, and how to make friends
with your weeds by eating them!
t is easy to lose touch with the garden during a long
winter, so I always make a point of getting back out to
work as soon as the weather allows. By the middle of
January things are usually stirring out there. That’s the
time when wild dandelion, wood sorrel, groundsel, hairy
bittercress and celandine are all on the march again and, if
you weed them out then, with spring only a few weeks
away, you’ll catch most of them before they flower and
multiply.
But why waste good organic greens such as dandelion
and sorrel, when you can eat them young and full of vitamins and minerals, either sauteed, mixed in salads or in
soups? Just the tonic towards the end of winter. Gardeners
complain bitterly about Horsetail (Equisetum), an elegant
native with invasive tendencies, generally slated as a nuisance weed.
These gardeners should do as the Romans did, and the
Japanese still do, which is to pick the Horsetail – both
buds and leaves - and use it as a delicate spring vegetable
and valuable tonic, packed with potassium and other good
things. There are lots of other uses for Horsetail besides
eating it, including drying it as a scouring powder because
it contains silicates. Just a word of warning if foraging for
wild food: don’t eat it from the margins of a busy road for
fear of lead poisoning.
I
32
Weeding at this time of year is quite satisfying; the
ground is moist and the weeds are easily removed with
their roots intact. By getting up close like that you can see
what else is happening in the garden and, by stirring up the
top half inch of soil with a hand fork (available with an extra
long handle which is very useful) you expose to the elements and the hungry birds any little black slugs that might
be busy just below ground, feeding off your tulip tips, your
irises and your lilies.
While you weed, keep an eye out for self-sown seedlings
of valuable plants that you can leave to grow on where they
are if there’s room, or transplant or pot on for giving away.
Some great self-seeding flowers to watch out for are Primroses, Foxgloves, Hellebores, borage, Forget-Me-Not,
Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), Honesty (Lunaria
annua), Verbena bonariensis and the Pheasant Tail grass
(Stipa arundinacia).
BIRDS
A garden must have birds, and of course bees, butterflies
and ladybirds. Watching birds go about their busy lives in
the garden is great fun at any time, but especially so in
bleak midwinter when there’s not a whole lot else going on
there. I’ve long since stopped leaving out special food for
the birds in winter, for fear of attracting vermin. Instead,
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living
BRINGING BULBS INSIDE
I always try to have a range of smallish, scented early bulbs
– winter irises, snowdrops, crocus, dwarf narcissi, white
hyacinths, species tulips such as T. turkestanica – planted
in smallish clay pots, which are left out in the yard until their
flower buds begin to show some colour. When that happens, I bring whichever is ready in to the house, where
they’ll come into flower more quickly in the extra warmth
and where their scent can be enjoyed up close. If you bring
them inside before they show some colour, their stalks can
become elongated and they tend to flop.
SEED CATALOGUES
over the years, I’ve made sure that both the back and
front gardens are bird friendly in lots of other ways.
Rather than cutting everything back obsessively in autumn, I leave seed heads and fruits and berries to nibble
on, and plenty of grasses, stalks and fluffy seedheads to
help them build their intricate nests, which they stuff with
the down from the spent flowers of the tall white Japanese
anemones and line with the softest mosses that I encourage to grow in damp places. With planting and planning I make lots of green
and grassy places for them to rest
in, nest in and take cover from the
bullying magpies who roost in a
vast stand of Leyland cypresses
that looms over all the gardens
around here like a big bad giant.
There are smallish bowls of
water placed here and there for them to
drink from, and wide shallower vessels for
them to bathe in. Birds love taking baths,
particularly the male blackbird who has an
hilarious time for himself and is huge fun to
watch. As a result of all this, a great variety of birds
flock here now, some to build nests, others to feed, drink
and take shelter for a while on their journey somewhere
else.
Besides the pleasure of watching their antics, their presence is good for the garden. They eat slugs, snails and vile
vine weevil eggs, among other very destructive things.
Bluetits are especially welcome in the garden now because they eat greenfly, a major part of their winter diet.
Gardening always leaves you with something to look forward to, which is more than can be said about a lot of
things. When the work of preparing, sowing and planting is
done, that’s not the end, only the beginning of a pact full of
promise.
There’s almost nothing that holds out more promise than
a fat juicy bulb or a packet of seed and there’s almost nothing as nice as a whole package of them arriving by post in
the dead of winter, to be studied in comfort by the fire.
Happily some of the best seed and bulb merchants do mail
order and most have good, entertaining and informative
websites, as well as paper catalogues which they will send
you if requested, usually free of charge.
Some of the best are The Organic Centre at Rossinver,
Co Leitrim (091 985 4338) and [email protected] ;
Wild About Veg seeds come from Heritage, which is based
at Tullynally Castle, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath (044 966
2744): www.wildaboutveg.com; for the best rocket,
spinach, basil and flat parsley look for Franchi seeds, which
come in big super-generous packets bursting with freshness: www.seedsofitaly.com
Franchi was founded in 1783
and is still run as a family firm,
which for years has specialised in whopping big
packets of herbs and a few
flowers. Best among the latter is their nasturtiums (edible
in leaf, flower and fresh seed),
particularly their aptly named, truly
rampant giant ‘Nasturzio rampicante
multicolor’ which can climb part way up a large
tree. They also generous packets of the true, scented
violet, which you could scatter around on the edges of
paths and on the borders of light woodland, where they
would spread and be a joy forever.
The Thompson & Morgan seed range is famous and
always moving with the times. The catalogues can be
requested from the Mr Middleton Garden Shop, Mary
Street, Dublin 1 (01 873 1118): www.thompsonmorgan.com. Finally, connoisseurs might like to try
Real Seeds, which sells only open-pollinated vegetables:
www.realseeds.co.uk
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ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
AT HOME
Robbie Cousins suggests some grants
and free programmes that could help
you turn a heat leaking home in to an
energy efficient, cozy palace
ased on 2009 energy prices, SEI suggests that the
average Irish household spends €2,200 per annum
on energy. If these houses were made energy efficient, the annual household energy spend could
be closer to €500. With the rising energy prices of the past
few years set to continue and even escalate in the years
ahead, it makes sense to act now and reap rewards in terms
of energy and financial savings as well as reducing your own
carbon footprint. The Government has established a number
of programmes to stimulate us to reduce our carbon emissions, and despite the current economic situation, there are
no plans at the moment to scale back on any of these.
B
FREE ASSESSMENTS AND FIT-OUTS FROM ESB
The ESB HALO Programme offers you a free independent
home energy survey if your house predates 2006. It is a no
obligation service intended to help you to make your home
more energy efficient, reduce your carbon emissions and reduce energy bills. If you switched to Bord Gais or Airtricity for
your electricity supply recently, don’t worry, as once you fit
the criteria of owning a home that was built before 2006, you
qualify for the free assessment. The outcome of the HALO
assessment is a list of recommendations on the areas where
you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. The survey
covers the energy efficiency of all current insulation as well as
heating and lighting systems. (For more details call the ESB
Customer Care team at 1850 372 333 or visit the ESB website www.esb.ie. Have your electricity bill to hand.)
The Home Insulation Scheme (HIS) is another scheme administered by ESB. This scheme is for people over 65 who
own their home and are in receipt of the Department of Social
and Family Affairs' Fuel Allowance. If you qualify for the HIS
you can benefit from the following services:
• Installation of home insulation products for attics, cavity
walls and hot water tanks;
• Draught proofing; and
• Provision of CFL energy efficient light bulbs.
Inclusion is by invitation, if you fit the above criteria and have
not been contacted, then enquire at your local ESB office or
contact them directly through their website: www.esb.ie
SEI’S HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
AND FREE FIT-OUTS
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) administers the Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme which offers grants to homeowners interested in improving the energy efficiency of their home
and reducing energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme is open to all owners of houses built before 2006. Landlords or owners of multiple properties can
also apply. Assistance is provided in the form of fixed grants
towards the cost of implementing upgrade measures. The
types of measures currently eligible under this scheme are:
• Roof insulation, €250
• Wall insulation, Cavity €400; Internal dry lining €2,500; External wall (outsulation) €4,000
• High efficiency gas or oil filled boiler with heating controls
upgrade €700
• Heating Controls upgrade €500
There is also a €200 grant for households who choose to
have a Building Energy Rating (BER) Assessment carried out
‘Before and After’ the works are completed. But this is not
mandatory. All works must be carried out by an SEI registered contractor, a list of which can be provided by SEI.
The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) aims to improve the
energy efficiency and comfort of low-income households.
The WHS engages regional community based organisations
to acquire and apply the skills to carry out the work. Improvements covered under WHS include attic insulation, draught
proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall
insulation and energy advice. Eligible homes are identified locally via networks drawn from the statutory and voluntary
sector. The focus is on privately owned and rented homes,
which are more diverse and difficult to access than local authority homes.
For further details call SEI Lo-call 1850 927 000. Email
[email protected] or visit the SEI website www.sei.ie
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GETTING IN GEAR
Motorists with disabilities are frequently faced with difficult
decisions. What adaptations do I need? What type of car will suit
me? Where can I get driving tuition? Robbie Cousins finds out
more about a new DVD produced by the National Mobility Centre
which provides answers to many of these questions
riving is an essential part of independence,
particularly for those with limited mobility. This
message comes across strongly in a new short
film Vehicle Adaptations and Driver Training,
produced by IWA with the support of Motability Ireland,
the vehicle adaptation company based in Ashbourne,
Co Meath. The film, presented by Niall McDonnell of
IWA’s National Mobility Centre, explains how for many
people with limited mobility being able to drive can mean
the difference between independence and dependence.
It also shows the range of adaptations that can be made
to vehicles to make them more accessible for drivers and
passengers with limited mobility, as well as highlighting
how easy it is to go about learning to drive.
Here’s a taster of some common adaptations; I strongly
recommend watching the film as it gives you a chance to
see these features in action!
VEHICLE ADAPTATIONS
SEATING AND TRANSFER
Let’s face facts. Cars are not generally designed with
people with disabilities in mind. All standard cars present
the dual challenge of how to create easy access and
egress as well as user-friendly controls. That is why adaptations and specialist training come into the equation.
An adapted electric seat is the most popular option chosen by manual chair users. This seat can be easily adjusted and raised higher than a manually operated seat. It
is particularly useful for those of a shorter stature. A drivefrom-chair option is generally the preferred choice of
power chair users.
If you can’t transfer directly from your seat to the car,
there are several solutions available. The simplest and
most popular is a transfer board, which is placed between
the wheelchair and the car seat for the individual to slide
across.
Chairs are generally disassembled and taken in to the
car by the driver to be stored on the passenger side or in
the back of the car. An alternative solution is a roof storage
system, which mechanically lifts the chair for storage on
the roof once the driver has transferred.
In considering any transfer and storage needs, it is important to seek medical advice on what is the best option
before finalising any plans.
D
CAR AVAILABLE FOR HIRE FROM
NATIONAL MOBILITY CENTRE
HAND CONTROLS
The main driving facilitator for any driver with a disability is
a vehicle’s hand control system. Hand controls are fitted to
automatic cars to enable more easy operation of the brake
and accelerator. Infra red controls fitted to the steering
wheel allow the driver to operate the electronics, such as
lights, indicators, wipers, etc, from a single pad, and steering wheel spinners come in many sizes and facilitate those
who have only one hand or an artificial limb to turn the
wheel.
PASSENGERS
IWA has an automatic car with hand controls available
for hire at very attractive rates. For further information,
please contact Tony Maher or Niall McDonnell on 045
893 094 or [email protected]
36
There are a number access and egress solutions for passengers. A rear access vehicle allows easy access and
egress. The vehicle is fitted with a rear ramp and lower
floor. To make things easier, the ramped vehicle can also
be fitted with a winch.
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motoring
Infra red receiver
Steering mounted infra red control
Flip down accelerator
Hand control clearance
The alternative solution to a ramp is a passenger wheelchair lift, which takes most of the effort out of transfer.
For smaller vehicles there is a swivel seat option, which is
usually fitted on the front passenger seat side. A considerable door width is needed for a swivel seat, which is why
they are usually fitted to three-door vehicles.
DRIVING LESSONS
Since the 1960s, IWA has provided driving assessment
and tuition services. Thousands of people across the country have availed of these services over the decades. The
service is not only available to wheelchair users, but to all
people with a disability. It is coordinated from the National
Mobility Centre in Clane, where there are 15 variously
adapted vehicles available for use. The service is open to
those learning to drive for the first time or those wishing to
return to driving. The Centre also provides advice on the
VRT Scheme and the Motorised Transport Grant as well as
full details about vehicle adaptation companies.
The short film ‘Vehicle Adaptations and Driver Training’,
which runs to just over nine minutes, can be viewed at the
IWA website www.iwa.ie (click on the DVD section link)
Hand control with indicator switch
FIVE TIPS FOR CHOOSING
THE RIGHT VEHICLE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Look for keys and controls that are easy to
use. A car that doesn’t need a key would be an
even better option. Check all the controls to
see how easily they can be used.
Look for door handles that are easy to use.
Make sure the doors are the appropriate height
and width for access. A three-door car should
offer substantially more door width.
Make sure the door cill is not too high. Often
high door cills and lower seats cause problems.
Ensure the seat is of a suitable shape and easily adjustable, as well as being the appropriate
height.
If operating the clutch is a problem, choose an
automatic transmission.
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THIS SPACE
HAS A FACE
IWA recently worked with Dublin City Council on a billboard campaign
and short film designed to highlight the importance of considerate use of
accessible parking bays
inding an empty accessible parking space is a daily
challenge for the thousands of drivers who are
wheelchair users or have limited mobility. It is a
challenge that arises in all locations, be it public or
private car parks, at offices, train stations, hospitals, etc.
On far too many occasions, the limited numbers of
accessible car parking spaces are taken up by inconsiderate able-bodied drivers with no idea of the inconvenience
they are causing.
It was with this recurring problem in mind that IWA and
Dublin City Council came together to devise a programme
that would inform the general public about why ‘wide’ accessible parking spaces are essential for people with disabilities and, more importantly, make those who illegally
park in these spaces consider the consequences of their
actions.
The approach was twofold. Firstly, a billboard poster
campaign entitled ‘THIS SPACE HAS A FACE – Be considerate to the driver who needs it’ was run across Dublin City
Centre during July and August 2009. The posters were designed and printed by Dublin City Council.
The second part of the campaign is a short film produced by IWA with the support of Dublin City Council. The
short film – ‘Your Space or Mine’ – highlights why people
F
with disabilities or limited mobility need accessible parking
spaces and why accessible parking bays have to be wider
than standard parking spaces.
The film has been posted on the IWA website
(www.iwa.ie, click on the DVD section link). It shows a
wheelchair user entering and exiting a vehicle in an accessible space and attempting to do likewise in an able-bodied parking space.
With a running time of just over two minutes, and presented by IWA’s Niall McDonnell, the short film demonstrates clearly why accessible parking spaces have wider
dimensions and why able-bodied people should not use
these spaces.
The film is an ideal tool to help individuals and local
access groups lobby for the proper enforcement of accessible parking spaces.
Hopefully, this will create greater awareness among the
general public of the importance of leaving accessible
spaces free.
IWA would like to thank Dublin City Council for its
support in the above; hopefully its actions will stimulate
other local authorities to follow suit.
Visit the IWA website www.iwa.ie to view the short film.
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GUIDE TO PETROL STATIONS
WITH ATTENDANT SERVICE
Looking for a petrol station at which staff are willing to give a helping hand?
In response to popular demand, IWA’s National Mobility Centre has produced
a handy list of stations across the country that offer attendant service
e hope this list will be of use to Nora Alford,
Dani Weldon and Hilary Naughton, all of
whom have written to Spokeout to express
their frustration at the lack of service for
wheelchair users, and to the many other IWA members
who are no doubt experiencing the same problem.
We would like to thank all the members who sent in details of their local petrol stations, as well as Kenneth Fox of
the Disabled Drivers Association (DDA), who very kindly
W
provided the details of most of the stations listed. Hopefully, we will identify more stations as a result of publishing
this article, and we will be sure to share all new information
with the DDA.
Please bear in mind that the list is a ‘work-in-progress’.
The list will also be published on our website www.iwa.ie
and will be updated regularly. If you notice any inaccuracies, please email [email protected] or telephone 045 893
094. Your help is much appreciated!
NOTE: THE LIST IS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY COUNTY
BRAND
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Texaco
Maxol
Maxol
Topaz
40
SITE NAME
Fitzpatrick’s Service Station
Maras Filling Station
Brady
Crowley's Service Station
Matthew O'Dea
Michael Fitzpatrick
Texaco Shannon Service Station
Clancys Service Station
Whelan's Garage
Mitchelstown Service Station
ADDRESS
Dublin Road, Carlow, Co Carlow
Kilree Street, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow
Dublin Road, Cavan, Co Cavan
Ennis Road, Kilrush, Co Clare
Ennistymon, Co Clare
Kilmihil, Co Clare
Town Centre, Shannon, Co Clare
Griffins Cross, Blackwater, Co Clare
Ennis Road,Kilrush, Co Clare
Cork Road, Mitchelstown, Co Cork
TELEPHONE
0503 31572
059 972 1440
049 433 1833
065 905 1067
065 707 1021
065 905 0010
061 364 484
061 348 848
065 905 1147
025 41011
Topaz
No Brand Centra Garage
Roches Garage
Esso
Barry’s Service Station
Casey’s Service Station,
Esso
O’Callaghan’s Garage
Esso
O’Hare’s Service Station
Maxol
Maxol Service Station
Kinsale Road, Cork City, Co Cork
Crossbarry, Co Cork
The Bungalow, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork
Cork Road, Bantry, Co Cork
Glengarrif Road, Bantry, Co Cork
Ballyvolane, Co Cork
Midleton, Co Cork
The Pier, Bantry, Co Cork
021 432 1880
021 477 5577
021 488 3112
027 50023
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Abbey Garage
Bradley / Shell Filling Station
Brennan's SS
W & D Partnership (Burnfoot SS)
Callaghan's SS
Daly's SS
Charles Kelly Properties Ltd
Farren Motors Ltd
Gallagher's Foodstore
Glencar SS
071 985 1246
074 936 0257
074 973 5558
074 938 6999
074 936 8122
074 914 1888
074 937 3126
074 936 2299
074 953 1215
074 912 5064
Attended service
7.30 am-6pm
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Esso
Esso
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Esso
Esso
McIntyre's SS
McLaughlins Bros. SS
Moore's Service Station
Mountain Service Station
Pettigo Fuel Service
St Catherines Service Station
Straddle Service Station
Tobin's SS
Ton-Up Filling Station
Kees Service Station
Leonard Oil Co.
Lagg Service Station Ltd.
Callaghans Mtrway Stores Ltd.,
Coyles of Raphoe Ltd
Maxol Filling Station
Faulkners of Moville
Maxol Filling Station,
Maxol Roundabout Service Station
McClafferty's Mace
Moores Garage Ltd
Northern Garage Ltd.,
Artane Service Station
Bull Service Station
Donegal Road, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal
The Gort, Fahan, Co Donegal
Killybegs Road, Mountcharles, Co Donegal
Buncrana Rd, Burnfoot, Co Donegal
Derry Road, Burt, Co Donegal
Letterkenny Road, Lifford, Co Donegal
Millbrae, Carndonagh, Co Donegal
Buncrana, Co Donegal
Derrybeg, Gweedore, Co Donegal
Glencar Shopping Centre, Circular Road,
Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Doonan, Donegal Town, Co Donegal
Derry Rd, Muff, Co Donegal
Loughanure, Co Donegal
Kilmacrennan Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Ardnaglass, Pettigo, Co Donegal
Killybegs, Co Donegal
Cloghore, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal
Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Tirhomin, Milford, Co Donegal
Laghey, Co Donegal
Pettigoe, Co Donegal
Milford, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Bohillion, Burt, Speenogue P.O., Co Donegal
The Diamond, Raphoe, Co Donegal
Drung, Quigley's Point, Co Donegal
Carndonagh Road, Moville, Co Donegal
Donegal Road, Ballybofey, Co Donegal
Bunagee, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Gortahork, Co Donegal
Main Street, Muff, Co Donegal
Dunfanaghy, Letterkenny, Donegal
Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, Donegal
Malahide Road, Artane, Dublin
232 Clontarf Road, Dollymount, Dublin
074 972 1340
074 938 4293
074 956 2650
074 915 3223
071 986 1909
074 973 2380
071 985 2555
074 912 4097
074 915 3223
074 972 1805
071 986 1982
074 916 3378
074 915 6159
074 914 5112
074 938 3002
074 938 2081
074 31331
074 912 5592
074 913 5194
074 938 4050
074 913 6171
074 972 1117
01 831 2138
01 833 6273
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
021 450 3733
021 463 3950
027 55850
ATTENDED SERVICE
Limited attendant service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service 7am-10pm
Attended service 7am-11pm
Monday, Wednesday &
Friday from 9am-3pm
Phone/Mon-Sunday
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
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motoring
BRAND
Esso
Esso
Esso
Esso
Esso
Esso
Maxol
Maxol
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Esso
Maxol
Esso
Texaco
Esso
Esso
Esso
Maxol
Maxol
Togher
Texaco
Maxol
Maxol
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Esso
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Esso
Esso
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Topaz
Topaz
Maxol
Maxol
Maxol
Topaz
Estuary
Texaco
Esso
Maxol
Maxol
Top
Esso
Esso
Esso
Topaz
Texaco
Texaco
TOP
Maxol
Amber
Esso
SITE NAME
Richmond Service Station
Violet Hill Service Station
Nevin Service Station
Martello Service Station
Belmont Service Station
Grosvenor Service Station
Sundrive Service Station
Three Rock Service Station
Howth Road
Blanchardstown Motors
(Tractamotors)
Kilmainham
Emerald Filling Station
O'Loughlins Service Station
Thomas Gannon
Newcastle
Clifden Service Station
F. Kilmartin Ltd
Whytes Service Station
Nolans Garage
Fitzgerald’s Tyres Service Station
P. Horan,
Binn Bann Teoranta
Toghers
Dermot Kellys
Tullaghan Service Station
Francie Daly Motors
Lough Forbes Service Station
Nally SS
Ardee Fuels Ltd.(Brian Malone Fuels)
Clarke (Ballymascanlon)
Clarke (Oriel)
Townparks Service Station
Martins Ltd
Forge Filling Station
Hillside Service Station
Dominic & Geraldine Murphy
William Rochford
Cassidy's
Mulroy's
Lavelles Service Station
Clarke & Doherty
Cosgraves (Castlebar) Ltd
Patrick Mc Donnell - Enfield
Watters SS
Boyle Motor Works Ltd
Dohertys Garage
Cooney Motors
Casey’s Service Station
Quigley's Pub
Coews
Collins Filling Station
Sligo Motor Co
Benview Service Station
Gilmore’s Service Station
Parkes Garage
Mulrooney's Gala
Grove Oil
Youngs Garage
Halls Service Station
Pat Lonergans
Gannon Station
Cashel Fuels
Topaz
ADDRESS
Richmond Road, Ballybough, Dublin
Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin
59-63 Ballymun Road, Ballymun, Dublin
Strand Road, Sandymount, Dublin
Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin
Grosvenor Road, Rathmines, Dublin
Lower Kimmage Road, Kimmage, Dublin
Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin
Sallynoggin, Dublin
Tymon North Road, Tallaght, Dublin
Howth Road, Killester, Dublin 5
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
TELEPHONE
01 806 9008
01 830 3916
01 837 5800
01 260 8527
01 497 8209
01 497 1551
01 490 8614
01 493 4679
01 285 8323
01 462 1955
01 805 7334
01 821 6622
ATTENDED SERVICE
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
attended Service 8am-11pm
Limited attendance service
Kilmainham, Dublin 8
Loughrea, Galway
Shell Filling Station, Kinvara, Co Galway
Knocknacarra, Salthill, Co Galway
Newcastle Road, Galway, Co Galway
Clifden, Co Galway
Athlone Road, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Kenmare, Co Kerry
North Circular Road, Tralee, Co Kerry
Church Street, Listowel, Co Kerry
Castleisland, Co Kerry
Dingle, Co Kerry
Quill Street, Tralee, Co Kerry
Farranfore, Co Kerry
Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare
Kilcock, Co Kildare
Carricknabrack, Drumshambo, Co Leitrim
Tullaghan, Co Leitrim
Clare Road, Ennis Town, Co Limerick
Sligo Road, Longford, Co Longford
Main Street, Longford, Co Longford
Dublin Road, Ardee, Co Louth
Ballymascanlon, Dundalk, Co Louth
Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co Louth
Ballymakenny Road, Drogheda, Co Louth
Castletown Road, Dundalk, Co Louth
Maxol Filling Station, The Ramparts, Co Louth
Castlebellingham, Co Louth
Avenue Road, Dundalk, Co Louth
Ballyhaunis Road, Claremorris, Co Mayo
Dublin Rd, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo
Knock Rd, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo
Charlestown, Co Mayo
Castlebar, Co Mayo
Achill, Co Mayo
Dillon Terrace, Ballina, Co Mayo
Spencer Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Westport Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
Spencer Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Main Street, Enfield, Co Meath
Dublin Road, Castleblaney, Co Monaghan
Main Street, Emyvale, Co Monaghan
Monaghan Road, Clones, Co Monaghan
Monaghan Road, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan
Carrick Road, Boyle, Co Roscommon
The Square, Castlerea, Co Roscommon
Greatmeadow, Boyle, Co Roscommon
Lower Castle Street, Roscommon
Lower Castle Street, Co Roscommon
Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon
Colloney, Co Sligo
Teeling Street, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo
Rathcormack, Co Sligo
Enniskillen Road, Sligo, Co Sligo
Bundoran Road, Sligo, Co Sligo
Ballymote, Sligo
Ballisodare, Sligo
Old Dublin Road, Roscrea, Co Tipperary
Birr Road, Roscrea, Co Tipperary
Limerick Road, Roscrea, Co Tipperary
Cashel Road, Tipperary Town, Co Tipperary
Clonmel Road, Tipperary Town, Co Tipperary
Clonmel Road, Tipperary Town, Co Tipperary
Camas Road, Cashel, Co Tipperary
01 471 5292
091 841 790
091 637 135
091 521 372
091 501 964
095 21191
0905 42204
064 664 1316
066 712 1980
068 21040
7am-9am
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Mon-Fri 7am-3pm
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
066 712 4782
066 642 252
045 444 365
043 46975
0906 432 387
041 685 6056
042 937 1331
042 933 0765
041 983 1016
042 933 5338
042 933 5514
042 937 2515
042 933 9013
094 936 2693
0907 30307
0907 30163
094 925 4452
094 902 1359
098 47242
096 73155
094 902 6308
094 23266
094 954 2500
094 902 6308
046 954 1319
042 974 0875
047 87022
047 51106
042 974 0183
071 966 2002
094 962 0142
071 967 0000
Attended service
Attended service
8am-11pm attended service
8.30am-7pm Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm Sat
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Intermittently or when requested
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
7am-11pm attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
0903 26438
043 26091
Attended service
Attended service
071 916 7291
0505 22913
Attended service
Full service/sound horn
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Attended service
Manor Street, Waterford City, Waterford
Topaz
Esso
Maxol
Martin Mulligan
Naughton’s Service Station
J. Lynch & Sons
Maxol
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Topaz
Maxol
Mullingar Service Station
H & P Car Sales Ltd
Drinagh Motors (Wexford) Ltd
Crosstowm
Brinkhall (Ashford)
Safeway Garage
Roscommon Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath
Monksland, Athlone, Co Westmeath
Lakeview Garage, Galway Road, Athlone,
Co Westmeath
Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Carnew Road, Gorey, Co Wexford
Rosslare Road, Drinagh, Co Wexford
Crosstown, Co Wexford
Main Street, Ashford, Co Wicklow
Old Dublin Road, Arklow, Co Wicklow
Delgany, Co Wicklow
078 41069
071 984 2771
0505 21266
062 31000
062 33334
062 52077
087 121 0102
Michael Mackey
051 843 888
/309 680
0906 492 045
Mon-Fri 7am-3pm
0906 492 734
Attended service
044 934 8985
055 942 1306
053 42377
053 912 4345
0404 42001
0402 31325
01 287 4357
Attended service
Mon-Fri 7am-3pm
7am-11pm Mon-Sun
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sport
GETTING
STRONGER
Becoming a regular gym user has
given Fred Price more muscle
strength, improved balance and
even inspiration to write!
ast May, I joined a gym. I suppose a lot of people
would think I was mad to start getting fit at 41. People usually start earlier or not at all. But it turned out
to be one of my better decisions.
Until then, I guess I walked a bit, but didn’t take fitness seriously. And I suppose the fact that I have cerebral palsy,
which affects my left arm, and left leg to lesser extent, made
me think that I wouldn’t benefit from exercise. Another factor
that stopped me was that I was unemployed and didn’t have
much disposable income.
One day I was visiting my friend Mary. She showed me the
cover of Spokeout, because our mutual friend Clare-Louise
was on it. I read the magazine and came across an article
about the gym in IWA. Rates to join were very reasonable –
€210 for members of the public, and only €55 for IWA members or staff. The article was about a woman who had
gained a lot from joining. I picked up the phone and decided
to check it out.
So I went to IWA with a lot of hope. A friend with a similar
from of cerebral palsy had told me about her positive experiences in her local gym. I began cautiously with a free trial.
Nicky Hamill, the sports manager at the time, showed me
around. To start with, I decided to try the treadmill; but it was
tough going and I struggled at the lowest setting. However,
help was at hand. Once I’d got a feel for my strengths and
weaknesses, Richie, one of the instructors, drew up a fitness
programme for me. This programme gave me a structure
and realistic goals. A week later, I was signing up as a full
gym member. As a result of wearing a splint on my left arm
when I was younger, and not really using it much, the muscles had become wasted. I suppose over the years I did get
more mobility; I could stretch it out and use my first finger,
and for a time, I could use my index finger. But overall my
balance wasn’t good so I’d fallen a lot and damaged my arm
further. So, for the first few months at the gym, I had to get
one of instructors to strap my left hand into a glove so I could
use the different machines.
L
Fred working out in the IWA gym in Clontarf
But as the months have progressed, continuing to go to
the gym twice a week, I have noticed the changes. The increased muscle tone in my left arm. My balance has improved. I can now use most of the machines in the gym
without the instructor’s help. I have recently used the leg
curl but the instructor still has to help me get into position.
All the instructors use me as an example of what can be
done. Going to the gym has made me think about taking
up other sports like javelin and shot-put (which I tried out
recently at PARALIONS in the Helix), and swimming, which
I used to enjoy. Another thing I have noticed is my mind
seems to be more focused. I use to write but for a long
time I had writer’s block, but since joining the gym my
muse has returned! And I’ve set myself a new goal; it’s to
take part in javelin or shot-put at the 2012 Paralympics in
London!
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news
New look for aids and appliances website
Whether you are contemplating installing a stair lift or simply trying to
source a good wheelchair cape, you
will find all the information you need
on the new look Assist Ireland website
The Citizens Information Board provides the website
www.assistireland.ie. A newly updated
website contains a directory of more
than 7,000 aids and appliances, designed to make daily living tasks possible for people with disabilities and
older people. All aids and appliances
are from Irish suppliers and the site
provides direct contact details for the
suppliers. The website also offers a
wide range of information sheets, covering more than 30 subjects, for example ‘Choosing a Bath’, ‘Choosing a
Personal Alarm’, or ‘Choosing Equipment to Get Up and Down Stairs’.
For more information, visit www.assistireland.ie. Assist Ireland also offers
a telephone and email support service
for anyone who wishes to discuss
their needs or be directed to products
and suppliers. Tel: 1890 277 478.
Email: [email protected]
DARE to apply to higher education
The DARE scheme is aimed at college
applicants with disabilities, enabling
them to access courses with less
points
The Disability Access
Route to Education
(DARE) is a supplementary admissions
scheme for school
leavers with disabilities. Students who
are eligible for DARE
may secure a place
on a reduced
points basis.
To apply for DARE, applicants
must provide evidence confirming
that their disability has had a significant impact on their educational performance, and must meet the
minimum entry and subject requirements of the institutions they are applying to. Applicants will then
compete for a quota of places based
on their Leaving Certificate results. A
dedicated website, www.accesscollege.ie, has been developed which
contains full details of the scheme
and will assist students in making
their applications.
Each participating higher education
institution has allocated a quota of
places on a reduced points basis for
students entering through DARE. The
quota of places available through
DARE differs from one institution to
another. Details of quotas and,
selection and admission policies of
the individual institutions are available
on the website of each of the
participating institutions.
Participating higher
education institutions:
Athlone Institute of Technology www.ait.ie/admissions/
disability.shtml
Dublin City University
www.dcu.ie/students/disability/
pdfs/supplementary_admissions_policy.pdf
Dublin Institute of Technology
www.dit.ie/campuslife/disability/
admissions/
Mater Dei Institute of Education
www.materdei.ie/prospectivestudents/
National College of Ireland
www.ncirl.ie/Student_Support
NUI Galway www.nuigalway.ie/
disability/admissions.html
NUI Maynooth http://nuim.ie
Trinity College Dublin www.tcd.ie/
Admissions/undergraduate/apply/eu/
disability
University College Cork www.ucc.ie/
en/dss/ProspectiveStudents/
University College Dublin
www.ucd.ie/access/dss_prospectivestudents.htm
University of Limerick www.ul.ie/
disabilityservices/admissions.html.
WINNERS OF FRIENDS OF IWA DRAW
September 2009
First Prize (€2,000): IWA Springfield Centre, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Second Prize €1,500: Mary Griffin, Killiney, Co Dublin
Third Prize (€500): Theo Hock, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
October 2009
First Prize (€2,000): Elizabeth Farrell, Straffan, Co Kildare
Second Prize €1,500: Charles Carlos, Donamon, Co Roscommon
Third Prize (€500): Mildred Carroll, Drogheda, Co Louth
To find out more about The Friends of IWA Monthly Draw, visit www.iwa.ie
(simply click on the link on the homepage) or contact IWA’s Fundraising
Department on tel: 01 818 6469 or [email protected]
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Jessica with one of her
classes of six-year-olds
A TASTE OF FRANCE
19-year-old student, Jessica Gough, tells Kiara Lynch how she
refused to let her disability get in the way as she embarked on a
six-month Comenius Assistantship programme in a primary school
in France
essica Gough is studying Applied Languages with
Irish, French and Spanish at the University of Limerick. In the second year of the course, it is compulsory to gain work experience abroad for six months,
an experience Jessica was determined not to miss out on.
“All my classmates were going abroad, and I felt I shouldn’t
be any different just because I had a disability. I chose to organise my work experience through the Comenius Assistantship programme, which enables future teachers to spend
three to ten months as an assistant in a school abroad. I felt
it offered the chance to immerse myself linguistically and culturally in another country.”
“I’m not going to pretend it was easy to organise, I didn’t
want my cerebral palsy to be an issue, so it was incredibly
stressful trying to get everything in place to ensure that. The
Comenius project was funded by Léargas who found the
school for my placement, École Primaire Georges Brassens
Poulx near Nîmes in southern France, but after that it was up
to me to sort out accommodation. I was very apprehensive
leaving. What would it be like? Would I manage alone? In
spite of my apprehension, I was determined to succeed.”
Jessica’s determination, along with the unwavering support of her parents and family, encouraged her to keep
going. “In the end everything worked out well. A nurse came
to my host family’s home everyday to assist me, and the
school where I was teaching was completely on one level so
it was easy to get around with my walker on my own. That
was great as I felt much more independent, trying things for
myself and asking for help if I needed it, rather than having a
fulltime PA. My host family were very friendly and accommodating; they made me feel as though I was part of their fam-
J
46
Jessica (centre) with Nathalie Penchenatti (left), a close friend of host
family, and Sylvie Cousin (right), the mother of Jessica’s host family
ily. The same can be said for my colleagues and the local
people of the community. My disability was never an issue, if
anything it was something that they believed enhanced the
experience.”
“I had 11 different classes with children ranging in age
from six to 11. I taught each group for half an hour to 45
minutes each week, depending on their age group. The
pupils quickly settled into the routine of having English
classes each week and acquired a wide range of vocabulary.
I would wholeheartedly recommend the experience of the
Comenius Assistantship to anyone. Not only did my confidence in my own abilities grow, but being so immersed in
the French language and culture improved my French beyond belief!”
USEFUL CONTACTS
For further information on Léargas visit www.leargas.ie
For further information on Comenius visit
www.leargas.ie/programme_main.php?prog_code=7018
11/12/2009
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news
SPEAKING UP
As IWA Youth’s representative on the NYCI’s International Advisory
Committee, Dara Carroll puts forward the youth disability perspective.
Daragh Kennedy, IWA National Youth Development Officer, reports
ara Carroll has been an active member of IWA
Youth Services since 2002 and has been involved in youth holidays, youth projects, social
outings and an active citizenship training programme. In December 2007, through his involvement in
IWA’s Youth Services, Dara became the IWA Youth Representative on the National Youth Council of Ireland’s (NYCI),
International Advisory Committee (IAC). This committee
works on international youth policy, and in particular EU
policy. “In recent years I had become more interested in
the bigger picture as to how disability fits into Europe, and
strongly felt someone should be speaking up from a youth
disability perspective. When I was asked to get involved in
the committee I was a little nervous, but I soon grew in
confidence and could contribute to the discussions.”
D
Dara taking part in a recent
youth conference
The committee has a representative from each member
organisation of the NYCI. “The meetings themselves are informal and there’s plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
It’s a two-way system in that Jean-Marie Cullen, NYCI International Officer, passes on information about EU policy
that I report back to IWA Youth Services and we, as members of IAC, give information and opinions on EU policy
from our perspective.”
In February 2008, Dara went to Brussels to visit Espace
Léopold, the complex of parliament buildings which
houses the European Parliament, on his first IAC trip.
“I really benefited from this trip as it gave me an impression
of how big the European institutions are and highlighted
the need for me to learn more and continue to raise the issues that are important to young people with physical disabilities so that changes can be made.”
Jean-Marie Cullen says, “Dara Carroll’s involvement on
the IAC ensures that the issues affecting young people
with limited mobility remain top of the agenda.”
To find out more about getting involved in European youth
policy, contact: Daragh Kennedy, IWA National Youth Development Officer. Tel: 045 861 346 / 087 997 5444.
Email: [email protected]. Jean-Marie Cullen, International Officer, NYCI. Email: [email protected] Web:
www.international.youth.ie
FOR YOUTH BY YOUTH CONFERENCE
Young member Sean
O’Kelly reports on NCYI’s
recent conference ‘For
Youth By Youth’
recently attended The National Youth Council of Ireland’s
Conference, ‘For Youth By Youth’ as a representative of
IWA Youth. The conference was held on September 5th
in the European Union House on Dawson Street. The
conference was an opportunity for young people around Ireland to give their ideas on the new strategy for youth developed by The European Commission.
There were eight different workshops: Employment and
Entrepreneurship; Participation and Social Inclusion; Education; Volunteering; Health; Youth in the World; and Youth
Work. I went to the Employment and Entrepreneurship, and
Youth Work workshops. I felt more involved in the Employment and Entrepreneurship workshop as I felt I had more to
I
A presentation at the conference
say about the difficulties people with disabilities face when trying to get a job – one of the biggest difficulties being whether
the business premises are accessible or not. I really enjoyed
the day and hope that the issue of access will be raised as an
important topic in Europe.
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news
OFFICIAL OPENING OF LEO CLOSE APARTMENTS
On Tuesday 10th November John
Moloney, TD, Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health officially
opened the six Independent Living
Apartments in the IWA complex in
Clontarf. These apartments, which
featured on the cover of our last issue,
were refurbished with funding from
POBAL/Dormant Accounts Fund and
a very generous private benefactor.
The apartments were brought up to
the highest modern standards of accessibility and now provide modern,
bright and comfortable living accommodation for members.
Cutting the ribbon to formally open the new Leo Close Independent Living apartments. L to r: John
Moloney, TD, Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health; Oliver Murphy, founder member; Kathleen Mc Loughlin CEO, IWA; Brendan and Bernie Close, brother and sister of the late Fr Leo Close
Eileen O’Mahony, President of IWA, in front of
the apartments
The apartments will be known as
the Leo Close Apartments in memory
of one of IWA’s founding members Fr
Leo Close. Fr Leo was renowned for
his belief in the importance of independence for people with disabilities.
These apartments are seen as the
first step towards independent living.
The residents are entitled to stay in
their apartments for up to 18 months
and then will hopefully move onto
other independent accommodation
equipped with new skills and confidence.
Bernie Close and Brendan Close in front of
an image of Fr Leo Close taken when he
was about to board a plane to the first
Paralympics in Rome in 1960
Back (l-r): Vijoy Chakraborty, OT, IWA; Bronagh Lee, Independent Living Coordinator; Zoubida
Djemai (resident); Brendan Close; Kathleen Mc Loughlin; Bernie Close; and Derek Houlihan
(resident) Front (l-r): Amy Kelly (resident) and Oliver Murphy
Oliver Murphy chatting with resident Derek
Houlihan
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Page 50
EVENTS
LONGFORD TEAM SWOOP TOP AWARD
AT LUCAN FISHING COMPETITION
A team from Kenagh Resource Centre took first
place in the Lucan Fishing Competition held at
the Grand Canal, Ballyteague, Co Kildare. The
competition, organised by Lucan Resource Centre, took place in September and was sponsored
by Waterways Ireland. There were 12 teams
comprising of 48 competitors from all parts of
Ireland. The winning teams also received rods
and reels sponsored by Corkagh Park Fisheries.
Pictured: The winning team. Back (l-r): Anthony Feeney, Stewart Glendenning, Sean
Percival, Edward Hawkins, John Mimnagh, Peter Foy, John O’Reilly, and Paul Donohoe.
Front (l-r): Patrick McNeil, Shane Moran, Michael Rodgers, Gerry Dolan, Sean Carthy,
and Martin Tarmey
LIMERICK GROUP VISITS CUISLE
st Park
h Key Fore
up at Loug
ro
g
k
ic
er
e Lim
Pictured: Th
FUNDRAISERS
For the third consecutive year, IWA
staff completed the 26.2 mile Dublin
City Marathon raising much needed
funds for services and equipment.
This year was the 30th anniversary of
the race with the largest ever field of
12,500 runners. The weather was
near perfect for marathon running with
unusually warm and dry conditions for
the end of October. This year’s IWA
marathon team of friends and staff included Natasha Spremo from the Assisted Living Office, Karen Cronin from
the Carmel Fallon Holiday Centre in
Clontarf, Martin Kelly from IWA’s Training Department, John O’Grady from
IWA Finance Department, Jean Coleman from Cuisle Holiday Centre, Alan
Grimes from IWA IT Department and
Chris Hoey from IWA’s Dublin North
East Region. Of the seven staff members, five were running the marathon
for the first time and were entering the
unknown. Before the start of the race,
50
Eight junior service users from Limerick spent an enjoyable four days in Cuisle in August. While there,
they went bowling in Roscommon, and spent a fabulous day in Lough Key Forest Park (where the sun
was shining despite the fact that it was raining back
in Cuisle!). A visit to Athlone for some retail therapy
added to the fun and the trip was finished off with a
visit to Coole Park, outside Gort, on the way back to
Limerick. Once more, a very big ‘thank you’ goes to
all the staff in Cuisle for making the stay so enjoyable.
IWA STAFF & FRIENDS COMPLETE 30TH DUBLIN CITY MARATHON
the talk among the team was of nerves,
sleepless nights and how to get
through the infamous marathon “wall”.
At the end of the race, each member
of the team achieved their personal objective of finishing, with the “wall” successfully negotiated. Each participant
had their marathon medal placed
around their neck and gratefully and deservedly received their “I ran the Dublin
Marathon” tee-shirt – experiences that
will long stay in the memory. The post
race talk between team
members was of congratulations, of pride and
of relief. There was also a feeling that all
the lonely hours of training at night or
during the early morning hours when
others were still sleeping was worth it
for the feeling of achievement. The pain
in the legs, the tiredness of the muscles
and the fatigue of the body were forgotten and the collective minds turned to
next year’s race and doing it all again.
If you are interested in joining the
IWA marathon team next year, please
contact Helen Power of IWA’s fundraising department on 01 818 6469.
Pictured (l-r): Chrissie Hardiman and Jean Coleman who
raised over €2,500 for Cuisle
Pictured (l-r): Chris Hoey, Alan Grim
es, Martin Kelly, Natasha
Spremo, Karen Cronin, and Patric
ia Cronin
11/12/2009
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news
THE BANDON WALK
By Joe Lane
On the 30th August, a group gathered in the
church car park in Enniskeane. The group was
made up of people from the Irish Wheelchair Association (West Cork), Dunmanway Community
Hospital and Dunmanway Fundraising Group.
We were all there to complete a sponsored walk
to Dumanway, a distance of between seven and
nine miles. A fair stretch of the legs!
We set out in rain and followed a luxury coach
supplied by Galvin’s. At the rear of the convoy,
an IWA minibus driven by Jackie Burke made
sure no one was left behind. We walked for
pledges made by people from all over West
Cork. Bandon’s Gerry Murphy and Martin McCarthy particularly excelled in securing these;
their methods were effective and, we are assured,
legal! The walkers ranged from fit athletes through
hardened walkers to pitiful (that was me).
Patsy, Colette, Joan, Lucy and Noelle, took it
all in their stride and also collected donations on
the way from generous motorists. Liam Deasy
and Marie Murphy in their wheelchairs made it
look easy. At the halfway point, hot refreshments
were provided by Margaret O’Neill, while
Michael Crowley and Anthony Lyons organised
everyone.
As the finish line neared the weather worsened
and the skies darkened. However, the staff at the
Euro Bar rewarded our exertions with hot goodies. Everybody finished, hugely satisfied if somewhat wet. A serious amount of money had been
raised. A great day was had by all and the exercise did me the world of good. To all concerned,
a cast of thousands, many thanks. Every little
helps. We’ll all be back again next year.
Pictured above: Some happy people who just
have finished the Enniskeane to Dunmanway
sponsored walk, led by Marie Murphy (front)
who completed the course in her chair
Pictured left: Gerry Murphy (centre) who did
so much to raise funds for the walk with some
friends on the bridge at Dunmanway
Pictured: More satisfied walkers who had just crossed the finishing line at
Dunmanway sharing the moment with Liam Deasy (front) who defied the elements
to finish in his wheelchair
FRIENDS OF IWA DRAW
The September Friends of IWA
draw saw Theo Hock, Co Leitrim,
win the top prize. Theo, whose
daughter Daniella is a service
user in Carrick-on-Shannon
Resource Centre, kindly donated
his prize to the Leitrim Branch to
be used either for the Christmas
Party or towards funds for the
youth group.
Pictured: Theo and Daniella Hock,
surrounded by members and staff in
Carrick-on-Shannon Resource Centre,
being presented with the winning cheque
by Cahir O’Kane, Branch Treasurer
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news
WORD WARS
The Thursday Morning Scrabble Group in Clontarf Resource Centre, with
its addictive mix of good-humoured debate and social interaction, has
become something of an institution says staff member Dave Barry
n the Clontarf Resource Centre, a
group of ladies attend every Thursday morning to begin a day of socialising and word-fun. Before the
onset of any activity, the obligatory
‘cuppa’ and chocolate biscuit is taken
as the members discuss their weekly
events and the major stories affecting
the world. After the frontpage NAMA,
Barack O’Bama and BIFFO stories are
discussed and dissected, a game of
scrabble invariably takes place. This
Thursday morning ‘institution’ has a
long tradition, with over ten years of
triple-letter scores, triple-word scores,
the odd seven-letter ‘Scrabble’ and, intermittently, an instance of cheating
(which is often met with a blind eye and
a wide grin)!
To those of you who are unaware of
what a game of Scrabble entails; let
us enlighten you for a moment. It is
essentially a word game, whereby
each individual player receives seven
tiles (letters), with the objective of
making words that fit onto the Scrabble broad. To explain any further
would perhaps perplex more than
simplify; suffice it to say that it is a
game which can be played by anybody and one which is actually a
great exercise for the brain.
To the Thursday ladies’ group, who
are often referred to as the ‘intellectual
group’, the game of Scrabble is a
brain-trainer, a challenge, a contest –
but also a social event, with additional
players always welcome. Many games
run to 90 minutes or so, simply for the
fact that remarks turn into conversations, conversations into debates and
finally into laughs. As with any hobby,
their fondness for their game of Scrabble is due to a combination of the nu-
I
Back (l-r): Ann Ryan and Margaret McCarthy. Front (l-r): Valerie Dillon, Anne Jordan and Sr
Catherine Garry
ances of the game and the social
interaction.
As we have said above, there have
been in the past (even the recent past!),
instances of cheating! However, amid
the constant conversation and laughter,
the ladies do take the game seriously
at times. There was an issue with correct spelling and as such, the ladies
bought an official Scrabble dictionary.
This led to a greater level of spelling
and the adoption of many new words
into the weekly game. The Thursday
Scrabble board could often resemble
an academic piece, with the words ‘Qi’
(the vital energy in Chinese medicine),
‘Xi’ (the 14th letter of the Greek alphabet) and ‘Zing’ (the quality that makes
something lively) making their presence
known.
The weekly game of Scrabble has
helped to create many friendships
throughout the years. The social nature
of the game, where the ladies often
help each other to construct words if
they are having difficulty, allows for the
ice to be permanently broken between
both new members and old. New
members who have joined the Scrabble group within the last few years have
registered their pleasure at the relative
ease of their integration and inclusion.
The ladies’ Scrabble group on a
Thursday continues to take great
pleasure in this simple, yet absorbing
and slightly addictive game. Gentlemen
within the centre have been known to
run the gauntlet and challenge; however, not one has withstood the test of
time. Whether it is too intellectual, too
good natured, too hard or simply includes too many conversations unsuitable to a gentleman’s ear, we simply do
not know! If anybody would ever like to
pop in for a game, the ladies would be
more than willing to accept a challenge. Bring conversation on NAMA,
the Lisbon Treaty or the possibility of a
new Government; but beware, bring
your ‘A’ game, for your challenge will
be met head-on with a fervent zeal (13
points in Scrabble)!
spokeout
53
11/12/2009
15:59
Page 54
news
IWA CAR AND HOME
INSURANCE SCHEMES
The IWA Car and Home Insurance Schemes, launched in March this year,
have been delivering real value to our members and staff. Members and
employees who have arranged policies under the IWA schemes have
secured premium savings, some running into hundreds of euro, as well as
availing of the broad cover offered by the schemes
e are pleased to announce that the Glennon/Allianz prize of a year’s free car insurance has been won by Maggie Woods,
Roscam, Galway.
Maggie is a FÁS Supervisor working with IWA in Tuam
Resource and Outreach Centre. She is a very strong supporter of the concept of Community Employment schemes
and how they help to empower people, and her own
progress is testament to this. She also believes that she
would not be in the position she is in today if it was not for
the support that IWA provides to her.
Maggie intended to get a car insurance quotation from
Glennon when her policy fell due for renewal, having already recommended the insurance schemes to other IWA
members at Tuam Resource Centre and having heard positive feedback about the competitive prices and service
they received. Maggie was very pleased with the saving
she achieved and was then delighted to hear that she had
won a year’s free car insurance. She confessed that she
thought it was a joke when she was first told that she had
won as she had never won anything before.
Glennon and Allianz are again offering the chance to win
a year’s free car insurance for staff and members whose
car or home insurance policies fall due for renewal during
January, February and March 2010, or who are arranging
new car and home insurance policies during these months.
To qualify for this draw, simply contact Glennon for a free
IWA Insurance Scheme quotation.
Remember that the IWA Insurance schemes have
been specifically designed to cater for the insurance
requirements of IWA members and staff and the scheme
W
Angela Gavigan (left), Service Co-ordinator, Merlin Park Resource, and
Outreach Centre, Galway, presenting a year’s free car insurance to
IWA staff member Maggie Woods
policies for example include:
• Free cover for mobility aids in the home up to a value of
€3,000
• Free cover for the cost of repairing the adaptation of any
car for use by disabled drivers following loss or damage
insured by the policy.
If you have not already availed of the benefits of the IWA
Insurance Schemes, why not get a quote as you will be
impressed with the results. Remember that the schemes
apply to members and staff of IWA including their spouses,
partners and carers.
BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN
In order to get a quotation and to be in with a chance of
winning a year’s free car insurance, contact Glennon by:
• Calling Glennon on 1890 812 221
• Emailing [email protected]
54
• Completing the online enquiry form at iwa.glennons.ie
• Faxing Glennon at 01 707 5990
• Writing to Glennon at Charlemont House, Charlemont
Place, Dublin 2
11/12/2009
16:00
Page 55
letters
YOUR VIEWS Got something to say? Write to us at Spokeout,
Irish Wheelchair Association, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3
ATTENDANT SERVICES
Dear Editor
I have the same problem as Nora Alford (highlighted in the
autumn issue of Spokeout) regarding attendants at petrol
stations. Often, I find I could wait all day for someone to attend to me. I did have a chat with the owners of several of
my local stations but was given various excuses, including
that staff are busy with other tasks such as putting out coal
or gas, and don’t always notice the pumps. With this in mind,
I feel petrol stations should consider employing people just to
help at the pumps.
Also, I don’t see why petrol companies don’t put a bell on
petrol pumps that rings in the shop when a disabled person
pulls in. In one petrol station I know, they do have a notice up
FLOOD RELIEF IN CORK
Dear Editor
I am a member of IWA in Cork City. During our plight with the
recent floods, we had no water and I got worried about how I
would have a wash. My husband, Leo, phoned numerous
hotels and sports complexes to see if they had a disabled
shower with a seat. Most of them could not facilitate me, but
one hotel, The Radisson Hotel, Little Island, told my husband
to bring me down.
When we got there, I was sent to the pool showers where I
met the manager of the pool and gymnasium. She was very
nice and polite to us. She handed my husband a key to a
disabled room and said to take as long as we needed. The
saying, “If you require help, just ask”. However, the sign is in
the shop rather than on the petrol pump – so if you are stuck
and cannot walk into the shop, it is of no use! It is very annoying to have to wait at petrol pumps for five or ten minutes
without anyone coming over. On many occasions, I have had
to drive off to the next town to get petrol.
Please give a copy of this letter to Nora Alford, and let her
know that I would support a campaign to put pressure on oil
companies and garage owners to be of more help to the disabled driver.
Yours, etc.
Hilary Naughton
Co Roscommon
room was so disabled friendly that I wanted to stay. In all my
time staying in hotels on my holidays in Ireland, I have never
come across a hotel that caters for disabled people so well.
After we finished showering, we went to reception to give
back the key card and we were offered a cup of tea. We
were told as long as the water was gone, we could use the
hotel facilities, which we did about three times for free.
I just hope you print this and well done to The Radisson
Hotel, Little Island – a great place!
Yours, etc.
Catherine Scannell
Cork
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE THE VIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL READERS AND DO
NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF IWA
11/12/2009
16:09
Page 56
crossword
Crossword
To be in with a chance of winning one of two €50
‘One4all’ gift tokens, which can be used in 4,500
outlets nationwide, simply send your completed
crossword along with your name and address to:
Spokeout Crossword, Irish Wheelchair Association,
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Correct entries
will be entered into a draw on Friday 20 February
2010 and two winners drawn.
Crossword No. 6 by Gordius
Across
1. Piece of dining linen. (10)
6. Mimics. (4)
10. Honour earned by one
part of the hospital? (5)
11. High, dropping kick in
rugby - an 'up and under'.
(9)
12. Major city in Belgium. (7)
15. The main artery of the
body. (5)
17. Chamber. (4)
18. Slightly open. (4)
19. Be one by buying one.
(5)
21 and 20 down. "Hello,
Spring!" "Hi, Autumn!" - as
wished at this time of year?
(7,9)
23. Molars, for example. (5)
24. South American country.
(4)
25. Type of golf club. (4)
26. A gourd or cantaloupe.
(5)
28. Natural aptitudes. (7)
33. Hilarity. (9)
34. Pick-me-up. (5)
35. Band worn round
the waist or over the
shoulder. (4)
36. Event in which one
hopes charitably to assemble a collection of note! (10)
Down
1. A kind of hardwood. (4)
2. Inspirational idea. (9)
3. Make a gift as yellow, flow
and how all do! (5)
4. Beer. (5)
5. Fruit-filled pie. (4)
7. Might, force. (5)
8. A nasal cut's about to become an annual visitor. (5,5)
9. Nightwear. (7)
13. Convenience, comfort.
(4)
14. Gift. (7)
16. I met no maps at the
seasonal shows. (10)
20. See 21 across.
21. Party. (7)
22. Name which means
'Christmas'. (4)
27. Entices. (5)
29. Performed a role in a
play or film. (5)
30. Surplus. (5)
31. Bill of fare. (4)
small ads
FOR SALE
Cars and accessories
Car boot hoist Very little used. €950
ono. Tel: 087 282 1515
Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle
Bus 2008 Ricon lift, alloy rims,
14,000 km. €32,000. Tel: 087 644
6339 or 068 46204
Fiat Doblo 1.9 2004 NCT to November 2010, rear lift for wheelchair
access, 29,000 miles. €8,250. Tel: 086
306 3201
56
32. Mark on the skin from an
old wound. (4)
14. Travel to and from one’s
place of work. (7)
16. Speculation. (10)
20. Tick voles off as farm
animals. (9)
21. Easily broken. (7)
22. Breaking stories. (4)
27. Not married. (5)
29. Man from Aberdeen? (5)
30. Muslim religion. (5)
31. Jetty. (4)
32. Prophet, visionary
mystic. (4)
CROSSWORD WINNERS FOR AUTUMN 2009
C Beirne, Castlerea, Co Roscommon;
B Dowdall, Leixlip, Co Kildare
SCRIBBLE BOX
If you have an item for sale, a holiday contact or a personal advert, please send
approx 25 words to Small ads, Spokeout, IWA, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin
3. Small ads are free-of-charge to members. Adverts for accessible holiday
accommodation are €20.00 (cheques or postal orders payable to IWA Ltd).
Swivel seat Best offer. Tel 087 644
6339 or 068 46204
Wheelchairs, scooters and
adaptive equipment
RGK Maxima wheelchair Never
used. Cost €4,500, will sell for €4,000.
Tel: 083 331 8711
Invacare mobility scooter
Excellent condition, dismantles
easily, fits in very small car boot.
Needs new battery. Free to good
home. Tel: 01 280 7974
Enigma Energi power chair
18” seat, kerb climber, perfect
condition. Cost €3,000, will sell
for €1,800. Tel: 01 455 4836
Property for sale
Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
Wheelchair adapted
bungalow Three bedrooms,
ramps to mature gardens front
and rear, large attic space.
Close to all amenities.
To view, please contact 01
821 5304.

NIALL AND GILLIAN QUINN JOIN YOUNG MEMBERS TO LAUNCH

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