- Irish Wheelchair Association

Transcription

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spokeout
Lifestyle magazine for people with limited mobility published by the Irish Wheelchair Association
€4.00
Spring 2010
In good
hands
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF
THE IRISH WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION
50th Anniversary
Creative Writing
Competition
Living the
good life
Munster sporting
ambitions
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Contents 20
COVER FEATURE
5 In good hands
CEO Kathleen Mc Loughlin on the
celebration of IWA’s 50th Anniversary
6 A true gentleman
Oliver Murphy on the spirit behind
the foundation of IWA and the ups
and downs of his own life
COMPETITION
9 Creative Writing Competition
Details of our 50th Anniversary
Creative Writing Competition
FEATURES
25 Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Daniella Hock recalls an emotional
pilgrimage to Lourdes
OPINION
27 A fresh perspective
Zaynab Salman on living with a
disability in Iraq
MOTORING
34 New year, new car?
The Scrappage Scheme and the
potential deals to be struck
LIVING
37 Employment incentives and
opportunities
Employment incentives available
to people with disabilities
12 Reader recommendations
Readers share info on their favourite
products, as well as innovative
40 The good life
‘home-made’ access solutions
Gary Allen gets to grips with the
reality of growing his own veg
14 Out of the dark
How Marian Moloney overcame
42 Gardens of the future
her fear of losing her sight
Reduce flood risk through intelligent garden design
ACCESS
17 Pub life
A cartoon take on some typical
Friday-night-at-the-pub scenarios
19 A quick guide to accessible
parking bays
Practical considerations when
providing accessible parking
TRAVEL
20 Travels Down Under
Kiara Lynch returns from her
back-packing adventure in New
Zealand and Australia
23 Holidaying at home
Accessible accommodation
in Ireland
44
SPORT
44 Munster ambition
Paul Ryan on plans to promote
Munster as a centre of accessible
sporting excellence
YOUTH
50 Hot wheels
Youth member and volunteer
Lorraine Maher, aka “Hot wheels”
NEWS
52 IWA 50th Anniversary news
News on 50th Anniversary events
and fundraising initiatives
53 News mix
Disability-related news mix
57 Regional snapshots
What’s going on at IWA centres
around the country
REGULARS
59 Crossword
Crossword No 7 by Gordius
59 Small ads
Sell on items or pick up a bargain
49 Youth news
Youth news mix
60 Your views
Letters to the editor
12
See pages 29 – 32 for details
and booking forms for IWA’s
Annual Conference and AGM
2010. Postal vote details are
on p53
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introduction
elcome to the spring
2010 issue. Our
cover features Oliver
Murphy, the only
surviving founder member of IWA,
together with 7-year-old Shane
Barker from Donabate, one of IWA’s youngest
members. Oliver and Shane met up in Dublin this
month to pose for a new An Post stamp, which
will be launched in September to celebrate IWA’s
50th Anniversary.
As part of the 50th celebrations, we are also
launching a Creative Writing Competition in
partnership with the Irish Writers’ Centre.
Aspiring writers can enter poetry, fiction or
autobiographical non-fiction. We look forward to
reading, and possibly publishing, your work.
Hope you enjoy the issue, and please
remember to get in touch if you have a story or
opinion to share.
W
MEET SOME OF
S…
OUR CONTRIBUTOR
Kiara Lynch
Editorial assistant Kiara Lynch has just
returned from an 11-week backpacking trip
Down Under, which she tells us all about in
this issue. Whilst away, Kiara got engaged
to her boyfriend Nick, and she says she is “still getting
used to wearing a sparkly ring!” With her savings blown
by her amazing trip, Kiara says reading is the only pastime
she can afford and she is currently engrossed in yet
another Jodi Picoult book Handle with Care.
Gary Allen
Gary Allen lives in Galway with his wife and
assortment of pets. As a professional web
developer, he has his head stuck at a
computer all day. But when he does
manage to break free, he loves eating, reading, writing,
scuba diving and sailing, and has a new found love of
growing veg. In this issue, Gary tells us about the ups and
downs of self-sufficiency.
Zaynab Salman
Joanna Marsden, Editor
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
Diarmuid Doran
Editorial Assistance
Kiara Lynch, Colette Molloy
Distribution
Shanahan Direct
Editorial Design Manager
Layla Hogan
Joint Managing Directors, Dyflin
Karen Hesse, Philip McGaley
Advertising and Marketing
Design Manager & Design
this Issue
Diarmuid O’Connor
Editorial enquiries to:
The Editor, Spokeout, Irish
Wheelchair Association,
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
Tel: (00 353) 1 818 6455
Email: [email protected]
Advertising Production
Co-ordinator
Amina Ferradj
Advertising Production
Ciaran McBride
Printing
W&G Baird Ltd
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 20,200 IWA
members and to Government
bodies and other disability
interest groups.
ISSN NO: 1393-8517
Zaynab Salman is a human rights and
women’s rights activist. Originally from Iraq
but living in Dublin, Zaynab still works with
special needs organisations in Iraq via
skype conferences. She is currently a media student at
Ballsbridge College. Already a published writer in her own
language, Zaynab recently undertook a work placement
with Spokeout, during which she wrote an article on the
differing attitudes to disability in Iraq and Ireland.
Niall McDonnell
Niall McDonnell has a passion for motoring,
and, as the proud owner of a 67 Ford
Mustang, he also has a love of vintage
cars. Niall recently married his fiancée
Kathryn with whom he loves to travel. They are hoping to
have a motoring holiday in France later this year. In this
issue, Niall considers whether now is a good time to
upgrade your car.
Colette Molloy
Colette Molloy is a born and bred ‘Dub’. To
relax, Colette loves knitting, crochet,
crosswords, and attending dog shows with
some of her five dogs. She works in IWA’s
Communications Department and does a lot of behind the
scenes work on Spokeout, including preparing the regional
snapshots, holiday recommendations and the crossword.
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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cover feature
IN GOOD HANDS
IWA CEO Kathleen Mc Loughlin reflects on the
achievements of IWA’s founder members, the spirit of the
Association and the celebrations planned for 2010
2010 is a most historic year for the Irish Wheelchair
Association. It is wonderful to see one of our founding
members, Oliver Murphy, on our front cover with one of our
youngest members, seven-year-old Shane Barker from
Donabate, providing living proof of his continuing
commitment to the Association and its members. We are
indebted to him and his fellow founding members for their
vision in setting up the Association which, with people with
disabilities involved at every level, continues to strive for the
full integration of people with disabilities as equal,
independent and participative members of the community.
Thank you, Oliver.
This involvement of people with disabilities in determining
the direction and strategy for the Association is unique and
very precious, as it ensures that we can never lose touch
with what are the ‘real’ issues that affect people’s lives.
This reality is most clearly demonstrated through our
Annual Conference and AGM, where members have the
opportunity to raise the issues of concern to them and to
elect members of the Board to work on their behalf. The full
details on this year’s event in Kilkenny are included in this
issue and we encourage all members to come along and
be part of our biggest gathering of the year. It promises to
be an extra special event this year with a 1960s themed
Oliver Murphy and
Shane Barker will
feature on
a special 50th
Anniversary stamp,
due to be
launched by
An Post this
September
‘Big Day Out’ in The
Watershed, Scanlon Park,
on Sunday. The day will
have something for everyone
from our National Junior
Athletics Championships to
parachute jumps from the
Defence Forces, best
dressed ladies, big bands,
swimming, monster
barbeque, food fair, arts and
crafts, competitions and
prizes, and much, much
more.
We are still working on
finalising the programme, but you can be assured that this
is one event you will not want to miss. Full details will be
available on our website or through your local Resource
Centre or office. Some of you will have already attended
one of our Birthday Parties in our centres on the fiftieth day
of the year, 19th February, and so may have already put
together your 1960s costume. If not, it’s time to start
looking for that special garment to make you stand out
from the crowd in Kilkenny!
The foundation of the
Irish Wheelchair Association
In September 1960, Ireland entered a team into the first
Paralympic Games which took place in Rome. It was
at this event that the seed was planted amongst our
founder members to form an organisation that would
work to achieve greater independence, freedom and
choice for people living with a disability.
Just two months after their return from Rome, on the
10th November 1960, several of the team members
came together with some other progressive individuals
in the Pillar Room of the Mater Hospital, Dublin, and
formed the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Our founding members were: Fr Leo Close,
Chairperson; Jack Kerrigan, Secretary; Oliver Murphy,
Treasurer; Joe Davis; Kay Hayes; Joe Domican; Joe
Oliver Murphy with
Shane Barker at
the recent
photoshoot for the
IWA stamp, due to
be launched this
S
Members of the first Irish Paralympic Team, Jack Kerrigan,
Fr Leo Close, Joan Horan, Oliver Murphy and Jimmy Levins, along
with team support staff, as they board the Irish Airlines
flight to Rome, September 1960. Picture courtesy of The Irish Times
Craven; and Jimmy Levins. These eight people had
vision and determination and these qualities remain at
the core of the Irish Wheelchair Association today in our
members, volunteers and staff.
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A true
GENTLEMAN
In conversation with Joanna Marsden,
founder member Oliver Murphy and
his wife Joan recall the dramatic ups
and downs of his life, including his
accident and rehabilitation in the late 50s, the
first Paralympic Games, the early days of IWA
and his terrifying second brush with death
liver Murphy, who turns 75 this year, is the only
founder member of the Irish Wheelchair
Association alive to celebrate the organisation’s
50th anniversary this year.
Oliver grew up in Drogheda, Co Louth, where he was
educated at the local Christian Brothers’ school, enjoying
GAA, athletics and gymnastics in his free time. After an
apprenticeship as an electrician, a 23-year old Oliver
moved to Carlow to work in the Carlow Sugar Factory.
One night, in July 1959, Oliver began a late shift, “When I
arrived, I found the lime kiln had stopped working. This
60-foot structure ground the limestone that was used in
the sugar purification process, and was loaded using a
steel bucket and a rope. I climbed as far as I could up the
side of the kiln and could see that the bucket wasn’t
tipping properly. A stone had got jammed between the lip
of the bucket and the kiln. I couldn’t reach the bucket so I
shouted down and one of my colleagues went to get a
poker. But I was an athletic young lad, and while he was
gone, I got impatient and decided to climb to the top
myself. I flicked the jammed stone, causing the bucket to
suddenly release. The bucket crashed down on me, hitting
me on the spine and knocking me to the floor.”
Oliver’s colleagues found him in a heap on the ground. “I
was taken on a stretcher into the sick room and a priest
was called while we waited on the ambulance.” Oliver says
that the ambulance men who took him to Waterford
Hospital afterwards told him that they thought he was “a
gonner at least twice”.
In Waterford, the orthopaedic surgeon used a silver plate
to bring Oliver’s spinal column back into line and confirmed
that Oliver had a T10 break, paralysing him from the waist
down. Oliver remembers experiencing severe pain from the
damaged nerve endings on his spinal cord and
acknowledges that the months after his accident were dark
times. “I’m not a ‘holy Joe’ but I do have faith. At the time, I
was fairly mad at God, but I knew there was nothing I
O
6
could do, I had to accept it. So I tried to go with the idea of
offering my pain and suffering up to God, as a prayer, and
this helped.”
In April 1960, Oliver was transferred to Stoke Mandeville
in the UK, where he says the physiotherapy was so intense
he didn’t have time to feel sorry for himself. “The focus was
all on rehabilitation, on getting back to life. I remember my
physio, Mrs Dorph, a tough Norwegian woman. She’d say
‘No slacking! It’s for your own good!’.”
In their free time, patients were encouraged to keep
active. “Archery was a big thing in the UK and we used to
compete at pubs and clubs. It’s one of those sports where
you can compete whether you are in a wheelchair or not.
The archery got us out, which was a big step, as a lot of
people felt self-conscious and worried that people were
looking at them.”
During his three months at Stoke Mandeville, Oliver also
made friends with many of the Irish nurses who were over
there to train for the changeover of the old TB Hospital in
Dun Laoghaire into the National Rehabilitation Hospital
(NRH).
Oliver says Stoke Mandeville taught him a lot. “They were
world leaders in rehabilitation and they had the right frame
of mind. We were imbued with this spirit, a belief that we
could do lots of things.”
Oliver came home in June 1960 after 51 weeks in
hospital. He moved into his family home in Drogheda,
where his parents made a make-shift bedroom for him
downstairs, and he did his best to settle back into normal
life. “My younger sister Catherine, who was only nine at the
time, was a great handler of the chair and used to bring me
into town. And one of the lads in the local cinema would
pull me onto the balcony.”
Oliver became good friends with fellow Drogheda
resident Jack Kerrigan, whom he had met at Stoke
Mandeville. Through Jack, Oliver met Father Leo Close,
who had also been at Stoke Mandeville a few years earlier,
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cover feature
and was the first wheelchair user in the world to have been
ordained. Father Leo was leading Ireland’s team (funded by
Rehab) for the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960,
and both Oliver and Jack were selected.
When they got to Rome, Oliver says, “The wheelchair
users were the stars of the show and this really gave us a
lift. I was pleased to come sixth in archery, thanks to my
Stoke Mandeville training. And then, on the journey back to
Ireland, the team stopped at Lourdes. This gave us another
lift and when I got home I felt I was on another level of
existence. I’d had one hell of a hoist up and from then on, I
never felt moody or down.”
It was this spirit of optimism and hope, the new-found
friendships, and the realisation that in many other
countries, people with disabilities were living independently,
that led members of the Paralympic team to join with other
like-minded individuals to found an organisation dedicated
to improving the lives of wheelchair users in Ireland. “We
could see that the other athletes were better equipped and
had a better life at home. Father Leo wanted to know what
could be done to improve things here – self-help he called
it – and he was really the driving force behind the
foundation of IWA in November 1960.”
In the early days of the Association, Oliver says the focus
was on getting people out of their houses. “Until then, you
didn’t really see people in wheelchairs. IWA opened up a
whole new world, getting people out for socials every week
and bringing them on holidays.”
Oliver also put his energy into building a more
independent life for himself. With compensation from the
sugar factory, he was able to build a house, which he still
lives in today, and an adjoining electrical workshop. He
says that his parents, brothers and sisters, extended family
and friends were an invaluable support to him throughtout
this process. Oliver also bought an adapted car and got
back to driving.
As Oliver was driving off after one of the IWA holidays in
Cork in 1964, he slowed to say hello to a young nurse who
was walking by with her sister tutor. This nurse, Joan,
would eventually become Oliver’s wife. Joan liked Oliver
instantly and remembered him when she saw him again
four years later. “I was coming off night duty at Holles
Street Hospital and he was on College Green doing an IWA
flag day. I stopped and we chatted, and he said he’d ring
me that night and we’d go out. Oliver kept his word, and I
remember telling a friend, ‘I’m just after being out with the
man I’m going to marry’.”
In the years that followed, Oliver continued his sporting
career, taking up weight-lifting and basketball, and
representing Ireland at several Stoke Mandeville Games
and also the Paralympics in Tokyo in 1964, Tel Aviv in 1968
and Heidelburg in 1972. Joan and Oliver married in 1971
and, over the next decade, life went well for them, with the
arrival of two children, Móna and Thomas, and success in
Oliver’s electrical business.
Then, in 1980, Oliver suddenly became ill. “It just hit me
Oliver at the
Paralympics in 1964
one Friday evening. I was pushing my chair and my fingers
kept sticking to the chair. By the following morning, I couldn’t
stir, I was like a ten-tonne weight. Joan managed to get me
down to the Lourdes Hospital, where they gave me a shot of
multi-vitamins. But my breathing was getting shallower and
soon a helicopter was called to take me to the Richmond
Hospital in Dublin. Doctors eventually diagnosed GuillainBarré syndrome, a rare viral condition that attacks the central
nervous system.” They were able to stabilise Oliver, although
in the weeks that followed, Oliver “couldn’t eat, drink, breath,
move or sleep”.
Oliver was transferred to the NRH where he was placed in
a rotating bed. His recovery was slow and when, months
later, he was allowed to go home, his muscles were so
wasted that he felt like “a bag of spuds”. His former
paralympic trainer, Raymond Buckley, came by three times a
week for over a year to help Oliver in his battle to re-gain
strength.
Both Joan and Oliver believe that a positive attitude has
enabled them to get through any set-backs they have faced.
Joan says, “We have a great life with our children and our
granddaughter, Cait. We have a lot of respect for each other.
When the kids were growing up, they used to say, “This
house does not prepare us for life – everything is too calm!”
We didn’t worry about things like what they wore or what
they did with their hair. Móna used to look at Oliver and say,
“Is he for real? How can he always be in such good
humour?”
After nearly 40 years of marriage, Joan knows that he is for
real. “I remember when he had Guillain-Barré’s and was
unable to talk, you could still see in his eyes that he was
trying to say thank you to the nurses who helped him.” Joan
believes that this peacefulness comes from “not having a
chip on his shoulder and being a very accepting person.”
Last summer, Oliver had a triple heart bypass, from which
he has recovered well. “I feel very lucky to be able to enjoy
time with my family and also to be involved in the 50th
Anniversary celebrations of an organisation that has been so
much part of my life.”
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Spokeout magazine is pleased to announce its first Creative Writing Competition, which is being run in partnership with
the Irish Writers’ Centre as part of the Irish Wheelchair Association’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.
The aim of the competition is to encourage and support writers with disabilities, or those with close experience of disability. We
know there are many of you out there! Whether your passion is for prose or poetry, we would love to read, and possibly publish,
your work.
Entrants are invited to submit an original and unpublished piece of creative writing. The piece
should fall into one of three categories:
Fiction
One short story not more than 2,500 words in length
Autobiographical non-fiction
One piece not more than 2,500 words in length
Poetry
1-4 poems (each poem should not exceed 50 lines)
There is no restriction as to the theme or subject matter of your entry, simply run with whatever
moves or inspires you!
The final round of judging will be carried out by author and journalist Michael J Farrell. A total of fifteen winners will be chosen as
follows:
A first-prize winner who will receive: a cash prize of €250; an invitation to a weekend Writers’ Workshop (meals & accommodation
included), organised by the Irish Writers’ Centre and tutored by Michael J Farrell, on June 18th & 19th at Cuisle Holiday Centre,
Co. Roscommon; and an invitation to the prize-giving at IWA’s Annual Conference Gala Dinner on May 22nd. The winning entry will
be published in the Summer edition of Spokeout.
Two runners-up/second-prize winners who will receive: a cash prize of €100 each; an invitation to the Writers’ Workshop (meals &
accommodation included), at Cuisle Holiday Centre; and an invitation to the prize-giving at IWA’s Annual Conference Gala Dinner on
May 22nd. These entries will be published in Spokeout during 2010.
12 further runners-up who will be invited to attend the Writers’ Workshop (meals & accommodation included) at Cuisle. Entries from
these runners-up may be selected for publication in subsequent issues of Spokeout.
Before entering, please take the time to read carefully the terms and conditions set out overleaf. And, finally, we wish you luck,
inspiration and guts! We look forward to seeing the fruits of your labour!
ON GETTING DOWN TO WRITING…
And by the way, everything in life is
writable about if you have the outgoing
guts to do it, and the imagination to
improvise. The worst enemy to
creativity is self-doubt.
...Procrastination is the default mode of all
writers who, while yearning to write, generally
need a metaphorical Colt 45 pressed to their
temple before overcoming stage fright and
actually getting down to it.
If you're daunted in the face of a poem or story, remember
how we started with grunting, then found words, put
them on cave walls, on papyrus, on to printing press and
text message. There is no wrong way, not even grunting.
But sometimes the words echo, and that's a blast.
Sylvia Plath, American poet, novelist,
children's author, and short story author
Dermot Bolger, Irish writer (quote from his article
‘Getting down to writing business’, featured in The
Irish Times on 21st August, 2009)
Michael J Farrell, Irish writer and tutor of the IWA 50th
Anniversary Creative Writing Competition Writers’ Workshop
Michael J Farrell spent nearly a quarter-century in journalism in the USA. He has edited various books and publications and
published an award-winning novel Papabile in 1998. A short story was published in The Faber Book of Best New Irish Short
Stories, 2006-07. His short story collection Life in the Universe was published in May by the Stinging Fly Press. Creative
Commotion: The Everyman/Aquarius Anthology, 1968-1974, which he edited, was published by the Liffey Press in June 2009.
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
ENTRY FORM
(Block capitals please)
Name
.....................................................................................................................
Address
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
The IWA 50th Anniversary
Creative Writing Competition is
open to members of the Irish
Wheelchair Association. NB:
Anyone with a physical disability
can join the Irish Wheelchair
Association free-of-charge by
simply filling in a membership
form, available at www.iwa.ie
Entrants are invited to submit an
original piece of creative writing.
The piece can fall into one of
three categories:
• Fiction – one short story not
more that 2,500 words in
length
• Autobiographical non-fiction again not more than 2,500
words in length
Telephone
...................................................................................................................
Email
...................................................................................................................
• Poetry – 1-4 poems (each
poem should not exceed 50
lines)
The final winners will be selected
from all categories on the basis of
merit.
Not more than one entry should
be submitted by any individual.
There is no entry fee.
Category: (please tick one only)
Exact word count
Fiction
Autobiographical non-fiction
Poetry
This is an original work and has not been previously published,
printed or placed in a competition.
I agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of
this competition.
Signed
.....................................................................................................................
Date:
.....................................................................................................................
This entry form is available online at www.iwa.ie
Closing date for receipt of entries is
5pm Wednesday, 31st March 2010
If you have queries in relation to the competition,
email: [email protected] or telephone 01 818 6485
(Colette Molloy). No entries will be accepted via email.
There is no age limit.
All entries must be sent by
post to:
IWA 50th Anniversary Creative
Writing Competition,
Irish Wheelchair Association,
Blackheath Drive,
Clontarf, Dublin 3
by 5pm Wednesday 31st March.
All entries should be typed on A4
paper.
The entrant’s details are to be
provided only on this official entry
form. The entry form should be
paper clipped to the piece of
creative writing. Please ensure
that your name does not appear
anywhere in your piece of creative
writing. This is to ensure fairness
in the judging process.
Pages should be clearly
numbered and the title of the
piece should appear on each
page.
Please do not bind, tape or staple
your entry. Use paper clips only.
The organisers regret that work
cannot be returned, so please
make a copy of your entry.
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Reader
RECOMMENDATIONS
In recent months members have suggested a number of practical
solutions to everyday challenges. Robbie Cousins takes a look at
some of these innovative recommendations
REMOTE CONTROL PLUGS
Maureen
Breslin
with her
innovative
Phone-on-aspoon
PHONE-ON-A-SPOON SOLUTION
If you spot Maureen Breslin coming
towards you with a wooden spoon in her
hand, don’t be alarmed, she is probably
just expecting an important phone call.
Maureen, who had never been able to
hold a phone comfortably, had accepted
this as part of the challenge of her
disability and got on with her life. Then,
a couple of years ago, a friend who was
visiting observed how she struggled with
the phone and had an idea. Maureen
says, “He asked: ‘Would you by any
chance have a wooden spoon and some
Velcro in the house?’ I had both Velcro
and the wooden spoon, and a few
minutes later my friend produced what
has become an invaluable tool for me.
By attaching the phone to the top of the
spoon using Velcro, I can hold the phone
to my ear and keep it in place using the
spoon handle.” Maureen laughs: “Now
you can’t get me off the phone and
when I’m out and about, people often
wonder if I am about to attack them
when they see the wooden spoon
coming out!”
12
A DIY Remote
Control
Maureen Breslin was also recently
Extractor
delighted to discover a set of remote
control electric sockets and plugs in her
local discount supermarket. She says “You
plug your electrical device into the remote
control plug socket and plug that into a
wall socket. You can then control power to
the electrical device with a handheld
remote control.” Maureen now uses a
remote control to control electrical
appliances such as her heater and lights
throughout her home.
Remote control plugs and sockets can be purchased at any good
local hardware store and are sometimes available in local discount
supermarkets.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Following her recent trip around Australia, Kiara Lynch has a number
of items she plans never to leave home without in future. The first – a
penknife – proved to be an invaluable multifunctional tool. Kiara explains: “From cleaning debris picked up on my wheels when I was out
and about to getting boxes open or taking labels off clothes, I think a
penknife is an essential piece of equipment for any traveller. I can also
recommend carrying a set of Allen keys to dismantle your chair
whenever required.”
In a lesson-learnt scenario, in future Kiara plans to bring sealable
bags to carry liquid containers,
such as oilcans, in her luggage.
Kiara on
One DIY spillage avoidance
her recent
trip down
solution
she has discovered is a
under
two Ziploc bag system. She
explains: “You place the liquid
container upright in the first bag
and seal it, then draw down the
second bag upside down over the
first and seal. Now if any liquid
spills from its container it will be
double contained. Also, try to
pack liquid containers in your
baggage so that they are upright
when carried.”
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DESIGN YOUR
OWN FURNITURE
If you can’t find
off-the-shelf adaptive
furniture to meet your
specific requirements
in terms of function or
appearance, why not
commission a piece?
If there is no
ready-made adaptive
Bronagh Lee
solution, it makes
perfect sense to
devise one that not only does what you want it to
do, but also looks very well.
A growing number of cabinetmakers and furniture manufacturers now design and manufacture
customised adaptive furniture to brief. And the
pieces they produce not only solve specific problems, but can be aesthetically pleasing as well.
Kildare-based furniture manufacturer and
cabinetmaker Vernon Walker, who recently
manufactured a number of postboxes and television stands for the IWA independent living apartments in Clontarf, is one such craftsperson. His
portfolio of adaptive furniture also includes tables,
beds and dressers. Vernon mostly works with
oak, walnut and ash, but he will make suggestions on the best material to meet a specific
need, look or budget.
Bronagh Lee (IWA Independent Living Services
Coordinator) says: “Having a craftsman design
and manufacture a piece of furniture can make a
lot of sense, particularly if you have specific needs
that cannot be easily met by an off-the-shelf
piece of furniture.”
So, if you have a specific furniture requirement
and you haven’t been able to find an off-the-shelf
solution, then custom-manufacture may hold the
key and a quick browse through your phonebook
or an online search may uncover a cabinet-maker
or furniture manufacturer in your local area who
can help.
Further information: Vernon Walker, Roseberry,
Newbridge, Co Kildare Tel: 045 487844.
Web: www.smartfurniture.com
A TV unit designed
and made by Vernon
Walker for IWA’s Leo
Close Apartments
THE EASY USE PHONE
Marion Kane, who describes herself
as being “totally blind”, was for
many years frustrated at not being
able to find a phone that met her
specific needs. “Whether it was a
short battery life or buttons that
were just too small to use, it was imMarion Kane
possible to find a workable phone. I
began to think, unless you have a child’s hands or dexterous
fingers, there was no point in having a phone at all.” Even
NCBI recommended phones presented challenges for Marion. “I couldn’t use the NCBI phones as I found the voice on
them too robotic.”
Then one day when researching a solution online, Marion’s
daughter discovered a company called Future Positive, that
specialises in ‘Access Able’ phones for visually impaired,
hard of hearing, older people or anyone who just wants an
easy to use mobile or home phone. Marion phoned the
company, which is based in Leixlip, Co Kildare, and spoke
with MD Niall Lambe. “After listening to my frustrations, he
suggested three phones that may be of use and sent all
three to me to try out, which was incredibly generous of him
considering we had just spoken for the first time.”
Marion chose a phone called ‘The Easy Use’ phone. She
explains: “This is a lightweight and easy-to-operate phone,
with a high-visibility large button keypad. It has four memory
buttons, which I have designated for quick dial to my most
dialled numbers and it is completed with a very convenient
hands free loudspeaker.” In addition the Easy Use phone
has a transflective screen, which is a black and white display
that is very clear, even in direct sunlight, and is perfect for
people that may have a measure of visual impairment. The
Easy Use phone also has a 50-number phone book,
vibration alert and can receive SMS. Marion says: “Another
very useful feature is an emergency call button, which can
be easily activated. This could turn out to
Marion’s
be a lifesaver if you find yourself in need
Easy Use
phone
of urgent assistance. At €130, I also
is one of a
found the phone to be very affordable.”
number
of adaptive
For full details contact Future Positive,
phone
Unit 2, 80 Oaklawn Shopping Centre,
solutions on
the market
Green Lane, Leixlip, County Kildare.
Tel 01 629 5988.
Web: www.futurepositive.ie
Do you have a product or innovative ‘home-made’ solution
to recommend? If so, please send details, together with a
photograph of you, and a photo of the product, to
[email protected]
These reader recommendations represent individual
opinions and should not be construed as recommendations
from IWA or Spokeout magazine. Readers are advised to
always shop around, compare prices and consult an
occupational therapist where appropriate.
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OUT OF THE DARK
“When I was 15, Celine asked me to help with her
growing dance school and I was delighted when I got to
work with some of her younger pupils.” When Celine
expanded the business even further into Claremorris and
Castlerea, Marian took on many of the responsibilities in
the Galway studio. And, by the time she was 16, Marian
was teaching dance classes in a number of locations
around the West. “Obviously Celine was a huge support
with her encouragement, but my mother was also
incredible in that she was always there to run me back and
forth between the dance studios in her car whenever I
needed.”
But Marian’s success as a teacher at such a young age
hen Marian Maloney Nolan was a child, even
drew the ire of some other teachers in the region and they
though her mother realised she had poor
brought their concerns to An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha
eyesight, she still put Marian’s regular
(CLRG) – the Irish Dancing Commission. Marian’s mother
accidents down to “clumsiness”. It was not
became her greatest supporter and fought on her behalf
unusual to hear that Marian had crashed her bike into a
so she could continue to teach. “When the trouble arose, I
wall again, or even into the open door of a car. Whatever
was 18 years of age and fell short of the minimum age of
she did, she was always having accidents. Marian recalls:
23 to have a teaching certificate. Eventually CLRG granted
“It was 1960s Ireland, no one – not even I – realised that
my pupils a temporary registration to enter competitions.
my problems were being caused by something more than
My mother continued to fight on my behalf and the
shortsightedness.”
Connaught Dancing Teachers’ Association allowed me to
When she was 11 years of age, Marian’s father died and
study for my Diploma.” Marian took and passed her test in
her mother decided that they should move from their
1973. It was the first time that concessions were made for
original home in Sligo to start a new life in Galway City.
a student with a disability as Marian was allowed to take
When Marian was about to start secondary school, her
the examination orally.
mother became concerned that the
Teaching then became Marian’s life’s
glasses she had been prescribed in
“…at 40 years of age I work.
“When I was teaching, I forgot all
Sligo were no longer adequate, and an
stopped living in fear my troubles. I developed my own
optician’s appointment was arranged.
coping mechanisms to overcome the
A shocked optician immediately
of going blind and
challenges that arose. I had great recall
referred Marian to an ophthalmologist,
began
looking
at
the
and memorised many Feis
who, upon examining her, told her
mother that Marian was going blind.
many things I could do programmes. I learned my students’
first names and was able to pick each
He diagnosed Retinitis Pigmentosa
with my life”
one out by associating their names
(RP), a progressive condition that
with the colour of their clothes.” Mareventually leads to ‘legal blindness’.
ian’s official teaching career lasted over 20 years and the
However, he could give no indication as to how long this
day she retired in 1995 was one of the saddest in her life.
might take and never really explained how the condition
Even then she told her colleagues that she was only taking
would affect her.
some time out. But she knew her sight had deteriorated so
So from then on, into her teens and for much of her adult
much that she was no longer able to continue teaching,
life, Marian says she lived in constant fear that one morning
and she
she might wake up in total darkness.
reluctantly passed on her dance school to another teacher.
Despite these fears, Marian channelled her energies into
Following her early retirement, Marian struggled with
Irish dancing, a passion that has stayed with her for life.
depression. That is until, at 40 years of age, a chance
“Although I never completed my education, there was
encounter with a lady with a severe visual impairment led
one field in which I excelled. I loved, and still love, Irish
Marian to reassess her attitude to her disability and take a
dancing.”
completely new direction in life. Marian confided in this
By her mid-teens Marian was an accomplished Irish
lady, “I wish the Lord would take my life before he takes
dancer and her teacher, Celine Hession, was a huge
my sight.” The lady was upset at Marian’s reasoning, and
encouragement to her in dancing and in life.
Marian Maloney Nolan
spent years living in fear
that she might wake up
one morning and see
only black. She tells her
friend Sr Valerie Malone about her
life and how she overcame many
of her fears
W
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feature
Marian and Yaz pictured at the launch of the Access Awareness
Campaign run by Galway City Council to mark International Day of
People with Disability with Joe Mc Grath (Galway City Manager),
John Conneely (IWA) and Cllr Donal Lyons (Galway City Council)
helped Marian to realise that all her life she had been
conditioned by her fears and that this had prevented her
from doing many of the things she could have been doing.
Marian began to understand that she should have been
focusing on the positive aspects of her life and looking to
get fulfillment from these. The lady also explained to Marian
that only a small percentage of people experience total
‘black vision’. “It was the first time that someone had
explained the many different forms of blindness to me and,
for the first time since my problem had been diagnosed, at
40 years of age I stopped living in fear of going blind and
began looking at the many things I could do with my life.”
In the late ’90s, after her chance encounter with this lady,
Marian heard about the work of the Galway Centre for
Independent Living and in particular a programme called
‘Start Here’ which they were running in conjunction with
other agencies. She signed up for the programme and
began to make real changes in her life.
Since completing that programme, Marian has rejoined
the workforce and secured Diplomas in Community
Development and Community Education. She has also
completed a ‘Start Your Own Business’ course as well as a
number of other courses along the way. All of these
courses went a long way to boosting her confidence and
she is now studying for a Diploma in Disability Studies.
In 2003 Marian travelled to Dublin and took part in a
Women’s Leadership Programme, which was open to
women with disabilities. The programme was run by the
Dublin Centre for Independent Living in conjunction with
the National Learning Network. In total 12 women from
across the country were accepted onto the course and
Marian says, “The programme helped me develop my
thinking on women’s rights as well as many other important
social issues.”
In 2004, along with two other women who completed
the Leadership Programme, Celine O’Sullivan Tartro (RIP)
and Maggie Woods, Marian founded the Women with
Disabilities in the West (WDW) group. The group’s inaugural
meeting was held in October 2004 and today its
membership stands at 50 women. WDW contributes to
committees in the National Women’s Council of Ireland as
well as tackling issues affecting women in the West.
And if that is not enough, outside of work Marian is also
kept very busy. She married in 1979 and she and her
husband have five children. She describes motherhood as
“absolutely wonderful as all my children have been such a
joy and blessing in my life.” She also adds that none of her
achievements would have been possible without the
support of her family.
In April 2009 another new arrival in the family, a guide
dog named Yaz, was to greatly improve the quality of Marian’s life. She says: “Yaz is simply brilliant. It is incredible the
difference the dog’s arrival has made to my quality of life.”
Despite all the positive developments in her life, Marian
says she still finds it hard to cope with her visual
impairment. “I am me, and my visual impairment is a part of
me, but not all of me. I still have down days because of it. I
miss three things most. Firstly, reading the printed word –
although my computer can read for me, it is not the same. I
also miss the mobility that driving could give me. And
finally, I hate not being able to put on my own make-up.
Simple things for people with sight, but not for someone
with a visual impairment!”
Looking to the future, Marian is now in the process of
developing a new business as a life coach for people with
disabilities. “It is my ambition to remove the syllable ‘dis’
from the word ‘disability’ and help those I work with to
focus on their abilities. People should see the ability and
not the chair, cane or crutches, and see the person for
themselves. I have been itching to teach again and hope to
make this a big success in the years ahead.”
Based in Galway, Valerie Malone is a Franciscan
Missionary of Mary, writer and journalist. In her spare time
Valerie is an avid radio listener and enjoys reading.
During 2010, Marian and her
guide dog, Yaz, will feature in a
billboard campaign being run
by Galway County Council to
highlight the problems caused
by cars parked on footpaths
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access
Do you have any funny (or
not so funny) situations you
would like to see
immortalised in Spokeout’s
cartoon pages? If so, send
your ideas to Kiara Lynch
kiara.lynch@iwa.
PUB LIFE
Fancy a pint? Why is it that relaxing at your local isn’t always,
well, that relaxing...
CARTOONS BY JOHNNY CONNAUGHTON
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access
Quick guide to IWA best practice access guidlines
ACCESSIBLE PARKING BAYS
Robbie Cousins outlines some practical considerations to be taken
on board when making provision for on- and off- street accessible
parking
rivers with limited mobility need to be able to
park, have sufficient space to enter and leave
their vehicle, move to the rear of their vehicle, and
travel in a wheelchair to the main entrance of a
D
building.
What is the recommended ratio of accessible parking
bays to normal parking bays?
Where public parking is provided, IWA recommends one
in 15 spaces should be designated for drivers and
passengers with disabilities. And of these designated
spaces, one in four should accommodate large multi-purpose vehicles. So, for example, where 120 parking spaces
are provided, six should be designated for standard cars
used by disabled drivers/passengers and two should be
designated for larger multi-purpose vehicles. Premises with
high usage by people with disabilities may require a larger
than average number of designated spaces.
Where should accessible parking bays be located?
Parking bays designated for people with limited mobility
should be located as close as possible to the building
entrance, with a maximum travel distance of 50m.
What signage should be used to indicate an accessible
parking bay?
Accessible parking bays should be clearly signposted with
an upright sign sited out of the circulation space. The
signage should have the white international symbol of
accessibility on a blue background. The colouring used for
accessible parking bay surfaces should be white markings
on a slip-resistant blue surface. The adjacent accessibility
zone should be crosshatched in yellow.
What is the recommended size of an accessible bay?
The recommended dimensions of designated accessible
parking bays for cars and small vans are 3600mm width x
6000mm length, including a 1200mm hatched accessibility
zone to the side or in-between and at the end of designated parking bays. Bays should be on firm and level surfaces with maximum crossfall of 1:50. Avoid the use of
inappropriate materials such as gravel, sand, cobbles, etc.
The size of the bay should allow for the safe transfer of
passenger or driver to a wheelchair, including a space
allowance or accessibility zone for the use of a transfer hoist
or ramp that may be attached to some vehicles.
What are the recommendations for ease of movement
between accessible parking bays and buildings?
The design of an accessible parking bay should include
planning for safe transfer (dished kerbs, level approach
routes, adequate lighting, etc.) from the bay to the access
route to the building without undue effort, barriers to wheelchairs or hazards that could cause tripping. There should be
adjacent dished access to a footpath with a slip-resistant
surface and it should be of a minimum width of 1200mm,
minimum gradient 1:15. Where a parking bay is in a parallel
position to the footpath, the footpath should be dished
along the length of the bay. If the dished kerb adjacent to
the parking bay is not in the direct line of pedestrian travel
there is no requirement for tactile paving.
What is the recommended size of parking bays for
larger vans or multipurpose vehicles?
The recommended dimensions of designated parking bays
for larger vans and multipurpose vehicles with an
attached hoist or lift are 4800mm in width x 7200mm in
length, including a 2400mm accessibility zone to the side
and rear of the vehicle for use of hoist or lift. Where ramps
are used on multi-purpose vehicles, even more space is
needed; 5400mm width x 7800mm length, including
3000mm accessibility zone to the side and rear of the
vehicle for the ramp. Multipurpose vehicle bays are not
designed for bus parking.
For a copy of IWA Best Practice Access Guidelines, visit
www.iwa.ie or tel: 01 818 6400.
IWA EXPERT TIP
“The two issues that arise most often
when it comes to accessible parking
are the lack of policing and the locating
of accessible spaces in an unsuitable
environment e.g. beside un-dished
kerbing, steep slopes or drains, making supposedly
accessible spaces in reality inaccessible.”
Joe Sargent, IWA Access Committee
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TRAVELS
DOWN UNDER
View from Sydney ferries
Kiara Lynch has just retuned from the trip of a lifetime,
backpacking around Australia and New Zealand. Her
action-packed itinerary included meeting koala bears and Little
Penguins, visiting a beach-side turtle rookery, snorkelling on the
Great Barrier Reef and whale-watching in Kaikoura. And she even managed
to bring back a ‘rock’ of her own!
et lagged, we arrived in Sydney to bright sunshine,
clear blue skies, and – best of all – warmth! It was a
long flight, but the anticipation of the adventure had
taken over in Signapore airport, and I couldn’t have
rested even if I had taken a horse tranquilizer! We spent a
week in hilly Sydney, getting onto Australian time, and
enjoying Sydney’s sights and activities. I loved the ferry
rides around Sydney harbour, where we had spectacular
views of Sydney Opera house and Sydney Harbour Bridge,
and we also got acquainted with some of the Australian
wildlife in Taronga Zoo and Sydney Aquarium. Before we
knew it, we were picking up our rental car in Sydney and
heading on a ten-day drive to Melbourne.
The drive was full of pretty little coastal towns, and to
break up endless hours of driving on straight highways, we
spent a few hours each day soaking up the sun in them.
We enjoyed the white sandy beaches of gorgeous Jervais
Bay for three days, where we gave scuba diving a try – a
tad unsuccessfully on my part. We put up with the
constant barrage of flies to see the wild breathtaking
Wilsons Promontory National Park, and got to see koala
bears and Little Penguins up close and personal on Philip
Island. By the time we got to Melbourne we were ready for
a few relaxing days, so we spent a sun-kissed afternoon in
J
20
the spectacular Royal Botanic Gardens and went to a soccer
game in the impressive Etihad Stadium.
From Melbourne, we flew to Brisbane. It was cloudy and,
believe it or not, cold, when we landed in Brisbane. We were
glad when we were greeted with sunny blue skies again in
Hervey Bay where we visited Fraser Island. We found a
charter ‘Tasman Venture’ that sailed off the west coast of
Fraser and whose crew were happy to assist me. It was an
amazing day. The sun was dazzling in a cloudless blue sky,
making the sparkling water so clear we could see stingrays
lying on the bottom of the sea. As we cruised past the
golden sandy shores of Fraser Island, we saw dolphins,
turtles and bird life. And, with the assistance of the crew and
my boyfriend Nick, I was able to enjoy the unforgettable
experience of snorkelling and kayaking through mangrove
trees a few metres off Fraser Island.
After another train journey from Hervey Bay to Bundaberg,
we visited Mon Repos Conservation Park which is a turtle
rookery. Thanks to the use of a beach wheelchair, available
from the park, we got to watch a loggerhead turtle come out
of the sea onto the beach, lay her eggs, and go back into
the sea, all under a beautiful bright full moon. We then flew to
Townsville where we enjoyed a beautiful calm ‘Jazza’ sailing
tour of the tropical paradise of Magnetic Island, and had our
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travel
Enjoying views of
Fraser Island
Spectacular views from
Cathedral Cove lookout
first sighting of Santa Claus with sunglasses on a beach!
We spent a week visiting some of the idyllic tropical
Whitsunday islands. One of our days was spent aboard
‘Seaflight,’ a cruise ship that took us 40 kilometres east of
the Whitsundays where I went snorkelling for a second
time, with the assistance of the crew, on the Great Barrier
Reef. I was awestruck! Getting a chance to see the vivid
multi-coloured fish was an incredible experience.
After six fun and sun-filled weeks we left Australia on December 22nd for four weeks in New Zealand. I had expected to be exhausted, tired, and worn out by the end of
the Australian leg of our trip, but, instead I felt energised,
and couldn’t wait for the new challenges New Zealand
would bring! We flew into Auckland, on the North Island,
where we picked up our hire car and drove to Whitianga on
the Coromandel peninsula for Christmas.
On Christmas Day, a warm day with not a cloud in the
sky, we went to the beach to relax. We did a boat trip to
see the beautiful Cathedral Cove coastline from the water,
which was well worth the effort of getting into the boat! The
next week flew by in a haze of ‘wow, what a view!’ conversations as we drove south and visited Huka Falls on Lake
Taupo, Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park in Rotorua, and
Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park.
We only had two weeks of our trip left when we got to
the South Island, the first of which we spent in sundrenched Kaikoura whale-watching, swimming with seals
and doing a fantastic four-wheel-drive mountain safari. Our
final week was spent in Queenstown, lazing in the botanical
gardens, paragliding, cruising on the lake, and, in the perfect ending to a wonderful trip, Nick and I got engaged on
a mountain top in Queenstown.
ACCESSIBLE ACTIVITIES
Always contact the companies directly to explain your
requirements and check that they can accommodate you.
N Whitsundays – Cruise Whitsundays,
www.cruisewhitsundays.com.
N Fraser Island – Tasman Venture,
www.tasmanventure.com.au.
N Magnetic Island – Jazza Sailing Tours,
www.jazza.com.au.
Our engagement mountain
N Jervis Bay – Dive Jervis Bay, www.divejervisbay.com.
N Whitianga – Glass Bottomed Boat,
www.glassbottomboatwhitianga.co.nz.
N Kaikoura – Whale Watching,
www.kaikourawhalewatching.com. Seal Swimming,
www.sealswimkaikoura.co.nz. Mountain Safari, Karl
Townsend +64 3 319 6424 [email protected].
N Queenstown – Over The Top Helicopter Excursions,
www.flynz.co.nz. Tandem Paragliding,
www.tandemparagliding.com.
ACCESSIBLE ACCOMMODATION
Overall, I found the general access in public bathrooms,
hostels and motels very good. However, always ask about
your specific needs. These are the places I tried:
N Sydney – Travelodge Sydney, www.travelodge.com.au.
N Jervais Bay – Huskisson Beach Tourist Resort,
www.holidayhaven.com.au.
N Nowra – Springs Resort, http://springsresorts.com.au.
N Morewell – Park Lane Tourist Park,
www.parklanetouristpark.com.au.
N Philips Island – Quays Motel San Remo,
www.quayssanremo.com.au.
N Brisbane – Brisbane City YHA, www.yha.com.au.
N Hervey Bay – Colonial Village YHA, www.yha.com.au.
N Bundaberg – Kacy’s Bargara Beach Motel,
www.bargaramotel.com.au.
N Whitsundays – Club Crocodile,
www.oceanhotels.com.au/airliebeach.
N Townsville – Hotel Ibis Townsville,
www.ibishotel.com.au.
N Whitianga – Oceans Resort Whitianga,
www.oceansresort.co.nz.
N Tongariro National Park – Howard’s Lodge,
www.howardslodge.co.nz.
N Kaikoura – Alpine View Motel,
www.alpineviewkaikoura.co.nz.
N Queenstown – Nomads Queenstown Backpackers,
http://nomadshostels.com.
For further details, contact: Kiara Lynch at
[email protected]
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Holidaying at home
Planning a spring break? Colette Molloy
reviews some accessible destinations in
counties Clare, Kerry, and Longford
AUBURN LODGE HOTEL
Ennis, Co Clare
Tel: 065 682 1247
www.auburnlodge.com
The 3-Star Auburn Lodge Hotel
situated on the outskirts of Ennis
Town offers excellent comfortable
accommodation and is a perfect
place to relax. Access to the
hotel is level and there are
adjacent car parking facilities.
There are two dining options at
the hotel, The Oyster Restaurant
and Tailor Quigley’s Bar. The hotel
occasionally hosts traditional
music sessions with some of
Clare’s well known musicians.
There are four fully wheelchair
accessible bedrooms located on
the ground floor. All bedrooms
are spacious in layout with room
for a hoist. The en suites are
wet-room in design with roll-in
shower, adequate grab rails, and
shower chair. Ennis is a bustling
town with a great selection of
restaurants and pubs with
plenty of entertainment. It’s an
ideal base for touring the MidWest with Shannon International
Airport 15km away and the
spectacular Cliffs of Moher just a
20-minute drive from the hotel.
SEASHORE FARM
GUESTHOUSE
Kenmare, Co Kerry
Tel: 064 664 1270
www.kenmare.eu/seashore
A warm welcome awaits you at
Seashore Farm Guesthouse.
Located approximately one mile
outside the heritage town of
Kenmare, the house is located
on a working farm with land
extending to the seashore, a
delight for nature lovers and
birdwatchers. There is adequate
parking close to the house
which has a ramped entrance.
This purpose-built house is very
spacious and has extensive
surrounding patio areas,
enjoying panoramic views of
Kenmare Bay. The guest lounge
contains an extensive library of
books and travel information for
guest use. The fully accessible
bedroom, located on the ground
floor, is equipped with every
possible convenience and has
space for a hoist. The en suite
has a roll-in shower, grab rails
and a shower chair. Seashore is
recommended in many
publications including Le Guide
du Routard.
THE WELCOME LODGE
Longford Country House
Ennybegs, Co Longford
Tel: 043 23320
www.longfordcountry
house.com
Longford Country House
self-catering offers two awardwinning 4-Star traditional country
cottages set within private
landscaped gardens in north
Longford. There is ramped or
level access to the cottages and
plenty of parking nearby. Each
cottage has a spacious living
room and fully fitted kitchen with
knee spaces and offers every
modern convenience. Each
house has a double bedroom
and a twin bedroom on the
ground floor, and each room has
room for a hoist. One cottage
has an additional bedroom
upstairs and the other cottage
has two bedrooms upstairs.
Linen is supplied free-of-charge
during your stay. There are many
historic sites in the area to visit
including Strokestown House
and Famine Museum, and a drive
through the north of the county
will take in breathtaking scenery
dotted with lakes and hills.
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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travel
PILGRIMAGE
TO LOURDES
IWA member Daniella Hock
recalls an emotional pilgrimage
to Lourdes with two friends
n May 2007 my friends Alison Quinn, Peggy McBrien
and I – all members of IWA Carrick-on-Shannon – took
part in a five-day pilgrimage to Lourdes with a group
that travelled with the assistance of the Order of Malta
Ambulance Corp Sligo. Our pilgrimage was made possible
by the very kind efforts of the Aughawillan Drama Troupe,
who hosted a production to raise funds on our behalf. The
proceeds of their show went a long way towards assisting
the three of us to travel to Lourdes. In addition, we also
received funding from our own IWA Centre in Carrick-onShannon.
Before setting out on our journey we had a four-hour
delay at Knock Airport, which worked to our advantage as
it gave us a chance to meet and talk with other pilgrims
and carers from Sligo. When we disembarked at
Lourdes-Tarbes Airport in the southwest of France some
hours later, we were brought to the holy grounds, where
we felt instantly at the peace. Our accommodation was in
‘The Accueil’ Notre Dame. This hospital-like building is
designated for people with disabilities and sick people and
is conveniently located close to the Basilica and Grotto.
When we had settled in, we discovered there were
people from all over Ireland staying on the same floor as
us, so the atmosphere in the accommodation was great.
There were approximately 500 pilgrims from all over
Ireland, including carers. The many carers from the Order
of Malta that helped on the pilgrimage ensured that
everyone was always well looked after.
The next day we set out to visit the Rosary Basilica and
the Grotto of Massabielle. For Alison and me, it was our
I
The Basilica
and Grotto at Lourdes
Alison Quinn, Juliette Gallagher (Carer), Daniela Hock and Peggy McBrien
shortly before the blessing of the Sligo group candle
first pilgrimage and we were quite taken aback by the
atmosphere at Lourdes Shrine. People were either praying
aloud or contemplating in silence. It was quite a sight to
behold. We took part in the International Mass at the
Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette.
On the third day, we travelled to Bartrès, a small village
near Lourdes, where St Bernadette was fostered as a
young child and where, as a 13-year old, she tended the
sheep of her foster-family and worked on their farm. We
also attended mass in the village church where the young
Bernadette would pray in solitude.
Next up we visited and were immersed in the Lourdes
Holy Baths. This was followed by an awe-inspiring
candlelight procession, in which we paraded down the
Boulevard de la Grotte praying the rosary and singing Ave
Maria – the beautiful hymn of Lourdes – as we arrived at
Rosary Square. During this procession we forgot all about
problems. It was very moving to see all the candles lit at
nightfall.
Another magnificent experience was the mass in the
Underground Basilica, the second largest church in the
world. On the same day we had the ‘Blessing of the
Candle’ ceremony for the Sligo group. The candle was
carried from the Boulevard to the Grotto, where it was
blessed and lit during prayers and decades of the Rosary.
Our pilgrimage concluded with a healing mass, which
again was very emotional, as each pilgrim received the
‘Sacrament of the Sick.’
At the end of our pilgrimage it was very hard to say
goodbye to all our new friends. But we formed a great
bond with many of them, which I still feel to this day. I
found Lourdes to be a very special place and I think
anyone who makes the pilgrimage will have their own
special memories. Sadly, since the pilgrimage, Peggy
passed away. She remains in Alison’s and my thoughts
and we treasure the time we had with her in Lourdes.
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opinion
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
When human rights activist Zaynab Salman moved to Ireland in
2006, after fleeing Iraq’s oppressive political regime, she
discovered that living with a disability in Ireland was entirely
different to living with a disability in Iraq
centres or specialised medical centres. Iraqi families have
hen I was a child, and I saw my mother
no experience of disability until they have a child with a
struggling to raise nine children, I thought
being a woman was the most difficult thing in disability, and even if they want to learn more, the facilities
simply aren’t there. The oppressive political regimes that
the world, but as I grew up, I discovered that
have ruled Iraqi society for the past seven decades have
in Iraq being a woman with a disability is even worse.
made no attempt to change this.
My idea of what it meant to be a disabled person
Ten percent of the world’s population is disabled and
changed when I fled my country. After just one year living in
eighty percent of these people live in developing
Ireland, I began to see how comparatively easy it was to
cope with disability. Access to good care and fair treatment countries according to the UN Development Program
(UNDP), mostly in areas with poor medical standards,
in Ireland made me reflect on the harsh, unsupportive
violence, poverty and war. It is an unfortunate irony that the
environment I had grown up in, and I began to appreciate
countries with the highest level of disability tend to have
the difference between being a disabled person in Ireland
the poorest services. For example, many Irish people
and Iraq.
would be shocked to know that Iraq only eradicated polio
We are all born equal – that is what we are taught in
in 2004, and that as a result many children and teenagers
school – but in reality this is not the case in Iraq. If you are
have disabilities resulting from that condition.
born disabled you have to fight on many fronts to prove
In Iraq, we have no legislation, education, healthcare,
that you are capable of doing things. Often, you have to
appreciation of difference or awareness relating to
prove to your own family that you are independent and do
disability. Ireland has done a massive amount of work to
not need twenty-four hour protection. In society, you often
address these essential issues. However, I must say the
have to fight to prove that you do not have an infectious
one negative thing I have noticed about Ireland is that, dedisease and that you deserve to be treated fairly. Finally,
spite the wide availability of services, it can be hard to get
within yourself, you have to fight and win the biggest battle
information and access these services,
by believing that you deserve to live and
that the difficulties you are facing will
“Often, you have to especially as an outsider.
As I write this article and reflect on the
make you a better person.
prove to your own differences between my home country
It is human nature to fight against
everything different until we get to know
family that you are and my adopted country, it makes me
feel very sad to think of the people with
it, and that’s clearly one of the reasons
independent and disabilities who continue to live in such
why people with disabilities in Iraq have
an unequal society. Iraq is a very wealthy
been marginalised. Iraqi society is based
do not need
country and my dream is to see Iraq use
around the family unit. People depend
twenty-four hour
this wealth to promote greater equality
upon their families for all forms of support
for its people.
and have limited access to rehabilitation
protection”
W
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Notice of 8th Annual General
Meeting of I.W.A. Limited and
Annual Conference 2010
Saturday 22nd May, 2010 at 10.00am in
The Convention Centre, Lyrath Estate
Hotel, Dublin Road, Kilkenny
Dear Member
The 8th Annual General Meeting of I.W.A. Limited and the Annual Conference will
be held in the Convention Centre, Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny on Saturday 22nd
and Sunday 23rd May 2010. This year IWA celebrates 50 years of representing the
views of, and bringing services to, people with a disability.
We have a great programme of events lined up, continuing into Sunday when we
will have a Celebration Birthday Event with all the fun of the fair, in addition to our
National Junior Athletics Championship.
The AGM and Conference is the forum for members to express their views. I hope
you can join us, if not for all, then for some of the events over the weekend.
Yours sincerely
Jimmy Byrne
Jimmy Byrne, Company Secretary
Company Secretary, Irish Wheelchair Association
THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ATTENDING THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND AGM
AGENDA
SATURDAY 22nd May, 2010
SUNDAY 23rd May, 2010
9.00am
10.00am Golden Jubilee Mass
IWA Centre, Kilkenny
Registration for AGM and Annual
Conference
Tea/coffee available before AGM
10.00am ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Followed by Motions and Open Forum
1.00pm Light lunch – tea/coffee, sandwiches
2.00pm Official Opening of Conference 2010
IWA Celebrating 50 years – Milestones,
Highlights and Achievements
4.00pm Tea/coffee break
4.30pm Open Forum
5.30pm Conference adjourns for evening
8.00pm Gala Dinner
CELEBRATION BIRTHDAY
EVENT - Scanlon Park
10.30am National Junior Athletics
Championship
1.00pm
All the Fun of the Fair,
1960’s Theme including
Barbeque, Music, Games,
Competitions, Food Fair
and lots more.
IWA members are invited to submit :
Motions for the Conference. Please use the Call for Motions (next page) and return to the Company
Secretary by 5pm on Friday 23rd April, 2010.
Please send in nominations for the Board using the Nomination Form (next page) and return to the
Company Secretary, I.W.A. Limited, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3 by 5 p.m. on Friday 7th May,
2010. The election will take place at the AGM on Saturday 22nd May, 2010.
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Nominations for Election to the
Board of Directors of I.W.A. Limited
As per the Articles of Association of I.W.A. Limited (Art. 47),
one third of the Board of Directors shall retire from office
each year.
Election to be held at the Annual General
Meeting at 10.00am on Saturday 22nd
May, 2010 in The Convention Centre,
Lyrath Estate Hotel, Dublin Road, Kilkenny
Nominations for election to the Board must be received by
the Company Secretary, I.W.A. Limited, Blackheath Drive,
Clontarf, Dublin 3, not less than 14 days before the Annual General Meeting, which will take place on 22nd May,
2010 at 10.00am in the Convention Centre, Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny.
Please note: Nominees for election must be registered members of I.W.A. Limited and must be proposed by a
registered member and seconded by one other registered member. If elected, the nominee will be required to
give notice in writing of his/her willingness to serve on the Board of I.W.A. Limited.
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF NOMINATIONS IS
5PM ON FRIDAY 7TH MAY, 2010
Nominee
Name: ........................................................................................................................................................
Address:.....................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
Proposer
Name: ........................................................................................................................................................
Address:.....................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
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Seconder
Name: ........................................................................................................................................................
Address:.....................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
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Date
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IWA Annual Conference 2010
CALL FOR MOTION(S)
Members are invited to submit motion/s for debate at the Annual Conference. Please note the following:
A motion may be submitted on the form below and further motions may be continued on
separate pages.
Each motion must carry the name and address of ONE proposer and the names and addresses of
THREE seconders who must all be registered members of I.W.A Limited.
When completed, motion forms should be sent back to the Company Secretary, I.W.A. Limited,
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3 by 5pm on Friday 23rd April 2010.
The Board may prioritise, integrate or re-structure motions of a similar nature before presenting
them to the Conference.
Members must be present to speak to their motions.
Motions will be posted on the IWA website www.iwa.ie on Tuesday 18th May 2010.
When complete, please detach this page and return to Company Secretary, I.WA. Limited,
Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3 by 5pm on Friday 23rd April 2010.
We, the undersigned, submit the following Motion/s for
inclusion on the agenda of the IWA Annual Conference.
Proposer
Name: ....................................................................................................................................................
Address:.................................................................................................................................................
Seconders
Name: ....................................
Name: ....................................
Name: ....................................
Address: ................................
Address: ................................
Address: ................................
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MOTIONS
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IWA Annual Conference & AGM
of I.W.A. Limited 2010
Hotel Accommodation in Kilkenny
When booking hotel accommodation in Kilkenny, please remember:
You must book rooms directly with the hotel of your choice quoting hotel booking reference
number below.
Please note there is a limited number of accessible rooms available in each hotel.
To guarantee availability, rooms must be booked by 23rd April, 2010.
You must settle the hotel cost directly with the hotel.
Six high dependency rooms are available in the Respite Centre at IWA Kilkenny. These rooms will be
allocated on a first-come basis. Contact Liam Saunders, Tel. 056 776 2775. Hoists and shower chairs
are also available on request from Liam.
There will be a complimentary shuttle bus service between local hotels and the Convention Centre.
Hotels
Tel
Quote Booking Ref No.
Lyrath Estate Hotel, Dublin Road, Kilkenny
056 776 0088
IWA Conference
Hotel Kilkenny, College Road, Kilkenny
056 776 2000
IWA G132366
Days Hotel, Smithisland South, Springhill, Kilkenny
056 778 3100
IWA 50677
The Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny
056 778 3500
IWA 042057
Springhill Court Hotel, Waterford Road, Kilkenny
056 772 1122
IWA 71557
Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny
056 776 0500
IWA 404658
B&Bs and self-catering accommodation
www.kilkennycityonline.com
If you need advice on your hotel booking and reservation of Gala Dinner tickets, please contact Mary at IWA - Tel 01 818 6470
Saturday 22nd May at 8pm in the
Convention Centre, Lyrath Estate Hotel
Gala Dinner Booking Form
Please reserve
(no of tickets)
@ €50.00 each
€
Please attach payment: TOTAL:
PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES & MONEY
ORDERS PAYABLE TO IRISH WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION
Name:
Tel (H):
Tel (M):
Address:
TO/FROM CASTLECOMER
St
St Canice’s
Cathedral
Wolf
e
St
ent
liam
Par
t
ey S
Abb
Rothe House
Tone
McDonagh Station
Bus & Rail
Stre
et
Dub
TO/FROM CARLOW
& DUBLIN
t
Kilkenny River
Court Hotel
h St
t
y St
ick
Patr
Kilkenny Castle
Castl
d
oa
gR
Rin
e Ro
ad
St
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76 OR
/N OM C
N8O/FR
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N77/N79
oad
ael S
ran
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Market Cross
Shopping Centre
r
Fria
LYRATH ESTATE
lin R
Mich
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Hig
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Directions from Dublin Airport: Follow the signs for
the M50 motorway heading southbound. From the
M50 take the M7, driving in the direction of
Waterford/Limerick. Take the N9 in the direction of
Carlow, Kilkenny, and Waterford. At Paulstown take
the N10, which takes you straight to Kilkenny. Lyrath
Estate Hotel is situated approximately 16km from
Paulstown, on your right-hand side just before
getting to Kilkenny City. You will see a big green
Lyrath sign a couple of hundred metres before the
entrance. Approximate driving time from Dublin
airport is 1 hour 20 min.
N77/N78
r
VIca
Directions to the Convention Centre
at Lyrath Estate Hotel, Dublin Road,
Kilkenny:
N9/N10
TO/FROM WATERFORD
R700
Kilkenny
City
TO/FROM WEXFORD
& ROSSLARE
Directions from Cork Airport: Take the R616 or N8 towards Fermoy, follow the N8 to Mitchelstown. From Mitchelstown take the N8 to
Cahir, then the N24 from Cahir to Clonmel. In Clonmel follow the N76 to Callan and onwards to Kilkenny. The Lyrath Hotel is situated on
the Dublin Road just under 2km north of Kilkenny City. Approximate driving time from Cork Airport is 2 hours.
24/02/2010
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NEW YEAR,
NEW CAR?
While those of you who receive VRT and VAT relief may not
benefit directly from the Government’s Scrappage
Scheme, Niall McDonnell believes there are still great
deals to be struck on car dealers’ forecourts
Volkswagen Passat
he recession has impacted on us all in one way or
another in the past 12 to 24 months, and the
motor industry is one sector of the economy
where its effects have been particularly noticeable.
Just ask yourself, how many ‘10’ registration plates have
you seen on the road since the start of the year? Gone is
the day when the sun hadn’t set on the first day of the year
and there would be new cars covering the roads. Now, it is
a very different story. With unemployment hitting new highs
and those still with jobs having to take pay cuts, there
seems to be little cash for luxuries such as a new car. The
situation became so desperate that by the end of last year
the Government, under constant pressure to make cuts in
all areas, was compelled to act to give the Irish motor
industry some hope.
T
34
While governments in a number of other countries
sought ways to kick start activity in their lagging car
industries, the Irish Government – maybe because we
don’t actually have a car manufacturing industry – was
slow to follow suit and only announced its stimulus
scheme at the end of 2009.
The resulting new Scrappage Scheme covers used cars
that are older than 10 years and have been owned for at
least 18 months by the seller. In addition, cars being
purchased under the scheme must fall into categories A or
B under CO2 emissions, which means the emissions must
be 140g/km or less. This excludes many automatic
gearbox cars from the scheme because of their higher
emission levels.
The scheme is worth a maximum of €1,500 from the
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motoring
Government in VRT rebates, but many of the car
I’m not saying that you should take the first deal they
manufacturers are willing to match this, and in some cases throw at you. You should always be prepared to haggle.
offer more.
Remember, the price is always negotiable whether the car
So, is there anything in it for those of us who are on the
is new or old. You might even try asking to see if they will
current VAT and VRT relief scheme for motorists with disthrow in an extra service or even an ‘old reliable’ like a set
abilities? Unfortunately not directly, as any VRT rebate we
of floor mats.
would have been due under the Scrappage Scheme is alAnother old reliable for our members is the Fleet
ready being received as part of our
Discount Scheme. With the excepVRT rebate under the relief scheme.
“Anybody who receives tion of Mercedes and BMW, this apHowever, on the positive side, from
plies to most makes of car. So, the
Spokeout
magazine
talking to car dealers, it is clear that
majority of manufacturers are willing
should be on the IWA to give a discount. It normally floats
some dealers are willing to not only
give the Government rebate, but also
membership database between 1-2 percent, which can
go further and offer more
give you a further €1,000 or more in
and if they contact the discount. Anybody who receives
reductions. This is borne out by the
fact that some dealers have been
Information Department Spokeout magazine should be on
matching the Government deal by
the IWA membership database and,
in IWA’s head office they if they contact the Information
offering a further €1,500 discount on
new cars. So, there is an indirect
Department in IWA’s head office,
will forward out the
benefit to be gained from the
staff will forward out the required
required letter to secure letter to secure the discount.
Scrappage Scheme.
You will still have to fight to secure
It is also important to be prepared
the discount”
the best price, but now at least reto do a bit of homework, shop
ductions scream at you from the windows even before you
around and get several prices for the same car in different
get through the dealer’s doors. It seems that salespeople
garages. And don’t focus only on the price of the new
have been given much more leeway to make that deal. So, car, see how much each garage is willing to give you for
even if you are not able to avail of the Government Scrapyour own car. It won’t be long before you see a
page Scheme, the garages still have a lot to offer currently
pattern. Also, as you go from one garage to the next you
with deals on new cars.
will become more confident and this can have a positive
Amounts that the manufacturers are willing to knock off
effect too.
vary but examples would be, Peugeot €1,500,
If you are looking at the second-hand market, find out
Volkswagen €700-€1400 and Renault weighing in with
how much the car was new, and check to see how much
reductions up to €3,000, even outside of the Government
it has devalued in price. Check the trim levels on the car;
scheme. It is also worth noting that Renault will accept cars more extras will make a car more
that are eight years and older on the scheme.
expensive but you will find that the extras will lose value
disproportionately in relation to the base model of any car.
ie, where the car might have lost 30 percent of its value
but the extras on it might have lost up to
60 percent.
With regard to the second-hand market for
passenger vehicles, many of the adaptors have a
selection of second-hand vehicles available at
prices that reflect the current climate.
As these vehicles are used to
transport people with
disabilities, they are
normally in very good
condition and often have
very low mileage.
So, if you are thinking
of changing your vehicle
and you think it seems
like a bad time to
change, think again,
maybe there’s never been
a better time!
Volkswagen Golf
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living
Employment incentives
AND OPPORTUNITIES
In the final of his four articles on entitlements for people with
disabilities, David Egan takes a detailed look at some
employment incentives available to people with disabilities and
employers
s we enter a period of economic decline it may
seem optimistic, even obstinate, to be writing
about employment incentives. However, there are
still some opportunities out there, particularly for
those who wish to supplement their incomes while
retaining their benefits.
At the very height of the Celtic Tiger, only 32 percent of
people with disabilities were in employment in Ireland.
According to the National Economic and Social Council’s
(NESC) ‘Well-Being Matters: A Social Report for Ireland’,
there are 90,500 people in receipt of Disability Allowance
(DA) while 53,900 receive Invalidity Pension (IP).
If you are getting a disability payment such as DA or IP,
you may be allowed to do work that is considered
‘rehabilitative or therapeutic’ and retain your benefits,
provided you first get written approval from the Department
of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA).
Such ‘therapeutic’ work may include participation on a
FÁS training course or Community Employment (CE)
scheme. There are two types of Community Employment
(Part-time Integration Option and Part-time Job Option),
each with its own regulations and eligibility requirements.
People over the age of 18 who are in receipt of DA or IP
qualify to participate in both schemes.
Essentially, if you are in receipt of IP, you get the standard
FÁS Training Allowance (€197.80 per week) and you
continue to get your pension. If you are in receipt of DA,
your allowance is suspended and you are paid a FÁS
Training Allowance at the same rate as your DA. In
addition, you are also paid a training bonus of €31.80 per
week and you retain any extra benefits to which you are
entitled. The FÁS objective is that, in all cases, participants
who are in receipt of secondary benefits from the DSFA or
the Department of Health and Children will continue to receive their benefits while participating in FÁS training or
FÁS Community Employment schemes.
FÁS also provides a wide range of supports for people
with disabilities in employment and employers of people
with disabilities. The FÁS Wage Subsidy Scheme gives
financial assistance to employers to encourage them to
A
employ people with disabilities with productivity levels of
below 80 percent of standard performance.
FÁS pay a standard fee for a three-hour period for an
interpreter to accompany a person with a speech or
hearing impairment to a job interview.
The FÁS Workplace/Equipment Adaptation Grant
(WEAG) provides funding up to a maximum of €6,384.70
for a person with a disability who is starting, or already in
employment, in order to make the workplace, including
equipment, easier to use.
The Employee Retention Grant Scheme was set up to
assist employers to retain at work people who develop a
disability through sickness or injury while in employment.
Employees who acquire an illness or disability can be
offered retraining to continue working at their existing
duties using modified techniques or have the option of
undertaking alternative duties.
To get full details on any FÁS Grants or Community
Employment, you should contact your local FÁS Office or
see their website www.fas.ie
If you are thinking of setting up as self-employed in a
business that has been approved by a job facilitator or
Partnership Company and you are in receipt of DA or IP,
you can qualify for the Back to Work Enterprise Scheme.
spokeout
37
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living
Under this scheme, you can keep 100 percent of your
benefits during your first year in business and 75 percent
during the second year. The Back to Work Allowance
Scheme was suspended in 2009.
People with disabilities who are in receipt of DA or IP,
who take up employment having been unemployed for
over a year, are entitled to a special tax allowance. The
allowance in the first year of employment is €3,810, and
more if you have children. The job you are taking up must
be for a minimum of 30 hours a week and be capable of
lasting at least 12 months. Apply to your local tax office.
Information Leaflet (IT 58) is available online at
www.revenue.ie
Value Added Tax (VAT) may also be claimed back for
certain aids and appliances used by a person with a
disability to assist them at work.
If you are person who is employed at a low rate of
payment, you should be aware that you may be entitled to
claim Family Income Supplement (FIS). To qualify for FIS,
your weekly family income must be below a certain level.
You must be working at least 19 hours per week and your
job must be expected to last at least three months. You
cannot get FIS if you are taking part in any FÁS scheme.
For further information you should contact your local
CASE STUDY
Citizens Information Centre or request an
application form (FIS 1) from Social Welfare Services at
LoCall 1890 92 7770 or see
www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/fis1
Finally, under the Disability Act 2005, all public bodies are
obliged to ensure that at least three percent of their
workforce is comprised of people with disabilities. The
National Disability Authority (NDA) has a statutory
monitoring role to ensure compliance with the three percent
quota. In their latest report, the NDA state that while for the
first time, in 2007, all 15 Government Departments reached
or exceeded their obligation, forty-five percent of
Government organisations have still not reached their
target. These organisations may present opportunities for
people with disabilities seeking employment.
A full list of these public bodies is contained in
Appendix A of the NDA 2008 Report: Compliance with Part
5 of the Disability Act (www.nda.ie).
This feature is supported by:
David Walsh
I NOW FEEL BETTER EQUIPPED TO
PURSUE A CAREER IN SPORTS
ADMINISTRATION, SAYS DAVID WALSH
David Walsh has just completed an IWA rehabilitative
training programme and sees full-time employment as
very much part of his future. He says: “My ambition is to
work full-time. As part of the IWA rehabilitative training
programme, we looked at a range of employment
incentives that are available to people with a disability. I
had no idea what was out there. On first viewing it can
look complicated. So, I suggest you get support in trying
to identify the supports that best suit your own particular
situation.”
Having completed his training programme, David feels
he now has the capacity to attend a job interview,
confident that he can advise a potential employer about
the supports that are available to both him and the
employer.
David, who is currently undertaking work experience
with IWA, wants to take up employment in sports
administration. “I had some experience working in a
summer camp for adults last year, organising various
38
events and activities. I thought I would hate it, but I really
loved it.”
“Unfortunately I think employers aren’t aware of the
incentives that are available. It is usually left to the person
with a disability to tell them, and in the majority of cases
to actually make the application for funding themselves.”
David is keen to stress the importance of Personal
Assistance at work. “I have 50 hours of Personal
Assistance per week. If I didn’t have a PA, I would be
unable to fulfill my ambition of working full-time.”
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THE GOOD LIFE
Gary Allen outlines some of the highs and lows of taking
the self-sufficient route and attempting to grow his own
vegetables
Even the polytunnel couldn’t save Gary’s spinach and cabbage from the wrath of a freezing winter
wouldn’t put myself down as someone who is easily
shocked, but I will always remember the day I heard
some school children being interviewed on the radio
about where food comes from. More than one child,
when asked “Where does milk come from?” answered “a
carton”! I had heard such things from kids who were
brought up in inner city London and had never been
outside an urban environment, and this is understandable
to a degree. But I never thought I’d hear it from children
brought up in Ireland.
That was a few years ago in the middle of the “good
times” when we didn’t give a second thought to where our
food came from. We just popped into the local
supermarket and got what we wanted, whenever we
wanted. But things have changed now and we are all
giving thought to pretty much every expense we have. So,
I think it’s no surprise then that there has been an explosion
in the popularity of bypassing the supermarket and
growing your own food.
I
40
I’m no exception to this trend, having just completed my
first year of trying to grow some of my own vegetables.
And I’ve even started making my own bread. I should
clarify here for my own safety that this has not been a solo
project and, being truthful I have to admit the green-fingered one in our house is my wife. But it hasn’t all been a
roaring success to date either, as you will see.
Early last year, I received a present of a mini polytunnel.
Its size was a distinct advantage because I was advised
that when growing vegetables for the first time, it’s best to
start small.
So, with that advice at hand, I immediately proceeded to
ignore it. I bought a selection of vegetable seeds on the
internet and started planting them up indoors in tiny pots in
quantities that would have made a commercial grower
proud.
Now, there has been much talk of “green shoots”
recently, but I can say without doubt, when I saw my first
literal green shoots a few weeks later, the feeling was such
24/02/2010
16:47
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living
that I would compare it to potential new
parents seeing that first black and white blob
of life in a ultrasound scan. Within weeks, our
collection of pots filled with green shoots had
grown considerably.
But before I continue I would like to revert
back to the aforementioned polytunnel. It’s 6ft
long by x 3ft wide, with plastic arches that slot
into holes in the timber walls of the tunnel. It’s
roughly 9 inches deep and has a polythene cover that
slides across an arch. From an accessibility perspective, it
isn’t the most accommodating, as I have a bit of bending
to do. But I suggest this could be improved by building up
Gary embarks on a bread-making scheme
the sidewalls a few more inches.
Once assembled and filled with soil, it was time for the
passed without at least a couple of new little courgettes
first planting. I wouldn’t say the planting was indiscriminate
appearing.
but the little 18-sq-ft area of soil was groaning with a
We learned that there are a million things to do with a
variety of different shoots from carrots to borlotti beans and
courgette, a vegetable I had previously thought to be bland
cucumbers to courgettes. I’ll return to the courgettes in a
and boring. However, by the end of September we would
while.
Now, I said at the outset, this was a joint venture and my not have cared if courgettes had become suddenly extinct.
wife’s important initial advice was to warn me, “It’s too early Once the courgettes were finished, the soil was exhausted of
nutrients, so we replenished our little
to plant things outside”. She
patch in preparation for a winter
comes from a long line of
“No
one
reading
this
needs
crop of spinach and cabbage. No
professional gardeners so
one reading this needs to be told
gardening ‘is in the blood’ so to
to be told about the winter
about the winter we’ve just had and
speak. It will come as no
we’ve just had and my
my spinach and cabbage haven’t
surprise then that ignoring her
escaped its wrath. The sad results
spinach and cabbage
advice, which of course I did
can be seen in one of the images
without hesitation, had consehaven’t escaped its wrath”
accompanying this piece. Needless
quences, major consequences!
to say, this crop is a goner.
The last frosts of the year
Our
self-sufficiency
drive
hasn’t all been outdoors.
were not yet past and their arrival pretty much did it for a
Recently, I started baking my own bread. I have a bread
good portion of my crop. Only a few hardy fighters
survived, and they began to thrive once the weather turned machine into which I load my ingredients, press a few buttons and a couple of hours later I have bread. Some might
warmer. A few early summer peas, planted after the last of
say using a machine is cheating, to which I reply: It’s a start!
the frost, were the first to appear and that, coupled with
One thing that really surprised me when I began making my
some tomatoes, was pretty much it until the courgettes
began to arrive – and boy, did they arrive in force! From the own bread was how quickly it turns from being soft and
pillow-like to being a rock-hard lump, due of course to there
end of May until the end of September, hardly a day
being no preservatives in it. Thus, I’ve found that homemade
bread should only be baked when you know you’ll use a
whole loaf.
USEFUL INFORMATION
So, there you go. I would call it more a story of hope than
results, the hope being that I’ve made all the rookie mistakes
Book
and won’t again. The satisfaction gained from growing and
Veg Patch: River Cottage Handbook No.4, £8.49
baking your own can’t be underestimated in my opinion. I’d
ISBN-10:0747595348 ISBN-13: 978-0747595342
encourage anybody to give it a go and you don’t need much
available from www.amazon.co.uk
space. Growing vegetables in pots has become very popular
Container Growing
and there are even ranges of seeds specifically designed for
http://www.allotment.org.uk/container-growing/
this purpose.
garden-vegetables-containers.php
And, finally, on to year two of my Good Life experiment.
Advice
This year’s plans are bigger and bolder with the possible
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/
introduction of a few hens into the mix.
Seeds & Equipment
So, as somebody once said, ‘A lot done, more to do!’
http://www.mrmiddleton.com/
Now, I wonder does he have a vegetable plot?
spokeout
41
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Gardens of the
Recent floods have opened our eyes to the importance of proper
drainage. But it’s not just big developers that are to blame;
homeowners should stop paving driveways with impermeable
surfaces and consider creating ‘rain gardens’ says Helen Rock
ince the catastrophic floods of last November, the
whole country must know that building on the
flood plains of our rivers, or indeed any piece of
land with a local Irish name containing any revealing reference to water or wetlands, should never be allowed happen again. (Unless that is, we start to build on
stilts like the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin.)
Hopefully too, our leaders will realise that we must, as a
matter of urgency, plant many millions more trees than are
currently planned, and that they’ll embrace, as a matter of
policy like the authorities in Portland, Oregon, the concept
of ‘rain gardens’ (aka ‘wet gardens’). Simply put, rain gardens are planted depressions that allow rainwater from impervious surfaces – roofs, driveways, paths and
compacted earth – to soak away into the ground.
But while we are waiting for Government to act, we can
make our own rain gardens at home, school and work,
whether designing them from scratch or by simply making
some adjustments to existing drainage systems. If designing from scratch, then we should use permeable paving
(soon to be mandatory by law) when making new car parking spaces, driveways and garden paths. Permeable
paving includes specially constructed brick pavers, matrix
pavers, grass reinforcements or pebbles, all of which allow
the rain to soak through.
But on its own, that’s insufficient to stop localised flooding, or make beautiful and nurturing spaces for people and
other wildlife. While paving over one garden might seem of
little consequence, it is when neighbours on both sides of a
street start to do the same that the resulting loss of vegetation becomes more serious, and has a negative impact on
local temperatures and biodiversity.
S
42
Garden design emphasis should not be on huge expanses of inert materials, but on health-giving plants.
Thankfully, we have a growing band of clued-in landscape
and garden designers who know this, and plant accordingly. Walls and fences are there to be utilised for climbers.
Hedges, shrubs, trees and hardy perennials are all great for
soaking up rain. In unplantable places, really big pots and
tubs can be planted-up for year-round interest.
Rain gardens allow excess water to soak into the
ground, as against flowing into storm drains or surface waters, which causes erosion, water pollution and the
dreaded flooding. Rain gardens can be any size, depending on the site. Sometimes they might just be a matter of
making a small adjustment, for example to downpipes or
existing paved areas, to enable them to drain into some
kind of planted depression in the ground.
These are the gardens of the future, and they work
best when planted with native (and some naturalised)
specimens. These won’t need added fertiliser, will be tolerant
of local conditions, whether extremely wet or dry, and will be
most attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and, of course,
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living
WHAT’S ON
Saturday, March 6, 10am-4pm, admission
£65, including lunch: Grow Your Own –
A Modern Approach to Fruit & Veg.
National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.
Seminar, organised by the RHSI, with
speakers Helen Dillon, Klaus Laitenberger and Peter Meleady, who runs
the wonderful new organic fruit and
veg garden at the Bots. Bookings
through Caroline at [email protected],
www.rhsi.ie or phone 01 235 3912.
Sunday 7 – Sat 13 March: National
Tree Week. Countrywide. This year’s
theme is Twenty Ten – Plant Again. The aim
of tree week is to raise awareness about trees and the
need to plant more of them. All over the country events
will take place, including forest walks, tree planting ceremonies, workshops, talks, competitions and tree
“plantathons”. www.treecouncil.ie
Sunday, May 9, Castletown House & Parklands, Co.
Kildare. Tenth Annual Rare & Special Plant Fair. For
more info visit www.rareandspecialplantfair.com
Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 May: The Chelsea Flower
Show, London. The world’s most famous garden show
is a feast for the senses as well as the ultimate trend
setter in exterior design. If you haven’t been there you
should make the effort to go, at least once. More from
www.rhs.org.uk
Thursday 3 – Monday 7 June: Bloom, Phoenix Park,
Dublin. Ireland’s biggest and most successful garden
show ever is now in its fourth year. For more info go to
www.bloominthepark.com
people. The plants used would be selected from those that like
living by the water’s edge, or in damp or wet ground: some iris
types, rushes, sedges, ferns, shrubs, beautiful wild flowers,
hardy herbaceous perennials and small trees can all be utilised.
What these good plants will do for us is take up any excess
water on its way into the rain garden or depression. And
because the water will be filtered through layers of soil before
entering the groundwater system, it should cut pollution in
rivers, streams and lakes by 30 percent. Rain gardens are a
perfect example of effective Low Impact Development in the
United States, and there is no doubt but they’re the way forward for this often sodden little island of ours.
IN THE GARDEN
Growing your own food is the new rock ‘n’ roll and
now is the time to start. You start with shallots, those
delicious members of the onion family that are a staple
of French cooking and which, until recently, were only
available here at a premium price. No special
preparation is needed if the ground (or the growing
medium in pots and other containers) is in a fertile and
friable condition. If ground is wet and sticky, you’ll have
to wait until it dries out a bit in the winds of March.
Shallot bulbs are sold by weight or in packs and are
very good value. First loosen up the soil with a trowel.
Then gently push each little bulb in, 6 to 9 inches apart,
leaving the top third exposed. A sunny spot is best.
Onion “sets” get the same treatment, except that you
push the bulbs ever so slightly beneath the surface.
March usually lives up to its reputation of blow in “like
a lion and out like a lamb”. The highlight of this sere
month is when we pass the Ides of March, also known
as the vernal or spring equinox. Then the sun rises
higher and shines on the Northern hemisphere, and the
hours of each day are evenly divided between light and
dark. Then, according to tradition, the ground becomes
warm enough to sit on, a sure signal that the optimum
time has come to sow the seeds of plenty, of seed
potatoes (always planted here on St Patrick’s Day) and
those other half-hardy annuals that will give vegetables,
herbs, flowers and fruits in the months ahead. A busy
time for gardeners.
April brings back the extra hour of evening light,
so unceremoniously snatched away from us every
autumn. It’s a wonderful time for gardeners, who can
now stay out till all hours as the light advances,
notebook in hand, taking stock of what is good
– tulips, wallflowers, forget-me-nots, magnolias
– and what is lacking.
The sweet month of May is when tulips have shed
their last petals, the early peonies are in full beautiful
flower and warm days can be followed by very cold
nights. Resist putting out trays of bedding or tomato
plants, which can be very sensitive to cold. By all
means put them out by day to harden them off (unless
exceptionally cold) but make sure to bring them in at
night, until all danger of real cold has disappeared.
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MUNSTER AMBITION
Paul Ryan, IWA’s new Munster Sports Development Officer, talks
sport with Robbie Cousins and outlines his plans to promote
Munster as a centre of accessible sporting excellence
aul Ryan, IWA’s new Sports Development Officer
in Munster, grew up in Ballygarvan, just south of
Cork City.” He says: “In a rural areas such as
Ballygarvan, if you didn’t play sport, then there
was very little else for you to do. My father reared and
raced horses, my sister played inter-county camogie and
my brother boxed at All-Ireland level. I played hurling and
also boxed a little.”
By the time he was 17, Paul looked to be on route to a
sporting career that any young Irish sports fan might aspire
to. “I was on the Cork Trials Programme for the county
hurling team, about to captain our local hurling team in our
divisional finals and I was also playing a bit of schools
basketball, soccer and rugby, as well as achieving some
modest success at boxing.”
But in 1987, at 17 years of age, Paul was forced to
re-evaluate his sporting ambitions, when as the result of a
motorcycle accident he had his right leg amputated above
the knee.
In the years that followed, the competitive spirit that
drove Paul as a teenager was to drive him to compete at
the Beijing Olympics in 2008, and afterwards to help
establish a sailing club for young people with disabilities; an
achievement he rates as his greatest to date. He also owns
a small construction firm that continues to trade
successfully despite the current problems in the building
market. And in his role as IWA Munster Sports
Development Officer he plans to harness all of the skills he
has picked up to date and develop a two-tier system to
support athletes that wish to compete at the highest
sporting level as well as those who simply want to access
the best sporting facilities in their local area. Not an easy
task! But Paul believes that his combined experiences as
an athlete with a disability and a small business manager
will be his greatest assets in attempting to improve sporting
opportunities and facilities for those with disabilities in
Munster.
Paul got a taste of the accessibility challenges that lay
ahead after recuperating from his accident at the National
Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dun Laoghaire: “I tried
several sports at NRH. I was particularly fond of basketball.
But when I returned home to Cork, I discovered that if I
wanted to play at a competitive level I had to travel to
Dublin, as the interest or facilities were just not there in
Munster in the early ’90s. Thankfully, the facilities and
P
44
Paul leads a group of young sailors
on an ‘Access Class Sailing’ day out
infrastructure deficits have been addressed in the
intervening years through the work of IWA and local sports
groups. It has now finally reached a point where sporting
clubs that have made accessibility part of their ethos have
reaped many benefits.”
In the early’ 90s, Paul played indoor five-a-side
soccer on crutches with his friends. “I was lacking a little in
pace, but I held my own as the crutches gave me a distinct
advantage when it came to closing down and blocking
more able-bodied players! I’m not sure if my friends
appreciated this advantage!”
Paul also became involved in the administration of his
local GAA club as well as taking up shooting. The
administrative skills he picked up at this time he hopes will
stand to him in his new role.
He reflects that even though he was enjoying his sport in
the ‘90s he really missed the competitive nature of “high
octane sports” such as hurling and boxing.
“In 1999, I was approached by Paul McCarthy, a
paralympic sailor operating out of Kinsale, to complete a
three-man sailing team that included himself and Richard
Whealey. I had some experience of boating, but not at any
competitive level. I accepted the invitation and we started
training two or three times a week with an old boat. It was
at this time that I also started to learn about the workings of
the Paralympic and Sports Councils of Ireland.
“In 2001, we competed at the World Sailing
Championship Regatta in Holland in the Sonar Class. We
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Page 45
sport
hoped for a top 20 finish, but surprised everyone –
particularly ourselves – by taking eighth place overall: an
incredible achievement considering the effort we had put in
and the boat we had.” He continues: “After Holland our
commitment increased. We trained five times a week in a
new boat we purchased after our success in Holland. Our
new goal was the Athens Olympics in 2004.”
As they achieved a top eight finish in Holland the team
was eligible for some support from the Sports Council of
Ireland, but they had to fund much of the training
themselves. Paul, a stonemason by trade, says: “Luckily, I
had my construction business which was doing very well.”
Paul also had a family including a baby daughter. So it was
very hard to keep a balance between home, work and
training.
“It was very difficult for all three members of the team,
but with the support of our families we stuck with it.
“.. the crutches gave me a distinct
advantage when it came to
closing down and blocking more
able-bodied players! I’m not sure if
my friends appreciated this
advantage!”
Paul with Jimmy Byrne (IWA Secretary
and Paralympics Chef de Mission) at
Quingdao in the Beijing Olympics
Paul keeps his sporting interests
as broad as possible
Unfortunately, we didn’t qualify for Athens. But as in all
sports you have to accept defeat as you would a victory
and we got back in the boat and set our sights on the
2005 World Championships in Denmark. Success evaded
us again in Denmark, but we came home more determined
than ever to make an impact at the World Championships
in Perth, Australia, the following year and get some reward
for the efforts we had put in.”
A sixth place finish in Perth encouraged the team to
attempt to qualify for Beijing 2008. This time, after a series
of qualifying races that took them all over the world, and
having ‘medaled’ in two of these races, they made it to the
2008 Paralympic Games in China.
In the months leading up the Games training was
disrupted by a series of health problems for each member
of the team. “Nothing too serious, but serious enough to
greatly disrupt our training schedule. When we eventually
got to compete in Qingdao in the Sonar Class, there was
little wind to speak of and the competition was extremely
difficult for all competitors.
“We finished ninth overall, which was probably a very
respectable result considering the problems we had in the
months prior to the Games. But needless to say we were
disappointed. However, it was a fantastic experience and I
will always treasure the memories. We are also grateful to
the Paralympic and Sports Councils as well as the Sports
Medicine Department at University of Limerick for all their
support in preparing for the Games.”
Before Beijing, Paul had decided he would take a break
from competitive sailing, but he wanted to stay involved in
the sport: “I had decided that no matter what happened, I
was going to take some time out to get involved in
development of the sport in Cork. An opportunity arose as
spokeout
45
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sport
Paul McCarthy, Paul Ryan and
Richard Whealey in training for
the Beijing Paralympics
result of discussions I had with the Irish Disabled Sailing
Association. On my return home I got involved with the
Association and we developed a new sailing programme in
Cork, which has to be the most rewarding thing I have
been involved in in my life.”
The ‘Access Class Sailing Programme’ sees an average
of 20 children with a range of disabilities sailing every
Saturday in Kinsale. “I spent much of 2008 and 2009
working on the programme, and following from its success
there are now plans to introduce a similar programme in
Dun Laoghaire and to develop an existing programme on
Lough Derg along similar lines.”
Paul explains they received great help in setting up the
programme from Sinead Costelloe of the Cork Local
Sports Partnership and Jean Daly, who was IWA’s Sports
Development Officer in Munster at that time.
When Jean decided to leave IWA it was suggested to
Paul that he apply for the post. “At first I laughed at the
idea, not knowing where I would find the time! But after
thinking about it, I realised this would be a dream job.”
Paul applied, and he was offered the part-time post in
November last. Working 21 hours a week and having such
a large area to cover in Munster presents a number of
challenges. “Big challenges”, he admits, “but technology
such as the internet makes the job much easier than it
would have been a few years back. Access to sporting
facilities in Munster has also improved dramatically in the
past 10 years and there is wonderful support from
organisations across the province.”
Paul sees his role as giving advice, support and
encouragement to individuals and groups that have
sporting ambitions, big and small. “My job is made easier
by the fact that many local sporting organisations are
46
developing their own programmes, so there are growing
opportunities for participation at the top level and all the
way down the line.”
Since taking up the post, Paul has visited and been
impressed by a number of local sporting clubs and
facilities across Munster.
Paul plans to encourage access for all to sports clubs
and facilitates throughout Munster and he will help
groups and clubs achieve this “in a sustainable way”. He
is also charged with identifying sporting talent that has
the potential to represent Ireland at the highest level as
well as, most importantly, promoting healthier lifestyle
programmes for people and children in schools.
If anyone is considering setting up a sporting initiative
or facility in their local area, Paul advises, “From my
experience in setting up the sailing programme in
Kinsale and seeing the momentum that it took on, I think
in many cases once the right structures are in place and
the right people involved, any new local sports initiative
brings massive community gain in a short space of time.”
In closing, Paul’s competitive spirit comes back to the
fore, “I don’t see why Munster isn’t competing on an
even platform with teams from Leinster and other parts of
the country. The talent and facilities are there, it is just a
matter of creating the opportunities and building our
profile so groups and individuals can make best use of
our services to achieve their own sporting goals. “would
also like to encourage people who want to start any
accessible sporting or exercise programme in their local
area to get in touch to see if we can assist in any way.”
For further information or to contact Paul Ryan, tel: IWA
Cork 021 435 0283 or email: [email protected]
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youth
IWA YOUTH CONSULTATION REPORT
In autumn 2009, IWA’s Youth Service
consulted with young members and
collated their views on how IWA
should develop and deliver relevant
youth services. Daragh Kennedy,
IWA National Youth Development
Officers, relays some of the findings
Approximately 200 young people,
aged 13 to 30, took part in the
consultation to assess how best
services, supports and activities could
be delivered. The quality of the
responses received was of a high
standard, which was vital to the
success of the consultation.
The consultation revealed that,
amongst other things, almost all
respondents wanted youth services
that involve young people with and
without disability together rather than
services solely for young people with
disability. Respondents wanted
services at times that suit them and
information on what is available for
their age group within their
community. Access to employment
opportunities weighed heavily on
respondents minds as well as having
an involvement in planning and
running of their own services.
Comments collected included:
• “I would be lost without my PA
hours. I would love to get more hours
as I am dependent on parents
otherwise.”
• “We want to spread our wings and
not just hide ourselves away. We
should be doing what everyone else is
doing.”
• “People’s attitudes can be a
problem sometimes; they make
assumptions about ability when they
see you in a wheelchair.”
• “My parents take care of me now,
but if they were not able to do so, who
can I contact?”
Over the coming months, IWA will
David Cotter (left), IWA member
from Tralee and winner of the
Youth Service Consultation
Competition, being presented
with his digital camera prize by
Terry O’Brien, Service Co-ordinator, Tralee
attempt to deliver on the issues
highlighted during the consultation,
something that will pose challenges
but will also be exciting to pursue.
For more information on the latest
developments in Youth Services, go to
www.iwa.ie/youth, contact your local
IWA Centre, or contact Daragh
Kennedy, National Development
Officer. Email: [email protected]
Tel: 087 997 5444.
Twin sisters inspire interactive DVD project
A new DVD and resource booklet
provides a unique perspective on
the day-to-day experiences of
young people with disabilities
IWA and Longford County Council
recently released an interactive
educational DVD and resource
package, which is intended for use in
making school spaces more accessible
for students with disabilities. The DVD,
‘View from Here’, was inspired by
14-year-old Longford twin sisters,
Claire and Marie Kenny, who live similar
lives but feel they are treated quite
differently by society. Claire has a
physical disability, while Marie, whose
idea the project was, does not. Both
girls believe the assumption held by
many that a physical disability is a
major barrier to success in life is
completely wrong and they wanted to
change people’s attitudes by sharing
some of the daily situations they
experience in their lives. As part of the
production, cameras were fitted to
Claire’s wheelchair to capture some of
the daily situations that arise for a
wheelchair user. IWA member Claire
says: “We hope that this will help
students and teachers see what they
can improve in their schools and help
them gain a better understanding of
the difficulties faced by people with
disabilities.”
The package contains the DVD and
a resource booklet to assist teachers
and leaders with further support
material. Speaking at the launch of the
DVD, which was held in the Longford
Arms Hotel in December, Mayor of
Longford, Cllr Peggy Nolan, said:
“Longford County Council is proud to
be part of this innovative initiative
which will be used to raise awareness
of the issues facing young people with
disabilities and thereby promote better
integration in our schools.” This
IWA-led project was jointly funded
through the Office of the Minister for
Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA),
Longford County Council and Longford
VEC. The DVD and resource booklet is
being distributed to secondary schools
across the country. However, the
resource booklet is also available for
download from the IWA website
www.iwa.ie
Back row (l to r): Laura McPhilips (Administrative Officer, Community and Enterprise, Longford Co Council), Daragh Kennedy (IWA),
Hugh Farrell (IWA) and Maria O’Callaghan
(IWA). Front (l to r): Claire Kenny, Cllr Peggy
Nolan (Mayor of Longford) and Marie Kenny.
Photo reproduced with kind permission from
Longford Leader. Photographer: Mary Bracken
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Lorraine operates the desk in
the adapted radio studio in
Ballyfermot College
HOT WHEELS
Volunteering has become a habit for Lorraine Maher,
with one project leading to another for the
gregarious Dubliner. Robbie Cousins finds out why in
Lorraine’s world, saying “no” is rarely an option
icknamed ‘Hot Wheels’ by most who know her,
Lorraine Maher is what you might call a habitual
volunteer. She laughs: “I don’t know what it is,
but if I have an interest in something, I generally
tend to become totally immersed in it. But I have always
got a lot more back than I put in.”
Lorraine, who is studying for a Higher National Diploma
in Media Production (Radio) at Ballyfermot College of
Further Education (BCFE), began volunteering at social
events. She says: “In my teens I attended many events
and, while I didn’t mind, I felt I was being volunteered
rather than volunteering to do things. When I turned 18, I
thought it was time that I take the initiative and start looking
for things I wanted to do and that challenged me.”
After Lorraine finished school, her ambition was to get a
job in media, and she had a particular love of radio. “I really
wanted to study at BCFE but had to wait until I turned 23
and achieved the status of ‘mature student’ before I could
do that. In the meantime, I started to look at ways of
building up relevant experience in the area that I wanted to
make my career in. When the opportunity arose I applied
N
50
and got on to a CE scheme in Drama and Production run
through Ballyfermot Civic Centre.”
It was while on the scheme that Lorraine learnt that the
local community radio station, Liffey Sound FM in Lucan,
was looking for volunteers. “I got in touch and before long I
was part of the presentation team on the breakfast show
and became known by the radio moniker, DJ Hot Wheels.”
She laughs because the name has stuck. “Everyone just
calls me Hot Wheels now.”
Lorraine stayed at Liffey Sound FM for a number of years
before more recently becoming a volunteer at Near 90FM,
another Dublin community radio station.
When she turned a mature 23 years of age, Lorraine
applied and was accepted in to BCFE. She says: “They
told me I was to be the first student with a disability to take
my particular course. And the college wanted to ensure
that all my accessibility requirements were met. Within a
few weeks of starting the course, they had made amendments to one of the radio studios, so it was more accessible for me. Since that time, there have been further
adjustments made around the school that have paved the
24/02/2010
16:53
Page 51
youth
way for other students with disabilities. I was delighted with
Tara Brandel (Artistic Director,
Croi Glan) rehearses with the dance group
the way the authorities consulted with me to see what
for the Do Look Now performance
worked and how seriously they took and continue to take
my suggestions.” Lorraine also says that being the first person with a disability to take her course has been one of her
proudest achievements to date.
Outside of class, Lorraine began to expand her portfolio
of voluntary activities, and she has become involved in a
number of significant youth and social initiatives in the
south Dublin area over the past few years.
She says: “I met Stephen Moynihan (IWA Youth Worker
Dublin) a couple of years ago and completed a disability
training workshop with him. Stephen had some great ideas
about youth and highlighting disability issues within the
community. I became involved in the local IWA Youth
and enthusiasm for the arts in the local area. She says:
Group and we met regularly at St Kevin’s Family Resource
“Victoria was a huge support in getting the integrated dance
Centre in Tallaght. Another youth group, the Tallaghtfornia
project moving. But we also talked about other ideas or
Foroige Club, shared the same meetmore precisely developing more opportuing place with our group.”
nities for young people in the local comAs both groups got to know each
“Before long I was
munity to pursue their artistic
other they began to investigate ways
part of the
potential.”
in which they could work together.
The Tallaght Youth Forum came into
Lorraine says: “After a number of
presentation team
being as result of these and other
meetings we all agreed that some
on the breakfast
discussions with like-minded individuals.
form of dance project involving both
show and became Lorraine explains even though the Forum
groups presented an exciting oppora few months old it has already
tunity to challenge stereotypical asknown by the radio ishadonly
some success in reaching out to the
sumptions about disability and also
moniker, DJ Hot
community. “There are now six of us inshow that disability is not a barrier to
volved and we operate out of Rua Red
inclusion.”
Wheels”
Arts Centre. We have been meeting with
South Dublin County Council Arts
youth groups and schools and support is
Officer Victoria Durrer came on board
growing very quickly for the initiative. ” And yes, of course,
with the project and the Cork-based integrated dance
Lorraine is a volunteer.
company Croi Glan was brought in to work with the new
So what is next for Lorraine? “I finish my Diploma this
combined group to devise an integrated piece for them to
perform. The performance, titled Do Look Now, was show- year and would be interested in going on to complete my
Degree. But I have also got so much out of working with
cased at the Tallaght Civic Centre in July of last year and a
young people in my community. I guess I will come to
documentary (also titled Do Look Now) about the show
crossroads at some point, where I may have to choose
can be viewed at the website
what direction my career will take. But for the moment, I
www.noisesouthdublin.com
very happy to continue what I’m doing. The most important
Lorraine believes the performance piece has had a
thing is to enjoy what I do and hope it also helps others to
profound effect on how people view disability in the local
community, but will have a more lasting impact on the lives improve their lives.”
of the young people who were involved in the project. “Do
Look Now was an overwhelming success because it was
Lorraine attends a Tallaght
very warmly received by the local community, but also
Youth Forum meeting
those without a disability in the group took the opportunity
to see beyond the disability and many new friendships
were formed. By the time the performance took place, the
group was already thinking of ways to keep working together. So we have been working on a film project and the
results of this will be presented to the local community at
the end of February at the new Rua Red Arts Centre in
Tallaght.”
While working on the Do Look Now project, Lorraine got
to know Victoria Durrer, who she says has great energy
spokeout
51
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news
CAR RAFFLE 2009
50 WALKS
IWA is planning ‘50 walks in 50 locations’ which will
take place in 2010 to celebrate our 50th year
Walks will take place in all counties and will be organised
locally. It is proposed that local committees will be
established to plan and organise each event. This is an
opportunity for everyone to become involved either in the
planning, walking, pushing, raising sponsorship or
organising fun activities around the event. The time of
year, date, duration, size of event, number of activities,
will all be decided at local level. If you would like to get
involved, please contact Mildred Carroll at tel: 087
4161878 / email: [email protected] or Zoe Egner at
tel: 087 995 5062 / email: [email protected]
IWA would like to express a sincere ‘thank you’ to all
the readers who kindly returned IWA’s Super Ford
Focus Car Raffle Cards from the autumn issue of
Spokeout. IWA’s Fundraising Department is delighted
to report that it raised €50,000 from the sale of
tickets. The winner of the Ford Focus was Paul
Kinsella, Graiguecullen, Co Carlow. Tickets for our
2010 Ford Focus Car Raffle, which takes place in
December, are available from IWA’s Fundraising Dept
on tel: 01 818 6469 / email: [email protected]
NATIONAL ARTS & CRAFTS
EXHIBITION AND FAIR
Carlow knitters: (back) Jenny Bolger,
Jane Haines, Valerie Haughney,
(front) Mary Brophy, Irene Boyle
and Laura Michael
Competitors in the talent show
at Clontarf Resource Centre’s
Fun Day in June 2009
IWA’s got talent
IWA is currently planning a fun-filled singing contest for
members. Organisers say their intention is “to publicly
affirm the ability of IWA members to compete at the
highest level in the entertainment industry!” The contest
will identify the best singing talent within the IWA
membership through a series of regional contests.
Regional finalists will then get the opportunity to perform
at a national final and sing on a professionally produced
CD.
If you are a singer and would like to put your name
forward please contact:
• Mary Farrell: 087 050 7711 / [email protected]
• Kathleen Carroll: 086 841 7616
/[email protected]
• Tony Coy: 086 813 0710 / [email protected]
52
A National Arts & Crafts Exhibition and Fair is being
planned as part of the Irish Wheelchair Association’s 50th
anniversary celebrations in autumn of this year. This event
will showcase the excellent range and quality of arts and
crafts that are being created by members in IWA Resource
and Outreach Centres throughout the country. At this
stage, members in IWA’s various centres are encouraged
to start planning and preparing arts and crafts for this
event. If you are involved in art or crafts and would like to
take part, please contact either Josie Kilgallon at tel: 087
050 6175 / email: [email protected] or Karen Cronin at
tel: 087 268 9445 / email: [email protected] There will
be an update on this event in the next issue of Spokeout.
Basket-making in
Carlow Resource
Centre
24/02/2010
16:55
Page 53
news
Glennon’s Insurance
ACCESS ALL AREAS
Access, Care & Mobility Exhibition showcases range of
adaptive technology and equipment
The 2010 Access, Care & Mobility Exhibition takes place
on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th June 2010 in the City
West Convention Centre, Saggart, Co Dublin. Now in its
eight year, the Exhibition is Ireland’s only event for healthcare, disability and rehabilitation. It caters for healthcare
professionals, carers and people with disabilities and will
have stands covering everything from vehicle conversions
and scooters, specially adapted phones, zero gravity
chairs, bathroom and kitchen aids through to specially
adapted fashion footwear for children. The Access, Care &
Mobility Exhibition will run from 10 am to 5 pm each day
and entry is free-of-charge. For further details see:
www.accessandmobility.ie
IWA member Michael Moriarty, Co Meath, was the
winner of the most recent Glennon’s Insurance
Draw for a year’s free car insurance. The next draw,
which is open to IWA members, their spouses/partners, and their carers, is for those seeking quotations through Glennon during the months of April,
May and June. Michael received the prize from
Chris Hoey, IWA Regional Director, in the regional
office in Navan. Also pictured are: Shauna Cahill,
ALS Coordinator; Mildred Carroll, Area Manager;
Alan Grimes, IT Systems Development/DBA, and
Seamus Casey, Fundraising Development Officer.
To find out more about IWA Car and Home
Insurance Schemes, contact Glennon on tel:
1890 812 221 or email: [email protected]
spokeout
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news
Dublin businesses urged to prioritise access
Access Matters, a campaign and
business directory initiative led by the
Access Unit of Dublin City Council,
aims to increase awareness and
understanding of access issues in
Dublin. During 2010, organisers of the
campaign are anticipating the addition
of hundreds of new businesses to the
Access Matters business directory,
and they are calling on IWA members
to encourage businesses in their local
area to make ‘access’ the ‘Number
One’ priority in 2010.
A street level survey carried out last
year in Dublin City found that:
• 90 percent of people in Dublin felt
they would benefit from knowing the
level of accessibility provided at a
venue or business before leaving their
house
• 89 percent believe it is important
and makes economic sense for a
business to adapt their services and
facilities to meet the needs of
everybody, not just wheelchair users,
but elderly people, visually impaired
people, people temporarily on
crutches, etc.
• A majority of those surveyed (58
percent) felt that equal access would
have a positive benefit primarily on
social inclusion, but also on the
economy and tourism.
The Access Matters Business
Directory for Dublin provides
information on levels of accessibility in
restaurants, pubs, hotels, cinemas,
banks, shopping centres, museums
and many other publicly used
buildings around Dublin.
Businesses wishing to apply for
inclusion in the Access Matters
Maeve Binchy
launches the
Access Matters
business
directory
Business Directory can do so online at
www.accessdublin.ie or by requesting
a Business Registration Pack from the
Access Unit of Dublin City Council
Tel: 01 222 2194. Email:
[email protected]
Disability Law book published
The European Yearbook of Disability Law, edited
by Prof Gerard Quinn (NUI Galway) and Prof
Lisa Waddington (Maastricht University), is a
comprehensive review of significant developments at European level regarding disability law
and policy.
According to the publishers, the field of
European disability law and policy is both new
and rapidly expanding and the book covers a
disparate range of subject areas including
non-discrimination, transport, education,
employment and housing.
This is the first time all of the relevant
developments have been included in one
publication and it could be an indispensable
reference work for Government and non-Government agencies, public policy analysts and
researchers, as well as solicitors and barristers.
The Yearbook also contains a series of essays
on current challenges and developments from
senior analysts and
academics in the field.
The European Yearbook
of Disability Law is
published in paperback
by Interstatia (ISBN 97890-5095-820-2 ) and
should cost approximately €60
VACANCIES IN CLONTARF
INDEPENDENT LIVING APARTMENTS
There are currently a number
of vacancies in the Leo Close
Independent Living
Apartments in Clontarf, which
were officially reopened in
November 2009 and featured
in last autumn’s Spokeout.
The apartments provide
purpose-built wheelchair
accessible accommodation
and are designed to give
people with limited mobility
the opportunity to develop
independent living skills.
The IWA Clontarf-based
Independent Living Service
(ILS) provides training, support
and advice to the tenants and
works with them to explore
long-term housing options.
The length of tenancies can
vary from short tasters of less
than a week up to the
maximum period of 18
months. To apply, a person
Leo Close Independent Living
Apartments
must be between 18 and 65
years of age. ILS staff
welcome informal enquires
and invite people to contact
them for further information.
People living outside of Dublin
are also welcome to apply.
To find out more, contact
ILS by telephone on 01 818
6477 or email [email protected]
spokeout
55
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news
Tipperary BOCCIA
North Tipperary CAVA award
North Tipperary Community and Voluntary Association
(CAVA) was set up to facilitate people to empower themselves through collective participation in the community
and voluntary development. CAVA actively supports and
encourages community and voluntary groups to reach
their potential. The North Tipperary and Limerick IWA
Sports Group was nominated for an award in the sports
category of CAVA and was successful. They received the
award in November. The group meets each Wednesday in
Duncairn Community Hall, Co Offaly, to play basketball
and other sports and welcome new members.
Back (l-r): Peter Doherty (staff), Silke Brophy (staff), Rose Maher (staff),
Charlene Donnelly (staff), Esther Mackey (staff), and Mary Campion
(staff). Front (l-r): Members Elizabeth Coffey, Joan Tuohy, Liam Kennedy,
Kevin Clifford and Eamonn Sheehan
A group of service users attending the Roscrea
Resource Centre on Thursdays formed three boccia teams
in February 2009 and participated in summer and winter
boccia leagues. Kathleen Finn, Sports Inclusion Disability
Officer with North Tipperary Partnership, organised a
‘Tipperary Boccia League’ with the final taking place in
December. A team representing Roscrea won this league,
which attracted 10 teams in Division 1, and is now entering
the National Boccia League.
Dublin City Marathon
Having collected sponsorship
from colleagues, families, and
friends, IWA staff members
Chris Hoey, Natasha Spremo,
and Karen Cronin presented
Jimmy Byrne, IWA Secretary,
with a cheque for €6,651, on
behalf of the 2009 IWA Marathon Team.
Back (l-r): Trevor Kennedy, Jennifer Williams, Ann O’Callaghan,
Tony Hassett (trainer), Charlene Donnelly, Darren Noonan, Michael
Hayes, and Edel Carey. Front (l-r): Thomas Butler, Catherine Dunne,
Paul Beagan, Kevin Clifford and Damien Woods
GLASS PAINTING COURSE
North Tipperary VEC recently funded a glass painting
course for members of Roscrea Resource and Outreach
Centre. The course, coordinated by local artist Kathleen
Flanagan, gave members and service users an opportunity to try a new art technique. The course participants
had an opportunity to exhibit their work at the annual
open day/coffee morning which coincided with the
Angel Campaign launch.
BRENDAN GRACE LAUNCHES ANGELS
In November, to
coincide with the
national launch of
IWA’s Angel Campaign,
comedian Brendan
Grace launched the
North Tipperary
campaign at his
show held in
The Source Arts Centre,
Thurles. Brendan is
pictured with service
users Michael O’Dowd
and Eamonn Sheehan.
Back (l-r): Alice Walsh, Jo Moyles, Patricia Hodgins, Mary O’Meara,
and Kathleen Flanagan. Front (l-r): Paddy Walsh, Bill Guest, Liz Coffey,
Lelia Corkery, Mary Child and Joan Tuohy
spokeout
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crossword
Crossword
To be in with a chance of winning one of two €50
‘One4all’ gift tokens, which can be used in 4,500
retail 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 30th April 2010
and two winners drawn.
Crossword No. 7 by Gordius
Across
1. High, dropping shot. (3)
3. Hand-written documents
that will make aunts
scrimp. (11)
8 and 12 down. It is
celebrated after fifty years.
(6,11)
9. Single-storey dwelling. (8)
10. Diagnostic examinations.
(5)
11. A play. (5)
13. Shade of brown. (5)
15. Tree-lined driveways. (7)
16. Region around Cavan
named in the riff Ben
rewrote. (7)
20. Exclamation beloved of
Scottish owls? (5)
21. Misgiving. (5)
23 and 24. Dublin location
for the historic November
1960 meeting which established the Irish Wheelchair
Association. (5,8)
25. Famous Spanish flotilla.
(6)
26. Fine insight and
judgment. (11)
27. The late Ms Hayes, after
whom a training centre was
named last year. (3)
Down
1. Dizzy, giddy. (5-6)
2. The centre of a
dartboard. (8)
3. Encounters. (5)
4. Scold someone for
arranging an arid pub! (7)
5. Stiff, unbending. (5)
6. The room in 23 across
where the association
began. (6)
7. Stitch together. (3)
12. See 8 across.
13. Large, deciduous tree.
(5)
small ads
FOR SALE
Cars and accessories
Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle Bus
2008 Ricon lift, alloy rims, 16,000 km.
€28,000. Tel: 087 644 6339 (Kerry)
Toyota LiteAce 1995 Automatic, five
seats plus wheelchair, hydraulic rear lift,
air conditioning, electric windows/mirrors, NCT 06/11, 48,000 miles. €4,000. Tel:
087 791 9239 (Tipperary)
14. Noblemen whose flight is
commemorated in a great
walk. (5)
17. How furniture arrives
when it requires construction by the buyer. (4,4)
18. Criminal, thug. (7)
19. Healthcare employees.
(6)
22. On two occasions. (5)
23. Earn, deserve. (5)
24. Concealed. (3)
CROSSWORD WINNERS FOR WINTER 2009
M Doyle, St Mullins, Co Carlow; P Hodgins,
Birr, Co Offaly
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).
Wheelchairs, scooters and adaptive
equipment
Electric wheelchair As new. €1,200. Tel:
087 791 9239 (Tipperary)
Ultralite powerchair 760/765 Perfect
condition, 18 months old, folds easily for
transporting by car. €1,500. Tel: 086 262
3361 or 01 298 0235 (Dublin)
condition. €900. Tel: 042 937 7325 after
2pm (Louth)
Pride Revo Mobility Scooter
Showroom condition (used for six
weeks), easily transported. €850. Tel: 01
811 4813 or 085 282 4156 (Dublin)
Mobility Scooter Perfect working order.
€1,400 ono. Tel: 086 062 3906 (Limerick)
Three-wheel tricycle Suitable for adult,
safety harness, back support, perfect
spokeout
59
24/02/2010
17:12
Page 60
letters
YOUR VIEWS Got something to say? Write to us at Spokeout,
Irish Wheelchair Association, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3
FOUNDER MEMBER OLIVER MURPHY
Dear Editor
I am writing to request that a feature be done on Oliver
Murphy: the last surviving founder member of the Irish
Wheelchair Association. Whereas most of the older
members of IWA know about the origin of IWA and how it
came into existence, there may be a lot of new members
who are not aware of the IWA story. It would be fitting
therefore if we could acknowledge Oliver Murphy’s
contribution as the last surviving member of the original
group that set up the organisation now known as IWA.
The IWA was founded in 1960. At the time social services were basic and it was left to individuals such as Lady
Valerie Goulding (Central Remedial Clinic) and the eight
original IWA founders to supplement the meagre health
services of the time by coming together with like-minded
individuals to provide a service for disabled people. Perhaps the article could get Oliver Murphy’s thoughts on the
growth of the IWA as indeed it is a story of an acorn growing into a huge tree.
It would indeed be fascinating to read about the
IWA founder member Oliver Murphy (left)
with veteran UK disability rights activist Sir Bert Massie
founding members of IWA and get Oliver’s views and
memories of how he sat with seven other people in the
Pillar Room of the Mater Hospital to improve the lives of
disabled people by founding their own organisation.
Yours, etc.
Nora Alford
Dublin
Editor’s note: Your suggestion was a good one, and has been echoed by several other staff and members. You will see by
our cover story that we have taken it on board! Our cover story focuses on Oliver’s own life story, but Oliver’s memories of
the day IWA was founded will be included in IWA’s 50th Anniversary Commemorative book, due for publication later this year.
INSPIRATIONAL TELEVISION
Dear Editor
On Tuesday 19th January UK television presenter Gok
Wan did a show on Channel 4 titled How to look good disabled and naked. It was the first of a three-part series,
running for three Tuesday nights from the 19th January.
Gok Wan said that it was inspiring to work on the series –
and as viewers, we too found it inspiring.
I am totally blind and my two daughters are registered
as blind. The show focuses on women with disabilities
and body confidence issues. This show is an excellent
idea from Gok Wan and is definitely a move in the right
direction. We think something similar should be done by
Irish television stations – although we are a bit backward in
this country and, consequently, we will not be holding our
breath! However, hopefully some TV producer will hear our
plea!
Yours, etc.
Marion and Sinead Kane
Cork
P.S. I suppose it would be asking too much to get Channel
4 to bring Gok Wan to Ireland?
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THESE PAGES ARE THE VIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL READERS AND
DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF IWA
60

- Irish Wheelchair Association

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