This booklet has been

devised to help parents

whose child will be

attending an MDI holiday

for the first time.

FOR

PARENTS

Muscular Dystrophy Ireland

Holiday Booklet Holiday Booklet

Overview: This booklet has been devised to help par-

ents whose child will be attending holiday

for the first time. Throughout the year MDI

organises 3 week long breaks. The groups

are generally split in accordance of ages.

Group 1: 12– 15 years

Group 2: 15-17 years

Group 3: 11-14 years

For 2015 the camps for members will be

held in Kilcuan Lodge, Clarinbridge, Co.

Galway as this centre is best suited to the

needs of the group.

The Accommodation: Kilcuan Lodge: Run by the Irish Pilgrim

Trust in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway. The

Lodge is situated on a quiet road surrounded

by woods, it is very tranquil. It is due to the

woods that mobile phone reception is not

great. There is a public phone (Tel:091

796917) which parents can ring. The centre

has a living room style area with a flat screen

TV, tables that are big enough for meal times

and activities, a kitchenette and is very spa-

cious. It is very homely, the centre is always

warm and has under floor heating. There is a

separate well-serviced kitchen and we buy

food for breakfasts, lunches and snacks.

There are 16 bedrooms. All rooms are en-

suite and accessible. Please note that mem-

bers or staff will not have keys for their

rooms. There are 2 electric beds and MDI

often bring 2 more that are assembled on

site. There is no shortage of pillows, sheets,

blankets etc. Laundry facilities are limited

so it is advised to pack enough clothes for

the week. The space outside is ideal for

power soccer, obstacle courses etc. You can

get more information on the lodge by visit-

ing www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com

There will not be any other groups staying at

the same time as we are there.

Clarenbridge is a small village with a PO,

primary school, church, pharmacy, hair-

dresser and a doctors surgery. Claren-

bridge is a short drive to Oranmore and

about 25 minutes into Galway (depending on

traffic).

Please remember to pack towels, as they

are not provided at the lodge.

Food: Please ensure to inform MDI if your child has

any dietary requirements. If your child

needs something in particular, eg they will

only eat a certain type of cereal then it may

be best to send some in case that type is not

in the selection we buy.

For breakfast there are the usual suspects -

cereals (weetabix, cornflakes, rice krispies,

coco pops, porridge, cheerios), fruit, yo-

ghurts, toast, scrambled eggs, scones etc.

We would normally have lunch at the centre

– sandwiches, wraps, bagels, omelettes or

crackers. If you are heading out for an activ-

ity we will bring a packed lunch with us or

eat out – if this is the case the cost will be

covered by MDI.

In general we have our evening meals in Kil-

cuan Lodge. Usually there is a pizza night

and a Chinese night. On the other evenings

caterers cook the evening meal. There are

two choices and we check early in the day

that there is something everyone likes and if

not we organise an alternative for them.

Common choices include – chicken curry,

spaghetti bolognaise, lasagne, roast chick-

en, homemade burgers, and cod. Sides in-

clude wedges, chips, rice, baked potatoes

and salad.

Equipment: As already mentioned there are 2 electric

beds in the centre and MDI brings 2 more.

If your child needs one of these beds it must

be specified on their application form to en-

sure their comfort. MDI also brings hoists,

toilet chairs and shower chairs, bed levers,

bed sides and sliding sheets. Some mem-

bers do bring their own shower chairs and

mattresses and this is perfectly ok but

please do inform us if this is the case so as

there will be enough room on the bus. Most

members bring their own slings, labelled,

MDI do have some but it is better for the

member to have their own sling. Should

you require anything more regarding

equipment you should contact the camp co-

ordinator.

Staff: Staff include Youth & Respite Workers, nurs-

es, PA’s and MDI’s bus driver. All staff are

Garda vetted and core staff are trained in

patient lifting, first aid and children first.

Many of the PA’s and nurses work with MDI

throughout the year and are familiar with

the needs of our members. New staff will

be paired up with experienced staff. On

camps staff work in pairs and normally look

after 2 members. These pairings are for as-

sisting members to get up in the morning

and go to bed at night. Members can ask

any member of staff to help them through-

out the day–mealtimes, toileting etc. There

will always be two night staff minimum, 1

nurse and 1 PA. They are to help with night

turning and toileting. It is the same 2 staff

that works nights for the week.

There is a nurse on during the day as well.

He/she will administer medication and all

med’s will be given to him/her on arrival.

He/she will have a copy of the application

form detailing medications. If anyone has

dressings or other medical needs he/she

will take care of them also.

Activities: Outings are usually organised before holi-

day takes place and closer to the time you

will receive a letter from the camp co-

ordinator informing you of activities

booked. You can expect shopping, cinema,

bowling and swimming. Other common ac-

tivities include Aquarium, archery, visits to

local historical sites eg Athenry Castle,

making of films etc.

In the evening time activities will be organ-

ised for the members. These include treas-

ure hunts, obstacle courses, quizzes, arts

and crafts, DVD’s, board games, talent show

and there is a Wii and playstation that are

available (we do sometimes limit time on

the playstation so all members get a go and

so as members do not spend their week

playing playstation!)

Transport: You will be informed about meeting points

and times closer to the holiday. We cannot

pick members up at their homes as this

would make the journey time to Claren-

bridge too long. The same meeting points

are usually used for the return journey.

FAQ: How will my child let the night staff know

they need them?

MDI provide members who require assis-

tance at night with bell pushers to alert

night staff. Each member will have their

‘own tune’ so staff will know immediately

who needs them.

What if my child wants/needs to go home

early?

If this happens and a driver can be spared

then usually MDI will meet a parent some-

where half way between Clarenbridge and

wherever their home is. Due to drivers be-

ing needed at camp we cannot drop mem-

bers all the way home.

How much money should my child

bring?

MDI covers the cost of accommodation,

food, entrance fees to activities eg cinema

tickets, transport and staff. On the cinema

outing MDI will cover the cost of the ticket, a

small drink and popcorn if the member

wants anything extra they will have to pay

for this themselves. If members are re-

quired to make a contribution to an activity

you will be informed before camp. This is

not very often and no one has to take part if

they do not want to. Members usually do

bring money to go shopping with and buy

extras – eg if we go down to the village shop

they might want to buy sweets. MDI is not

responsible for money a member brings on

camp and they are expected to take respon-

sibility for it themselves.

What if my child does not want to take

part in an activity?

Not everyone is going to want to take part in

everything. No one has to do anything they

do not want to do. An alternative will be of-

fered based on how many members want to

do a different activity.

My child is nervous about someone other

than a parent taking care of them.

This is to be expected. Personal care is pro-

vided with the utmost sensitivity and discre-

tion. We will try to pair members with staff

that they know and feel comfortable with. It

is a good idea that if your family works with

a Youth & Respite worker that they could be

there one morning at your own house to

help with the morning routine. This might

help make the child and parent more at

ease on this issue.

My child wants a room on his/her own.

There are 16 rooms at the centre. Three of

these are single rooms. We usually try to

give the night staff a room each as they

need to sleep during the day and two of

these rooms are far away from the living ar-

ea. The third single room is near the top of

the corridor. This room has a carpet in it

(none of the other rooms do) making it un-

suitable for the use of a hoist. This room will

be assigned to a member we feel it is ap-

propriate for. The other rooms are spacious

with separate wardrobe space and a locker

for each member.

Items to pack:

• Suitable outer wear for Irish weather

• Plenty of towels – especially if your child

wants to go swimming

• Swim wear

• Toiletries - Shower gel, face

cloth/sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste,

hairbrush, shampoo and conditioner,

hair gel

• Sling if applicable

• Urinal if applicable

• Charger for chair, with member’s name

on it, if applicable

• Phone charger

• Any sleep system your child uses – spe-

cial cushions etc

• Medications

• Enough underwear for the week

• Incontinence pads if applicable

Please note:

MDI cannot be responsible for any electri-

cal equipment your child wishes to bring

with them e.g. mobile phones, lap tops,

Ipods, DS Lite’s, playstation games etc. If

your child brings these with them they will

be the one responsible for them and we can

only advise to have their name clearly visi-

ble on such items.

We hope that the information contained in

this booklet has been helpful. It you have

any more questions/queries please do not

hesitate to contact your Youth Respite

Worker or the holiday co-ordinator.

Muscular Dystrophy

Ireland

75 Lucan Road

Chapelizod

Dublin 20

Tel: (01) 6236414

Fax: (01) 6208663

Website: www.mdi.ie