spokeout Aut 11 Cover:Layout 1 - Irish Wheelchair Association · communities. In 2011, more than ever, the Angel Campaign needs the support and assistance of local volunteers. With

€4.00 • AUTUMN 2011

SPOKEOUTLifestyle magazine for people with limited mobility published by the Irish Wheelchair Association

Paralympic countdown begins Clane organic gardening project

Hope after a stroke

p12

p52 p44

Volunteers sign up for Angel Campaign

Volunteerspirit

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1SPOKEOUT

ContentsINTRODUCTION5 CEO’s message

CEO Kathleen McLoughlindiscusses current fundingchallenges

COVER STORY: VOLUNTEER SPIRIT6 Angel volunteers

IWA launches volunteerrecruitment drive for its tenthAngel Campaign

9 Marathon feverThe motivation and rewards ofregular marathon runners

FEATURES12 Looking for hope

How Dr Aviva Cohen exploredstroke treatment options for herhusband

15 Girlhood memoriesMaura Roche’s memories ofgrowing up in Europe during theinter-war period

PRODUCTS20 Home comforts

Aids and appliances that make adifference around the house

EDUCATION & CAREERS22 Finding solutions

How a frustrating job hunt ledKatie Bourke to set up her ownbusiness

25 Better OptionsMore about the Better OptionsCollege Fair being run by AHEADthis autumn

26 A day in the lifeGeraldine Coyne, Duty Manager atCuisle, talks about her role

ACCESS29 Too old to be equal?

Ombudsman’s investigation intoMobility Allowance age limit

31 Girly weekendOrganising an accessible henweekend

TRAVEL33 Holidaying at home

Accessible holidayaccommodation in Ireland

34 Flying hotdogs and friendly peopleDave Thomas travels toPittsburgh in WesternPennsylvania

37 Accessible camping andcaravanning in DublinSouth Dublin County Councilcomplete access works atCamac Valley

LIVING39 Delivered to your door

Online ordering and homedelivery

41 Accessible bathrooms made easyNew design ideas for accessiblebathrooms

44 Home grownThe success of IWA Clane’sOrganic Garden Project

48 Learning to drive in CorkResources and tips for learnerdrivers

SPORT: PARALYMPICCOUNTDOWN51 London 2012

Ticketing and event news

52 Going for goldAthlete Orla Barry gears up for2012

54 Paralympian spiritCartoons by JohnnyConnaughton

NEWS57 Fundraising news

IWA’s fundraising calendar

59 Regional snapshotsWhat’s happening around thecountry

REGULARS62 Crossword

Crossword No 13 by Gordius

63 LettersLetters to the editor

64 Small adsSell on items or pick up a bargain

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INTRODUCTION

2

Welcome to ourautumn issue.With IWA’s tenthAngel Campaign set

to take place in November 2011,our cover features the recent launch of the AngelCampaign Volunteering Drive. And, with anumber of significant marathons coming up, wetalk to dedicated marathon enthusiasts aboutwhat got them racing and why they keep comingback for more.

We also feature several interesting personalstories, including Dr Aviva Cohen’s inspiringaccount of how painstaking research and awillingness to try new treatment optionsadvanced her husband’s recovery from a severestroke.

Finally, as the one year countdown to theLondon Paralympics begins, John Fulham fromthe Paralympic Council of Ireland gives us a tasteof what lies ahead, and Paralympic hopeful OrlaBarry explains how she is gearing up for TheGames.

Kiara LynchEditorial Assistant Kiara Lynch is from CoLongford but currently lives in Dublin. Kiarahas had a hectic social schedule over thesummer between organising her sister’s hen

weekend and going to see some of her favourite music actsin Marley Park. And, at the time of going to press, cricketfanatic Kiara is getting ready to shout for Ireland in theIreland versus England game at Clontarf Cricket Club.

Gary AllenGary Allen lives in Turloughmore, Co Galway,with his wife, Linda, two pugs and four cats.Gary works as a software engineer and isdoing a journalism course part-time. As

Vice Commodore of his local sailing club, Gary spendsmuch of his free time sailing or helping run the club. Hesays he also enjoys walking his dogs on the prom inGalway, reading, writing and eating nice things!

Dave Thomas Dave Thomas is from Dublin, but now lives inArklow, Co Wicklow. Dave co-founded theAPIC Centre, an arts organisation for peoplewith disabilities, and also co-developed and

presented ‘Outside the Box’ on RTE Radio 1. Dave runs anindependent media company, DT Media Ireland. When notimmersed in media projects, he fosters children with hispartner. No matter what the weather, he is likely to be foundat one of his stunning local beaches, “a great place to getfresh air and re-energise your mind”.

Aviva CohenDr Aviva Cohen is the Managing Director of Research & Hope Ltd. Since 2006, herresearch has focused on investigating and explaining unusual treatment options

for stroke rehabilitation. She also publishes an onlinemagazine for family carers and is currently developinginteractive games to support families living with brain injury.Since 1994, Aviva has lectured in Philosophy,Psychoanalysis and Communications Theory. She hascombined her academic work with a career as aCommunications Consultant.

Anita MathewsAnita Matthews lives in South Dublin, and is a UCD graduate. Over the past year, Anita has been working in IWA’sCommunications Department, but she

has just taken a break from work to pursue her life-longambition of travelling around South East Asia and Australia.

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS…

DistributionShanahan Direct

Joint Managing Directors, DyflinKaren Hesse, Philip McGaley

Editorial enquiries to:The Editor, Spokeout, Irish Wheelchair Association, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Tel: (00 353) 1 818 6455Email: [email protected]

Advertising enquiries to:Dyflin Publications LtdCunningham House130 Francis Street, Dublin 8Tel: (00 353) 1 4167930

Spokeout is published by DyflinPublications on behalf of I.W.A.Limited. The copyright rests withIWA and no material may bereproduced without the permission of IWA. The viewsexpressed in the publicationdo not necessarily representthe views of IWA.

Spokeout is distributed quarterly by post to 20,200 IWAmembers and to Governmentbodies and other disability interest groups.

ISSN NO: 1393-8517When you have finished withthis magazine please recycle it.

recycle

Editor Joanna Marsden

Editorial AssistanceKiara Lynch, Colette Molloy,Anita Matthews

Editorial Design ManagerLayla Hogan

Advertising and Marketing Design ManagerDiarmuid O’Connor

Advertising Production Co-ordinatorAmina Ferradj

Advertising ProductionCiaran McBride

PrintingPrecision Colour Printing Ltd

Cover PhotoBrian Gavin

SUBSCRIBE NOWPlease 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.

Joanna Marsden, Editor

Spokeout on CD and tapeSpokeout is now available on both tapeand CD. Please contact Colette Molloy on01 818 6485 or [email protected]

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5SPOKEOUT

CEO’s MESSAGEKathleen McLoughlin, CEO ofIWA, discusses the currentfunding challenges and calls onreaders to get involved inIWA’s tenth Angel Day

The cover of this issue reminds us that our annualfundraising day, Angel Day, is a fun event, whichbrings supporters of all ages together and puts theirresourcefulness to the test! Inside this issue, you

will meet a few of our committed volunteers – some AngelCampaign supporters and other regular marathon-runners.Each of them has a different story to tell about how theybecame involved in IWA and what motivates them as theygo about raising funds in their local communities.

Many of those interviewed in this issue are ‘natural’fundraisers, whose energy and focus pushes them forward

even in the most difficult of circumstances, but I am alwaysconscious that not everybody finds it easy to ask others forsupport. Nonetheless there may be some way in which youcan get involved – perhaps by simply taking a box of Angelsto sell to family and friends or by volunteering to help behindthe scenes.

We are trying to maintain our services in an increasinglydifficult economic climate and the pressure on our resourcesis mounting daily. Having come so far, we do not want tohave to cut significant services, but unfortunately that is areality we may soon face. Already we have been forced totemporarily close The Carmel Fallon Respite Centre inClontarf, which is a great loss to many members and theirfamilies.

Despite the challenging times, we remain positive aboutthe future – so much has been achieved in recent years andso many wonderful things are still going on around thecountry every day, as you can see from the articles andphotos in this issue – but at this difficult juncture we reallyneed your help to keep our services going, so please doanything you can to support our tenth Angel Day thisNovember.

INTRODUCTION

SKI-ITALIA 2012

Sign up by logging onto:

www.iwa.ie/ski Email [email protected] or call 087 275 6946

Destination:Spend a week in Livigno in thespectacular Italian Dolomites on the southern tip of the Alps!

When:Sat 21st to Sat 28th January 2012.

How many places:Limited availability of 50 places.

Take to the Slopes for Irish Wheelchair Association on our inaugural Ski Trip!


6

In 2001, IWA introduced its first national fundraisingcampaign, ‘Angel Day’ which took place on November23rd of that year. Based around five speciallycommissioned Angel Pins, the event was an instant

success, thanks to the help of volunteers, staff, corporatesponsors and celebrities such as Kerry Katona wholaunched the first Angel Day campaign. In its first year theAngel Campaign raised €190,500 to support the servicesIWA provides nationwide, and nearly ten years later theAngel Campaign is widely recognised as IWA’s main annualfundraiser.

This year marks the 10th birthday of the Angel Campaignand to celebrate IWA is extending its campaign to include a greater selection of Angel products including: one newAngel pin; an Angel Phone Charm; and beautifully designedAngel Fun Packs containing 16 fun and educationalactivities, a postcard for children to design their very ownIWA Angel and a pack of colouring crayons. All Angelproducts are available at a cost of €2 each.

DPD Ireland, Four Star Pizza, Vodafone, Goldwing andmany local organisations have also agreed to support theAssociation and help us to celebrate the Angel Campaign’stenth birthday.

But more than anything, the Angel Campaign relies on the commitment of hundreds of volunteers, who strive to make the event a success in their localcommunities. In 2011, more than ever, the Angel Campaign needs the support and assistance of localvolunteers. With this in mind, a national volunteeringrecruitment drive took place on 20th August in Limerick, with RTE 2FM DJ Ruth Scott pledging her support to the campaign, and members of the Goldwing Club of Ireland signing up to become the first new 150 volunteers.

By signing up as a volunteer this year, you will be in good company, and you may be surprised at how much fun you can have, as I found out when I talked to

ANGELVOLUNTEERS

ANITA MATTHEWS reflects onthe tenth anniversary of IWA’sAngel Campaign, and finds outwhy volunteers are so importantto making the event a success

From left: Kevin Reynolds,Goldwing Motorcycle Club of Ireland; RTE 2FM’s Ruth Scott;Sorcha Tiernan; Maeve O Dwyer; and Nichola Dore.Photo: Brian Gavin, Press 22

three seasoned campaigners from Cork, Donegal and Dublin!

The Angel Campaign will take place on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th November. If you would like to support the campaign as it celebrates its tenth birthday please contact the Fundraising Department on 01 818 6469 or email [email protected] or visitwww.iwa.ie/fundraising/angels/volunteers.

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7SPOKEOUT

VOLUNTEERING

Joan Herbert, IWA member from Sutton,Co Dublin joins the Sonas Group fromClontarf each year to sell Angel Pins in alocal shopping centreJoan Herbert is an IWA member and attends the Resource and Outreach

Centre in Clontarf every Tuesday and Friday. “I love coming in and out of the centre during the week. The staff are extremely good to me and all ourprogrammes are very well organised. Every two weeks we visit different events going on in the city. Recently we attended the Tutankhamun exhibition in theRDS; this is something I never would have seen were it not for the staff of IWA.”

Joan has been supporting the Angel Campaignfor several years and enjoys fundraising and selling Angel Pins locally. “The general public are very good and will often stop to chat about IWA and the services the Association provides. There is a great atmospherearound Angel Day and the Sonas group looks forward to playing their part each year.” As a member of IWA, Joan realises more then others the importance and value of the services IWA provides, “The services IWA provides are so important to members like me, and I know that by spending a few hours selling Angels, I am raising money which is used for activities and programmes for members.”

Each year the Sonas group raises a significantamount from the sales of Angel pins and pencils. This yearthey hope that local Dublin people will join them, tocelebrate the tenth Angel campaign. If you would like tovolunteer in Dublin during the Angel Campaign please visitwww.iwa.ie/fundraising/angels/volunteers or contact theFundraising Department on 01 818 6469 or [email protected]

Geraldine Fullerton from Inishowen, CoDonegal has been a committedfundraiser since she joined IWA in 2002Geraldine Fullerton works in Malin ROC as a Programme Assistant and BusAttendant, and volunteers as a

fundraiser throughout the year, particularly during the Angel Campaign. “I know how important our servicesare and if we want to keep the services going for futuregenerations, we need to keep at it. You have to havenerves of steel sometimes, but it’s worth it when you seethe difference it makes.”

Geraldine puts the success of her local Angel Campaign down to community spirit. “Even in therecession, community spirit is still strong here. The people of Inishowen and the surrounding areas are so generous and always contribute with a smile. No matter how bad the weather or their owncircumstances, they will stop for a wee chat and give you what they can.”

“Angel Day is a team effort,” says Geraldine. “All the staff get involved in making up the boxes, delivering them and recruiting local people like postmenand fishermen. And our service users play a big role too. Some of them go out on the street, and if they don’t do that, they get family and friends on board, or they help with the counting of the money at the end of the day. We also get great support from the local Farmers’ Marts, and from the localsecondary schools which send out students to help onAngel Day.”

As a seasoned fundraiser, Geraldine has the following advice to offer: “At the beginning of thecampaign, picture your success. Think how much you are going to make. Keep smiling and always keep in mind where the money is going so you can explain it to anyone who asks. And finally, thank everyone who helps you out. Recently I was talking to avolunteer who had just received a thank you card fromIWA. He said that it was the first card he had received inten years of fundraising and it made him feel veryprivileged. Little things like that go a long way.”

If you would like to volunteer in Co Donegal during theAngel Campaign please contact IWA Manorcunninghamon 074 915 7393.

Paudge Deehan, IWA member fromCarrigtwohill, East Cork annuallyvolunteers during the Angel campaign Paudge has been involved with theAssociation since the 1970s and was the Cork Branch Chairperson for

almost fifteen years. Paudge joins the Midleton ROC eachNovember to sell Angel Pins and Pencils. He values therole of the volunteer in the Angel Campaign and theimportance of the national fundraising campaign “My heartis really in it; I believe in the importance of the AngelCampaign.”

Each November Paudge drops Angel boxes into local businesses, “I am able to drive so it’s no problemdropping the boxes into local shops and business.It also means that I can drive right up to the nearest

disabled parking space and people see me getting in andout of the car.”

As a seasoned campaigner for IWA, Paudge has volunteered for a number of initiatives over the years, and has seen the fruits of volunteering whenIWA is able to purchase a new bus or invest in newequipment for the Resource and Outreach Centres”.Usually Paudge would spend two hours in a localshopping centre selling Angels to customers and thegeneral public, “The campaign is always very wellorganised and a local volunteer rota is supplied to you byan IWA Coordinator.” If you would like to volunteer in Corkduring the Angel Campaign please contact the IWA CorkOffice on 021 435 0282.


9SPOKEOUT

IWA is looking for participants to take part in nationaland international marathons to help maintain theAssociation’s vital services for people with disabilitiesin communities around Ireland. So far this year, 250

people have taken part in marathons across the country forthe Irish Wheelchair Association. As well as raisingsubstantial funds for the Association, most participantsenjoy their marathon experience – building their fitnesslevels, making new friends and ending up with a welldeserved sense of achievement.

HOW TO SIGN UP• Secure your place with the race organisers.• Contact [email protected] for your application form • Send your application form back to IWA • IWA will send out your sponsorship packs

(including your free IWA t-shirt) • Decide on your fundraising plan – our local fundraisers

will assist in any way possible, giving you fundraisingideas or help at your events

• Start training and preparation for the race• Begin fundraising and sponsorship • Enjoy the race• Bank your funds• Receive your IWA marathon certificate

If you raise more than €250, IWA will cover the entry fee(up to €30) for your chosen marathon.

FUNDRAISING TIPS FOR MARATHONS• Always seek one of your top donors to

start your card off and encourage others to donate.

• Be proud of what you are doing and remind people thatyou are raising money for a great cause.

• Start fundraising immediately – don’t leave it until thelast minute.

• Collect money as you fundraise as this can help encourage you to train harder – the longer you leave it, the harder it becomes to remindpeople that they agreed to give to something you didweeks ago.

• Ask everyone you can think of. If you don’t ask, youdon’t get, but remember to be friendly and not topressurise people.

• Make your employers aware of your involvement withthe Irish Wheelchair Association.

• Set up a personal fundraising page on www.mycharity.ieand tell all your contacts about it.

• Add a link to your email signature to donate onwww.mycharity.ie.

Remember, you can download IWA’s marathon pack and choose your marathon challenge on www.iwa.ie or register for your sponsorship cards and t-shirt now by calling 01 818 6469 or emailing: [email protected]

VOLUNTEERING

Marathon

FEVERIWA is currently recruiting new participants for its Marathon Team, so why not grab a few friends, get active and raise valuable funds for the Association, says IWA Fundraiser CHARLENE BLOE


So, what prompts people to run amarathon, and why do so many peoplecome back again and again? JOANNA MARSDEN talks to two serialmarathon runners

Jerry Forde, who lives in Cork, hopes to complete his 200thmarathon by the end of 2011“I have spina bifida and when I was a child I spent a lot of time in hospital in Baldoyle, Cappagh and TempleStreet. Most of my time was spent on my face and hands,and anytime I got in a wheelchair, the wheels were tiny and I had to be pushed. So, when as an older child I got my first proper chair, it was such a novelty to be able topush myself. I would fly up and down the hospital corridors,imagining it was a motorcar. I’d go so fast that I’d bumpinto staff members and get myself into trouble. Although itwas many years before I came across the idea of doing amarathon, you could say I was already bitten by the bug!”

Jerry got his first racing wheelchair in around 1990, and,having seen other wheelchair users competing inmarathons on TV, decided he wanted to give it a go. “Myfirst marathon was the Dublin Marathon in 1992. I did a lotof training but I still remember the feeling when I got to thestarting line. We were waiting for the whistle to go and I saidto myself, ‘What am I doing here? I couldn’t back outbecause I’d told so many people at home that I was goingto do it!”

In that first marathon, Jerry achieved a time of 3hrs15mins (for a standard 26.2 mile marathon). Since then hehas beaten that time on many occasions, including hispersonal best of 2hrs 54mins in Australia’s Gold CoastMarathon.

Jerry has participated in every Dublin Marathon since1992, except for one which overlapped with the ChicagoMarathon. In nearly 20 years of marathon-racing, he hastravelled five continents. “I’ve been to Nashville, Memphis,San Diego, New York, Boston, Sydney and Beijing. Gettingan opportunity to travel and see the world is all part of the

fun, and I always think that the medals last longer than thestamps on your passport!”

Determined to push himself even further, Jerry has triedseveral ultra-marathons, including a 39.3 mile marathon inConnemara, and has also succeeded in doing fivemarathons in five days.

Now 60 years of age, Jerry says he sees no reason toslow down. “I see many people going in their 70s so I don’tsee any reason why I can’t keep going.” He recentlycompleted his 196th marathon and has six more lined upfor this year. “I hope to make it to my 200th marathonbefore the end of the year.

“I’d encourage other wheelchair users to give it a try,”adds Jerry. “There is an incredible sense of achievement indoing a marathon. To this day, I get a great kick out of it all.Who would have ever thought that I’d have gone from achildhood lying on my hands to achieving all the things I’veachieved?”

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• 10th September – Killarney Women’s Mini Marathon, Co Kerrywww.killarneywomensminimarathon.ie

• 18th September – Tipperary Mini Marathon,Clonmel, Co Tipperarywww.tippminimarathon.ie

• 25th September – Evening Echo Cork Women’s MiniMarathon, Cork City www.corkminimarathon.com

UPCOMING MARATHONS & WALKS • 2nd October – Athlone ¾ Marathon, Athlone, Co Westmeath www.athlone3quarter.com Irish Wheelchair Association is the charity partner ofthe 2011 Athlone ¾ Marathon

• 16th October – Limerick Women’s Mini Marathon,Limerick City www.limerickac.ie

• 31st October – National Lottery Dublin Marathon2011, Dublin City www.dublinmarathon.ie

Jerry Forde


11SPOKEOUT

VOLUNTEERING

Chris Hoey, a Dublin-born Cavan man, works with IWA as aRegional Director and has been running several marathonsa year since 2004“I did my first marathon, the Dublin Marathon, in October 2004, before I started working for IWA. I supposeit was a bit of mid-life thing – I needed to lose a fewpounds, get a bit healthier, so I said I’d give it a go. My wife is a paediatric nurse, and I did that first marathonas a fundraiser for her ward. Having a fundraising targethelped because once I’d said I was going to do it, I had tostick to it.”

Chris says people react to their first marathon in one of two ways. “Some people do one marathon and thatis enough for them; but for others marathon-runningquickly becomes addictive. Once you’ve got into shape,you don’t want to feel yourself losing that fitness, so you go again.” In his seven years of marathon running,Chris has participated in marathons in Nashville, Paris, Berlin, Las Vegas and Chicago. “I’ve done a lot of the marathons with my brothers and it’s become a way of keeping up with each other. Plus, you get to know lots of other regulars – you see some of the samefaces all over the world – so there is a social aspect to running. I think of it as the pleasure-pain principle. Once the hard work is over, you get to enjoy a bit of aholiday. When we finish a run, we always let our hairdown!”

Chris has joined with a group of other IWA staff members who run the Dublin Marathon each year to raise funds for IWA. “Many of us find running verytherapeutic. Some days, I could be in my car or in theoffice from 6.30am to 9 or 10 at night. I always carry mygear with me and if I get a chance to get out for a run atlunchtime, I find it really sets me up for the day. It clears myhead, and is a great way to re-invigorate in the middle ofthe day.”

In an average week, Chris does about 30 miles oftraining, “rising to 50 a week in the month before amarathon”. Chris is now about to embark on training for the New York Marathon which he will run for the first time this November. “It’s very difficult to get accepted for the NY Marathon. A quarter of a million people apply for 5,000 places through aninternational lottery and it has taken me five years to get a place!

“A marathon is one of those things that everyone should do once in their life,” says Chris, “If only to get fit and feel the great sense of achievement. Yes, it is tough. Marathon runners often say they hit ‘the wall’ during the race; for me it feels like the wall jumps up and smacks me in the head! But it’s just your reserves dropping and your body digging really deep.

“The fundraising aspect can also be hard work, but you learn to fundraise in a structured way. Everymarathon website has a “run for charity’ section,

providing advice on how to get the benefits of running while raising much needed funds for organisations like IWA. And it’s always easy to fundraise for your firstmarathon because people appreciate the challenge you are taking on.

“The great thing about marathons is that you don’t needto be a high performing athlete, or able-bodied, or young –they are open to everyone. You don’t even need gym fees– just a decent pair of trainers or a suitable wheelchair, andlots of motivation.

“Sometimes when I do a marathon or race, I look aroundme and there are people from all walks of life, and we areall standing on the line as equals, facing the samechallenge. It’s a great leveller, and that’s something moneycan’t buy.”

Chris Hoey (right)


LOOKING FOR HOPE

12

In June of 2006, after manydifficult years, I found myselfliving a magical life. I had awonderful six-year-old

daughter, a perfect baby girl in myarms and a man who was, in my eyes, more desirable thanany movie star. I was also happy that, despite a longillness, my sister Belinda was making plans for her futureand for her four fabulous sons. By December, everythinghad changed.

My sister had lost her battle with breast cancer and astroke had turned my husband Steve, a karate master, intoa 17-stone child with no speech, severely reducedmovement and little understanding of what was going onaround him. My mother was dangerously ill, I had slipped adisc trying to lift Steve and I had many signs of breastcancer. Thankfully, I later found out that I was sufferingfrom a benign condition.

There were days when I wondered if I was the subject ofa cosmic stress test run by a group of mad scientists in aMatrix-type world. I imagined them giggling away in theirlab, nudging each other and whispering, “Let’s see whathappens if we make the commode split, the doorbell ring,the baby cry and Steve shout all at the same time!”

Some people turn to comfort food at times like this. I do,too, but I also take comfort in reading: the heavier andmore obscure the topic the better. When Steve fell ill, Iasked his doctors and therapists to give me papers toread, I wanted everything they had on stroke. Once I hadexhausted their resources, I went online. I started on thefirst entry that popped up and read and read and read.

As I worked my way through Google’s search listings, Icame across hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). Ahyperbaric oxygen chamber (or diving chamber) suppliesoxygen to divers under pressure of deep water. The same

technology can be used to treat a variety of conditions,including stroke. It works by increasing the amount ofoxygen in the blood and can reignite ‘dormant’ or sleepingbrain tissue. After numerous treatments, Steve began to‘wake up’. He was better able to follow a conversation,make a cup of coffee and dress himself.

In 2007, I started researching stem cell therapy. Over thenext two years, the prospect of treatment kept Stevegoing. We knew the outcome would be uncertain; we wererealistic but felt that if we didn’t try stem cell treatment, wewould always wonder if we had missed an opportunity tohelp Steve recover. As Steve boarded the plane toGermany in the summer of 2009, we both understood thathe would not return home walking and talking fluently. Thebest we could hope for was a small gain: maybe lesstension in his limbs, or two or three more words. Stevetravelled for treatment on a Monday and came home thefollowing Friday. On Saturday morning, he clenched hisright hand and then bent his elbow for the first time in threeyears, a movement most doctors had told him would beimpossible. We both burst into tears. The effects of thetreatment kept coming: his walking improved, he learned acouple of new words and his ability to understand theworld increased greatly.

Encouraged by Steve’s progress, I continued to researchtreatment options. In January 2010, I came across aresearch paper on a drug called L-dopa. Already a well-known treatment for Parkinson’s disease, it was now beingtested for stroke. One of Steve’s doctors agreed to

In the aftermath of herhusband’s catastrophicstoke, DR AVIVA COHENfound comfort inresearching treatmentoptions. Five years later she wants to spread themessage that there isalways hope of recovery

Aviva, Steve and their daughters Ginaand Tanya. Picture courtesy of MartinMaher Photography


13SPOKEOUT

FEATURE

supervise him on a one-month trial of L-dopa. After fivedays, he started walking around the house without hisstick; he had simply forgotten to pick it up! Over time, thelength of Steve’s stride increased and so did hisconfidence. The tightness in his arms and legs loosenedand he even added some new words to his smallvocabulary. Now, in August 2011, he walks at least twomiles a day and has done so for several months.

It is received wisdom that once two years have passedpost-stroke, there is little hope of additional recovery.

Steve has made great gains more than three years after hisstroke. I wanted other people to know that there is alwayshope of recovery, so I launched a website called Research& Hope (www.researchandhope.com) in September 2010.It presents my research so far by detailing 24 treatmentsfor stroke rehabilitation that are not usually found indoctors’ repertoires. I will eventually expand the site toinclude information on recovery options for a wide range ofconditions.

In addition to my work on Research & Hope, I have beenfighting a personal battle to come to terms our new life. Inthe past I adapted to new countries, new careers and newsituations but I was amazed at how hard I found it to adaptto being a family carer. There was nothing to guide methrough the minefield of shaving a man for the first time, orlifting the dead weight of paralysed limbs onto a commode,or trying to interpret the sounds that used to be the elegantwords of an inspiring mind.

Knowing that there must be others who feel they havebeen set adrift in this strange landscape that has becometheir home, I decided to create Carers’ Sanctuarymagazine (www.carerssanctuary.com). As time has passedI have learned and adapted, but talking to other carers,reading their experiences and learning from their storieshas been an immense support to me. In creating themagazine, I wanted to provide an oasis, a sanctuary, wherefamily carers could escape to a world where everyoneunderstands, where we are all living in the same peculiarplace, and where we can reach out and help each other tofeel at home.

One important thing that has helped me adjust to ournew life has been the unexpected kindness and true

altruism of friends, neighbours and strangers. I couldrelate so many examples, but I will share one that sumsup the reason why this country is known around theglobe for its warmth and humanity.

When our eldest daughter, Gina, started first class inprimary school, I told her teacher and a few of the mumswhat was happening. A few days later the doorbell rang:one of the mothers from her school was standing therewith a roster in her hand. The parents and teachers ofGriffeen Valley Educate Together had planned out everyday: they would do the school run, bring Gina back totheir homes, and give her lunch, dinner, warmth andsupport.

It is so easy to give in to despair, and from time to timeI have, but these acts of kindness have always broughtme back into the world. There have been so many trulygood deeds, too many to list here, but each one broughtme closer to the view that I had to give something backand find a way to say “thank you”. This has been part of my motivation for creating theResearch & Hope website and Carers’ Sanctuarymagazine, a desire to share information that could helpothers. In the words of the American film, I would like to“pay it forward”.

MORE ABOUT RESEARCH & HOPE AND CARERS’ SANCTUARY MAGAZINEResearch & Hope offers high quality, unbiased,online information to the general public on unusualbut clinically tested treatments for chronic illnesses,starting with 24 treatments for stroke. Thetreatments range from licensed drugs to stem celltherapy and robotics to aromatherapy. Irish doctorsdo not typically offer these therapies, as they carefor more than 30,000 stroke survivors each year.

You can view the Research & Hope website here:http://researchandhope.com/

Carers’ Sanctuary Magazine is a free, online,quarterly magazine, designed to support familycarers. In each issue, the magazine targets aspecific theme affecting carers through a blend ofinformation, support and humour. It also articles onsupport services, stories and humorous anecdotessent in by readers, and much more. The Octoberissue will include an inspiring interview with CaptainMartin Hewitt who took part in the Walking with theWounded, North Pole Expedition.

You can view Carers’ Sanctuary Magazine here:http://carerssanctuary.com/

“In the past I adapted to newcountries, new careers and newsituations but I was amazed at how hard I found it to adapt to

being a family carer”


15SPOKEOUT

Iwas an only child, born in Clapham Common, London, in1915,” says Maura Roche. “My mother was a teacherand was always mixed up with women’s movements –suffragettes and the like – so I didn’t see a lot of her when

I was growing up. My father was an Irish republican, verydifferent from my mother, but my mother never took anynotice of his republican activities!”

Maura’s parents had met in Paris, where her mother hadbeen working as a teacher and her father as a printer. “Myparents’ marriage was a marriage of love. They married late inlife and my mother was 41 when I was born. I was baptisedMaura Costello Hindenburg Morgan. My father, being an IRAman, insisted on putting the Hindenburg in there, after theGerman General, just to be contrary! The name stayed withme for a few years, until one day my mother had enough andbrought me to Somerset House to get it changed!”

Maura recalls that the republican activities of her father ledto strange comings and goings at the family home. “Iremember detectives coming to our house once in the middleof the night, and then at one stage my father was sent to gaolafter being convicted of carrying arms into Ireland. We lived inan upper middle class area of London and I’m sure theneighbours thought that we were bringing the area down!”

At the age of six, Maura was sent away to a conventboarding school in Surrey. “Looking back, I had a good life.The nuns used to bring us on long country walks, and Iremember being very interested in plants and hoping tobecome a botanist one day. My father used to write to me atschool, and the letters would have lots of Irish in them, which Ididn’t understand a word of!”

After six years in Surrey, Maura moved to an internationalconvent school in Belgium. “They were the most wonderfulyears. There were very few rules and regulations, and certainlyno such thing as standing in line. I remember having to go tothe dentist in Brussels on a few occasions. A nice nun usedto accompany me on the train. After the dentist, we’d go toher friend’s house and have lunch — the sort of lunch that I’dnever experienced before, set out with such care, and with

glasses full of wine. I felt so unsophisticated! Later in the day,we’d go to the shops and art galleries, and to the BonMarché for afternoon tea. By the time we got back to theconvent, everyone was in bed.”

Maura left school at 18, “completely unfit to face the realworld” and started to study for a BA in Languages at KingsCollege London. “It was a happy time in London, going todances in the Strand, hopping on the underground to meetfriends for coffee... I remember my father bought a car and Iwas the only one in the family who could drive it. To see astudent driving into college in those days was quitesomething!”

FEATURE

Girlhood MEMORIES

In the second of our interviews with older members, 96-year-old Maura Roche, who lives in Donadea, Co Kildare, talks to JOANNA MARSDEN about her colourful upbringing as the only daughter of an Irish republican father and English suffragette mother

“


Each summer, Maura travelled to Santander, Spain, whereshe attended an international college to improve her Spanish.“Students from all over the world were studying there. While Iwas there, Federico Garcia Lorca came and gave a lecture. Iremember him being dressed in denim, like a worker. He wastravelling around Spain at the time, bringing a company ofactors with him and reforming the classics. You often heardreports of him, and even at that stage, it was known that hislife was at risk.

“While I was there one summer I fell madly in love with ayoung Spanish man, Jose. In those days, relationships werevery innocent and respectable, and afterwards we kept intouch by post. Jose was opposed to Franco and knew hewas in danger, so when the Republicans lost, he had to goover the border to a camp near Papillion in France. He wasstuck there in the camp, so my mother and I decided we hadto do something. We made the long drive from London toPapillion and, to get him out of the camp, we agreed to bringhim home with us. Nothing ever came of our romance, but hesettled in Oxford and got a job in the BBC!”

When the Second World War brokeout, Maura’s parents sent her to Ireland.“‘I don’t want you serving’, my fathersaid. So off I went, and I ended upspending the most miserable threemonths of my life living with an Irishfamily in Connemara. After that, Imoved to Dublin to stay with somefamily friends on the Naas Road. Wehad relations in Inchicore and it waswhile visiting them one night that I wasintroduced to a young publican calledJackie Roche from Kildare. He courtedme, bringing me to the theatre, for ameal, or things like that. It was asensible way of doing things – not like the way young peopledo it today!”

Maura and Jackie married in August 1940, and went on tohave four children, Selese, Leo, Derry and Paddy. “We livedabove the thatched pub, the Rathcoole Inn, and I was luckythat when the children were young I didn’t have to work in thepub. We had a young man from Roscommon who wasapprenticed to us – a real country boy and very efficient.” Inthe 1950s, Maura and Jackie sold the Rathcoole Inn andbought a pub in Donadea, known to this day as Roche’s.Over the years, Maura became more involved in the runningof the pub, managing it for a period in the 1950s when therecession forced Jackie to leave Ireland in search of work, andtaking over after Jackie’s death in the mid-90s.

Maura reminisces: “Jackie was great company. Everyday ofour married life he brought me tea and toast in bed. Therewere many very happy times, but I sometimes think I was thewrong woman for him. He should have married a firmer wifeand she would have taken control and helped him becomemore successful. I wasn’t sensible or tough enough!

“We were an odd match because Jackie wouldn’t travel,

whereas I believe you have to get experience in life. I had ajob to get Jackie to Kerry or Limerick! I remember one day Isaw an advertisement in the paper for a package holiday toRussia, and I thought, that sounds like a nice idea, so I rangup and booked it for myself. When I saw Jackie, I said, ‘Bythe way I’m going to Russia in a fortnight!’”

Eight years ago, Maura lost one of her sons, Paddy.“Paddy had been born deaf and with Down Syndrome, buthe was the most divine person ever created – a perfectmortal! The doctors wanted me to put him in a home nearGlasnevin but that was the last thing I would have done. Hewas at a great disadvantage because in those days theydidn’t bother teaching deaf people to speak, but eventuallyhe learnt well enough that I could understand him and he wasa great companion to me throughout my life.”

Maura says that the hard thing about living to a good age isthe “terrible loss” you are likely to experience. “I still missPaddy very much, but I know I’m lucky to be healthy and inmy own home, and to have my family around me. The onlything wrong with me is osteoporosis, so I have to use a

wheelchair, but at least I can get up inthe morning and do little things like keepthe plants going and have visitors.

“I do miss being able to travel andvisit art galleries and operas. The firstreal blow came when I had to give updriving five years ago. Having drivensince I was a teenager, it felt like myfreedom was gone. I just hope I cankeep on living in my own home – Iwouldn’t want to go into a nursinghome permanently.”

Maura maintains a keen interest inpolitics, reading The Irish Times everyday, though she says much of what she

reads annoys her greatly. “I often think of what it was likewhen I visited England right after the end of the SecondWorld War. We had rationing in Ireland, but over there theyhad really suffered. The country was on its knees. Yet it waswhen the country was at its lowest that they started the NHS– a proper health service, unlike our health service. Imagine:private specialists having rooms in public hospitals andseeing their patients there! The health service here is a terriblemess and I’m just thankful I don’t have much recourse to it.”

Until recently, Maura pursued her lifelong hobby of painting,and her living room is full of her paintings of the locallandscape. “All my life I have loved painting plants and nature.I often think back on childhood holidays in Frome, Somerset,where we’d walk through the lovely woods. I’m not religious –I believe death is the end – but I do love nature. I have anorchid on my window ledge which originated in SouthAmerica. It has been blooming for several months and it’sdying off now. And I have a spiderwort, which flowers once aday, every day. Today’s flower will be gone tomorrow. It’s apeaceful, gentle process and I take comfort in knowing it is allpart of nature.”

16

“I was baptised MauraCostello HindenburgMorgan. My father,being an IRA man,

insisted on putting theHindenburg in there,

after the GermanGeneral, just to be

contrary!”


20

Simple, easy-to-install and affordable accessories can help makeyour home a relaxing and hassle-free place. KIARA LYNCHsuggests some of her favourites

Home COMFORTS

SMJ REMOTE CONTROL SOCKETThis remote control socket with a remote transmitterswitch saves energy and money when used to turnoff appliances when they are not in use. It’s ideal foruse with appliances where it is difficult to get accessto the socket e.g. the back of a computer station.The remote control is simple to set up and use, has a50 metre range, and there is no wiring required.

Available at €16.99 fromwww.esbstore.ie, 1890 372 111.

EASY PULL PLUG AIDThe Easy PullPlug Aid isdesigned forpeople whohave difficultlyin removingand inserting13 amp plugs.It’s easy toassemble anduse, has asecure and easy-to-grip moulded handle, and fits allstandard 13 amp plug tops. It’s fitted in seconds asthere’s no cutting or rewiring of the lead and no toolsrequired.

Available at approx €35 from a range of suppliers, including: Beechfield Healthcare,Laois (057 868 2304, www.beechfieldhealthcare.ie);Corvette Products (0753 124 9915, www.corvette-products.co.uk).

HOME SAFETY ALERTThe Home Safety Alert is a wireless panic and callingalarm system that has one main receiver and twopendants. The caller can choose between a standardcall signal or panic alarm. Range is 100ft.

Available at approx €73 from a range of suppliers,including: Murray’s Medical Equipment, Dublin (01 855 5733, www.murrays.ie); The MobilityShop.ie,Laois (057 866 6730, www.themobilityshop.ie);Beechfield Healthcare, Laois (057 868 2304,www.beechfieldhealthcare.ie).

PLUG PULLSThis plastic grip attaches to an electric wall plug toprovide the user with a handle for pulling and pushing theplug into the socket. It helps to improve the users grip.The device consists of an open loophandle, which allows the user to geta full grip on the plug. Thebase of the handle has aself-adhesive surface thatcan be attached to anypart of the plug. Thisproduct can also beattached to drawers,doors and cabinets, wherethe user would like to have animproved grip.

Available at €8, and supplied ina pack of three, from BeechfieldHealthcare, Laois (057 868 2304,www.beechfieldhealthcare.ie).


21SPOKEOUT

PRODUCTS

DUO DRAUGHT SHIELDWith this draught excluder, you can keep rooms warm andcosy while helping to reduce your heating bills. The DuoDraught Shield slides easilyunder your door and isdouble sided for double airleak protection. It also moveswith the door, so there’s noneed to move or reposition itonce it’s in place. Made fromexpandable polyurethanefoam, it blocks out cold air,and can also help reducecooking odours and noisefrom creeping into yourroom. The polyester cover ismachine washable.

Available at €5.99, fromJML Direct, United Kingdom(0044 871 221 2677,www.jmldirect.com).

EASI-GRIP SCISSORSDesigned for those with weak hands, these easy-to-grip spring-loaded scissors make cutting abreeze. Lightweight with plastic handles andstainless steel pointed or rounded blades. Suitablefor both left and right handed users.

Available at €14 from Beechfield Healthcare,Laois (057 868 2304, www.beechfieldhealthcare.ie).

MAGIC CARPET JUMBOThis jumbo-size carpet easily soaks up water,moisture, mud and dirt from shoes and boots. The

design not only traps the dirtbut also dries in no time atall. It’s made with absorbentfibres, has a durable backingcover, comes in a range ofcolours, and is 90cm x120cm in size.

Available at €35.19, fromJML Direct, United Kingdom(0044 871 221 2677,www.jmldirect.com).

MULTI FUNCTION LAP DESKThis portable lap table can be used, wherever youare, for writing, reading, eating and computing. The

drinks holder and pen rest keep your items secure andorganised, while the adjustable

light makes reading easier. Ithas a comfortable, cushionedbase, fits a maximum laptopsize of 17” and requires 3 x AAbatteries (not included).

Available at €23.99, from JML Direct, UnitedKingdom (0044 871 221 2677, www.jmldirect.com).

LAP DESK GIVE-AWAYTo be in with a chance of winning one of two lap desks, send your name, address and contact number to Lap DeskCompetition, Spokeout, Irish Wheelchair Association, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf. All entries will be entered in to adraw that will take place on 21st October, 2011.

ONE TOUCH GIVE-AWAY WINNERSVEGETABLE SLICER: Mary Dowling, Co Wicklow; Julieanne Bell, Co Kildare; Cora Ni Ghamhna, Co Wicklow; AnnDevaney, Co Sligo; Josephine B Concannon, Co Galway; Breeda O’Connor, Co Kerry.JAR OPENER: John Evoy, Dublin 6W; Ian Duthie, Dublin 18; Monica Cox, Cork; J Maguire, Dublin.AUTOMATIC CAN OPENER: Mary Dooley, Co Laois; William Cooper, Co Wexford; Patrick O’Dwyer, Limerick;Clodagh O’Connor, Co Louth.

These are just ideas! Spokeout does not endorse any specificproducts or suppliers. We advise readers to shop around and,if appropriate, check with an OT to ensure a product issuitable for an individual’s needs.


22

Katie Bourke is a busy young woman. Each timewe spoke she was either rushing from or toanother meeting in her efforts to get her newbusiness up and running, and when she does

find herself not at a meeting she is tinkering with her newwebsite or doing things she “has no doubt her doctorswould disapprove of”.

Born in the early 80s in Adelaide, Australia, Katie’sparents moved back to their home town of Christchurch,New Zealand, soon after Katie was born. Katie had a welltravelled childhood, spending time in such exotic locationssuch as Zimbabwe and Iraq due to her parents’ medicalprofessions. In 1993 the family decided on a change ofpace and moved to Roosky, Co Roscommon, to run a pubon the banks of the Shannon. This was where Katie spentmuch of her teenage years. However the travel bug wasalways there and Katie returned to Christchurch at 16 tofinish her secondary education and subsequently studiedat Canterbury University.

It was during her university studies, at the age of 18, thatKatie began to notice things were not quite right. Sheexplains: “It started when I was waitressing one night and,randomly and without force, my knee dislocated and Idropped a tray of food on some very startled customers!The second knee went a week later during an earthquakeand so on and so forth.” She quips with characteristicblack humour that, “Within two years I was a humanpretzel.”

She was diagnosed with Benign Hypermobile JointSyndrome. Her condition continued to deteriorate but Katiesays, “I did everything to ignore the fact I was gettingworse.” Her diagnosis later changed to Ehlers Danlos Type3. “It was discovered that I was a 9/9 on the BeightonScale, a measurement used to determine severity ofhypermobility.” She explains, “Eventually my knees beganto dislocate so frequently they would not hold together longenough for me to walk any significant distance unaided.”Using crutches proved very difficult as they “simply mademy shoulders dislocate more” so Katie – “much to mydisgust” – was left with little option but to use a wheelchair.

She is very quick to point out a couple things at thispoint. That her disability is the “least interesting thing abouther” and that her view of the wheelchair has changed. “It issimply a method of transport. With the right set of tools,like a wheelchair, modified car or home, there is nothingthat can’t be done!”

Once this very traumatic period of her life was over Katiewasn’t about to make things easier for herself. Nearly sixyears ago Katie moved back to Ireland, this time to Sligo.When Katie eventually found herself using the wheelchair

Finding SOLUTIONS

After experiencing thefrustration of job-hunting as awheelchair user in the currenteconomic climate, Katie Bourke

tells GARY ALLEN how she decided to take her future into her own hands andfounded her own company to advise other companies on access issues


23SPOKEOUT

CAREERS & EDUCATION

full-time, finding accessible accommodation becamea challenge, and before Katie moved into her currentrented house she spent two years living in a nursinghome. It says a lot about her pragmatic characterthat this was her decision along with a friend whowas also recently disabled. She describes thosecouple of years as “great craic!”. As foremployment, she says, “I will admit that having torepay the good old New Zealand student loan wasa great motivator at the time. I worked as thePersonal Assistant to the CEO of an InternationalCollege. I loved working at the college and it keptme very, very busy. I worked there for nearly threeyears until 2009. Following on from that, I likemany other unemployed people traipsed dutifullyto job interviews in the hopes of employment. Itwas at this stage I think I finally realised I wasdisabled. Interviews, if I could get in the building,ranged from humiliating to downright laughable.When I was asked how much team sport I playedand could I make tea, I gave up!”

So starts the “insanity of self-employment” asKatie herself says. Her latest project is a newcompany called ‘Adaptable Solutions’. She saysher aim with her new company is “to take themystery out of Universal Design, allowingbusinesses to serve all their customers, nomatter the age or ability”. She says that atpresent information in relation to universal design

and accessibility in general is too hard to come by, and heraim would be to provide a “one stop shop” for companieswho would like to provide an accessible environment forboth employees and customers alike.

When asked what she thinks of accessibility in Irelandcompared to other countries she has experience of, Katiesays that it is too easy in this country for the age of abuilding to be used as an excuse to either provide nodisabled access or to provide access through separateentrances which is a real ‘bugbear’ for her. She also

highlights the ridiculousness of some of the rules we havehere using a personal example. She currently cannot getan NCT done on her car because she has the air bag inher car disabled in case it would explode and cause herserious injury. She says, with an air of incredulity, that whenshe explained the situation to the Road Safety Authoritythey advised her to connect the Air Bag, get the NCT doneand disconnect it again!

Talking to Katie Bourke one gets the impression that sherelishes the challenge of changing these rules or at thevery least gathering the knowledge and expertise to guidepeople in the right direction. There is definitely a wise headon the shoulders of this young woman and a determinationthat is very admirable in an economic climate such as weare in. It’s hard to see anything that would stop herachieving her goals. Although she has been through a lot Ithink this is just the start for Katie Bourke.

For more information visit:http://www.adaptablesolutions.ie/

“I like many other unemployedpeople traipsed dutifully to job

interviews in the hopes ofemployment. It was

at this stage I think I finallyrealised I was disabled.”


25SPOKEOUT

EDUCATION & CAREERS

Making decisions about the future, andexploring educational opportunities, can be astressful process. The Better Options CollegeFair, a one-day information event for students

with disabilities which takes place in the National College ofArt and Design (NCAD) on 30th November, aims to providestudents with disabilities with everything they need to knowabout higher and further education options. “Whether youare seeking general information, guidance, or specificdetails of supports available at various institutions, theBetter Options event is an ideal starting point,” says MaryQuirke, Assistant Director of AHEAD (The Association forHigher Education Access and Disability), which organisesthe event. “Gathered under one roof, students will findinformation stands from the major universities andInstitutes of Technology, as well as a programme ofinspirational speakers, including Dragon’s Den entrepreneurand presidential candidate Sean Gallagher.”

Visitors to the event will have an opportunity to find outabout college life from other students and graduates withdisabilities, and can learn more about the ‘Disability AccessRoute to Education (DARE)’ programme, including how tocomplete the CAO Supplementary Forms as part of theDARE process.

According to Mary Quirke, “Students with disabilities, liketheir peers, can be overwhelmed by the pressure to makedecisions about their future, and not know where to begin.The objective of the event is to help people through thisprocess and hopefully also open their eyes to opportunitiesthey may not have considered before. We want people toleave thinking ‘Maybe I could consider doing that.’”

For further information, contact Lorraine Gallagher atAHEAD. Tel: 01 716 4396 Email: [email protected] Better Options venue is fully wheelchair accessible andcan be reached by bus, or a short taxi ride from HustonStation or Dublin City Centre.

BETTER OPTIONSThe Better Options College Fair, run by AHEAD each autumn, is anunmissable event for students with disabilities who want to explore theirhigher and further education options

WHAT VISITORS SAID ABOUT LAST YEAR’S BETTER OPTIONS COLLEGE FAIR“I found the Better Options event to be veryinformative and the presentations were excellent. Asthe Student Support Worker in St Joseph’s Centre forthe Visually Impaired it was particularly relevant”.Claire Skerritt, Student Support Worker

“All of my students with a disability have now tickedthe DARE box. One of those students had previouslybeen adamant that they did not want to disclose, didnot want any support and did not want to be treatedany differently than anyone else. They may evenaccept examination support for the Leaving Cert nowwhich they had previously declined. I think studentsare starting to realise that there are a lot morestudents with disabilities among them than theythought, and they are starting to look at their supportsas a right and a legitimate entitlement and not as‘special treatment’. They used to fear that collegeswould think less of their ability and potential becauseof them disclosing their disability. Hearing the collegeand student speakers at Better Options helped toallay those fears, so thank you!”Elaine O’Leary, Career Guidance Counsellor(Longford)

“The AHEAD Better Options fair is a great opportunityto gain a greater understanding of what third leveleducation can offer you. You have the chance to meetother students who have been through the process,and this really helped to put me at ease. It’s also agreat opportunity for you to meet the support staff inyour prospective college. This event is something thatI’d recommend every student attends before filling outtheir CAO form”.Ger Gallagher, StudentLast year’s Better

Options college fair


26

“Cuisle is totally person-centred and that is what I loveabout it,” says Geraldine Coyne, Duty Manager at CuisleHoliday Centre. “I’ve been at Cuisle for over 11 years nowand, hand on heart, it’s not like work at all. I continuallymeet such wonderful people from all around the country,and many of them come back year after year.”

Originally from Donegal, Geraldine has been living inBallygar, Galway, (12 miles from Cuisle) for over 30 years. “Iremember when I saw the job advertised it appealed to meright away. My children were finishing school and it felt likethe right time to get involved in something new. I’d workedas an accounts clerk when I was younger, but I had aninterest in disability because two of my best friends hadchildren with disabilities, and I’d also spent several yearscaring for a family member with a disability.”

Geraldine began working in a general role at Cuisle, butas the centre expanded, her role developed into that of‘Duty Manager’. “I do all sorts of jobs, from drying dishesor serving meals to answering the phone, picking guestsup, promoting Cuisle at exhibitions, serving in the bar, ordoing Karaoke with guests.

“On a typical day, I start at 8am. First, I talk to the nightstaff to ensure that everything is okay and there have beenno issues overnight. Then I check in with the kitchen staff,just to make sure everyone is in and the meal preparationfor the day is under way. Then I check that there is acorrect float in the bar and put on some freshly brewedcoffee, so the lovely smell will waft around the building.”

Geraldine adds: “It’s really important to create a niceatmosphere for guests. It’s my job to think of everythingwhile appearing calm and in control at all times! When Icome into Cuisle in the morning, I leave my problems atthe gate. I really do believe it’s a holiday environment. Andall the other staff here are the same. Together we want tomake sure guests get a first class personal service – thekind you wouldn’t even get in a top hotel.”

Geraldine believes guests appreciate the individualattention they receive at Cuisle. “The personal touch goesa long way. For example, I make a point of getting to knowthe names of all the guests, and if they are happy for me todo so, I like to call everyone by their Christian name.”

Since Geraldine started in 2000, she has seen majorimprovements at Cuisle. “Today all our rooms are en suiteand we have so many additional facilities. There is a gymand leisure suite, a sauna, a Jacuzzi, a hairdressing salon,

an aromatherapy room, as well as up-to-date conferencefacilities and wireless internet. The replacement of the1970s flat roof with a hipped roof also greatly enhanced thelook and feel of the place.

“We really have to promote all our facilities as well as theamenities that are on our doorstep,” says Geraldine. “We’resituated in the grounds of a castle, in a very leafy andtranquil setting, and we have such amazing fishing facilitiesaround us – 31 accessible fishing bays in total.”

The increasing competition in the tourist trade issomething Geraldine and her colleagues are keenly awareof. “When people think of holidaying in Ireland, they have awide choice, often at very good value for money. This is oneof the challenges we face. We’re aware that people havehigh expectations when they go on holiday – and rightly so– and we are working all the time to improve our services,so that we can compete with the very best hotels.

“There are still some members who haven’t been toCuisle,” adds Geraldine, “I’d really encourage them to comealong and give it a try. It’s ideal if you want to relax in afriendly environment and make new friends. And we’ll doeverything we can to make your stay hassle-free, includingpicking you up at the station if you decide to travel by busor train.”

Cuisle has many regular guests, to whom Geraldine looks

A DAY IN THE LIFE...Geraldine Coyne, Duty Manager at Cuisle Holiday Centre, tellsJOANNA MARSDEN about life behind the scenes at Cuisle, and whyshe enjoys working in a relaxed holiday atmosphere

Geraldine at Cuisle


27SPOKEOUT

EDUCATION & CAREERS

forward to seeing. “At this stage I definitely consider manyof the regulars to be friends, and I do look forward tocatching up with them. And it’s not just Irish people. Wehave a good few regulars from the UK as well as a group ofDutch fishermen who come back again and again. Thewarmth and friendliness is a lovely aspect of the workhere.”

Geraldine admits that working on her feet all day, oftenfor long shifts, can be tiring. “I do be wrecked when I gohome in the evening, but I wouldn’t describe it as acomplaint. The job satisfaction I get from being part of ateam that has provided thousands of people with holidaysthat they’ll always remember – and for all the right reasons – well, that makes every bit of effort worthwhile.”Indeed, Geraldine believes the relaxed holiday way of liferubs off on staff, and this is perhaps why she has workedthere for over a decade without having taken a sick day.

In recent years, Cuisle has opened through theChristmas period, but even having to work on ChristmasDay isn’t enough to draw a word of complaint. “Some ofour regular guests didn’t have a place to go at Christmas,so I was strongly in favour of us opening. I could really see the need. Yes it can be a bit tough with your ownfamily, but you learn to work around it. Some sacrifices are

worth it when you feel that people are looking forward to itall year. And Christmas at Cuisle is always great craic! Last year, it was so disappointing when we had to close atChristmas due to the terrible weather. We are determinedto stay open this year – we’ve already started gathering the Christmas presents for guests! And, we’re planning afull entertainment programme from the 23rd-27th – the kind you wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

During her time at Cuisle, Geraldine has taken theopportunity to up-skill by undertaking a FETAC course insupervision and management, as well as a full ECDL. While these qualifications have boosted her confidence,Geraldine says she is more than happy in her current role.“The staff here are fantastic and Jean Coleman is a greatmanager. It’s good to have someone heading up the team,pushing us to achieve our goals, but personally I’d prefer to be out there with people. I couldn’t be happierthan I am in my current job – I get a great feeling ofsatisfaction when guests leave here happy and relaxed.”

To contact Geraldine, or any of the staff at Cuisle Holiday Centre, tel: 0906 662 277 or email: [email protected]. Further information on the range of holidays and shortbreaks available at Cuisle is also available at www.cuisle.ie

’ Geraldine with guests Damien Woods (left) and Paul Kelly


29SPOKEOUT

NEWS

Arecent investigation into the refusal of MobilityAllowance to people over 66 years of age by theOmbudsman, Emily O’Reilly, has challenged thelegality of the current system. When investigating

the complaint against the Department of Health, theOmbudsman found that the Department failed to amendthe terms of the Mobility Allowance Scheme even though itwas not compliant with Equal Status legislation enacted in2000. The Ombudsman also found that the MobilityAllowance Scheme, as currently constituted under aDepartmental circular, is in breach of the Equal Status Act2000 because it includes an upper age limit. TheOmbudsman noted that, despite having had the defectswith the scheme highlighted by a number of bodiesincluding the Equality Authority, the Department had notacted with any sense of urgency to bring the Scheme intocompliance with the Equal Status Act.

The investigation was carried following a complaint to theOmbudsman made in September 2008 by Mr Browne,who lives in Roscommon, on behalf of his sister. MsBrowne had applied for the Allowance in June 2008, whenshe was over 80 years of age, and had been refused onthe basis that she was over 66 years of age and, as a first-time applicant, was outside the scope of the Scheme. Thisdecision was upheld following an appeal in August 2008.Sadly, Ms Browne died in October 2010 before thecompletion of the Ombudsman’s investigation. Despitethis, her brother asked that the investigation be completedin recognition of the needs of people like his sister.

Mobility Allowance is paid, subject to a means test, topeople who have a disability and are unable to walk or usepublic transport and who would “benefit from a change insurroundings”. It is intended to allow people who are notcar-owners to make private transport arrangements, forexample to travel by taxi from time to time. Although first-time applicants must be under 66 years of age, peoplealready receiving the Allowance continue to be paid aftertheir 66th birthday provided they are otherwise entitled.

In her report the Ombudsman recommended that withinsix months the Department of Health should complete areview of the Mobility Allowance Scheme and, arising fromthat review, revise the Scheme so as to render it compliantwith the Equal Status Act 2000.

The Department accepted the Ombudsman’s findingsand recommendations. However, the Department’sSecretary General stated that, following a recent review ofthe terms of the scheme, “particularly the upper age limit

and the definition of disability”, the Department hadconcluded that it could not continue to operate on thecurrent basis. He said that it had been decided not to lookat the upper age limit in isolation, and instead to look at theScheme in its entirety. He told the Ombudsman that certainoptions in relation to the future of Mobility Allowance hadbeen considered by the Minister and the Government butthat final policy decisions had not yet been taken.

IWA Regional Director Michael Doyle said that while hewas pleased at the findings of the Ombudsman’s report,IWA would be keeping a close eye on possible revisions tothe scheme. “The issue in relation to the age cut-off pointfor new applications for Mobility Allowance has been raisedby many IWA members at IWA Annual Conferences overthe years. We are glad to see the inequality of the currentschemes acknowledged in this way, but we hope that theDepartment will revise the scheme in a positive manner,addressing this inequality without compromising thebenefits of this important scheme for all recipients.”

For further details on the Ombudsman’s report, visit:www.iwa/advocay

Too old to be equal?Mobility Allowance age cut-off deemedillegal by Ombudsman’s investigation


31SPOKEOUT

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When my big sister Caitriona asked me to beone of her bridesmaids, I thought it would bequite undemanding, but as chief bridesmaidone of my tasks was to organise the hen

weekend! I took notes as Caitriona reeled off herrequirements, and got to work organising our girlyweekend.

After some research and discussion with my fellowbridesmaids, I had a plan! We’d stay in Galway City, go fora spa day, and have our pick of yummy Galway restaurantsto eat out in – perfect! We planned to stay at the RadissonBlu Hotel for two nights, the city centre location meant thehotel would be a five-minute push from the train stationand a ten-minute push to Eyre Square without having theexpense or hassle of taxis.

On Friday afternoon we got the Dublin to Galway trainand checked into our hotel room. My wheelchairaccessible room was well laid out with a king-sized bedand plenty of space to move around. The en suite lacked araised disabled toilet and instead had a regular one withsome badly placed grab rails. However, the roll-in showerhad well placed grab rails and a permanent shower seat.There was a top notch disabled bathroom close to the barand restaurant where we spent the most time, so Igenerally used that one instead. After check-in, we all metup in the hotel restaurant for a long chat-filled dinner. Asthe night wound down in the hotel bar everyone waslooking forward to a fun weekend.

The Spirit One Spa, where we spent Saturday beingpampered with massages, facials, and milk baths, was so

relaxing. I’ll admit when I first booked I was dubious abouthow many of the activities in the Spa I would be able toavail of, but I was pleasantly surprised on the day. I madeuse of the thermal suite (five different sauna rooms), givingeach one a try. I would have stayed longer but as theoption of a shower chair was not available, the smell of mysweat soaking into my chair was not making me popularso I eventually decided to doze and read my book on aheated lounger. After an hour we went for our facials andmassages then chilled out with a cup of herbal tea onluxurious couches gushing about how refreshed ourtreatments had left us feeling!

After our day of indulgence we went to the wheelchairaccessible Milano’s restaurant, where we enjoyed a tastydinner of pizza, pasta, chilled wine, and delicious calorie-packed desserts! The craic and chat were flowingas we left Milano’s and well into the night. And then, afterthat, well what happens on the hen stays on the hen, so Ican only say we all had an enjoyable girly weekend, andhopefully gave my sister some fond memories!

USEFUL CONTACTS• Irish Rail Web: www.irishrail.ie• The Radisson Blu Hotel

Web: www.radissonhotelgalway.com Tel: 091 538 300

• Spirit One Spa Web: www.radissonhotelgalway.com/spiritone-spa Tel: 091 538 300

• Milano’s Galway Web: www.milano.ie Tel: 091 568 488

GIRLYWEEKEND

As chief bridesmaid – andofficial hen-party co-ordinator – for her sister Caitriona, KIARA LYNCH set about

organising a girly weekend to remember

Kiara (left) and Catrionaat Milano’s in Galway


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Kilronan Castle EstateBallyfarnonCo RoscommonTel: 071 961 8000www.kilronancastle.ie

One of Ireland’s most luxurious castlehotels, Kilronan Castle is set on theshores of Lough Meelagh surroundedby over 40 acres of breathtakingscenery. The entrance has rampedaccess and designated parking closeby. Located over three floors there arefour wheelchair accessible bedrooms,classically furnished with everymodern facility and room for a hoist.The en suite wet rooms are veryspacious with grab rails and a fixedshower seat. The Douglas HydeRestaurant offers an elegant, fine-dining experience. TraditionalAfternoon Tea is served in TheDrawing Room with its feature baywindow overlooking the lake. Situatedjust a 45-minute drive from Sligo andan hour from Knock InternationalAirport, Kilronan Castle is the idealbase from which to explore themagical region of the west coast.

Carlton Hotel Galway CityDublin RoadGalway CityTel: 091 381 200www.carltonhotelgalwaycity.com

The Carlton Hotel Galway City islocated just a five minute drive fromthe city centre, making it an idealdestination for a short break. GalwayCity offers great shopping, plenty tosee and do, and a vibrant nightlife.The hotel has level access withdesignated parking adjacent. Thereare six wheelchair accessiblebedrooms located over four floors withlift access. The bedrooms arespacious, bright and contemporary indesign. The en suites are wet roomswith adequate grab rails and a showerchair. By prior arrangement the hotelwill facilitate guests in need of a hoist.Reuben’s Restaurant serves abreakfast buffet and in the eveningoffers contemporary food from itstable d’hote and a la carte menus,whereas Bar Solo offers livelyentertainment most weekends andserves food daily till 9pm.

Tullamore Court HotelTullamoreCo OffalyTel: 057 934 6666www.tullamorecourthotel.ie

The Tullamore Court Hotel is centrallylocated in the heart of Ireland, 90minutes from Dublin, Galway andLimerick, within two hours from mostother parts of Ireland, and just fiveminutes to the busy town ofTullamore. There are designatedparking spaces at the entrance to thehotel which has level access. Locatedon the first and second floors there aretwo wheelchair accessible bedroomseach with an interconnectingbedroom. The rooms are spaciousand can accommodate a hoist. Theen suites are wet rooms with a showerchair and adequate grab rails. TheWindmill Restaurant offers fine diningwith local produce and exotic delights,whilst the lounge bar has a morecasual atmosphere with food serveddaily and entertainment at theweekend. The hotel is built around acourtyard where guests can relax.

Holidaying AT HOMEMake the most of the last of the warm(ish!) weather andlonger days with a trip to one of these inspiring accessiblehotels, selected by COLETTE MOLLOY in IWA’sInformation Department

Need to hire a hoist? In the east, contact JS Dobbs, Baldoyle, Dublin 13. Tel: 01 839 1071 or visit: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

at email: [email protected]


34

The Silence of the Lambs, Independence Day, TheLast Three Days, (Batman) The Dark Knight Rises –all these movies have one thing in common; theywere filmed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

While the city may not have the high profile of New York,Boston and San Francisco, it should not be overlooked whenplanning a holiday to America.

This amazingly clean city has the reputation of being thecentre for steel production. But the hazy days of extensivesteel manufacturing with dirty smoke billowing from tallredbrick chimneys masking the views of the downtown areaare long gone.

Pittsburgh’s main focus today is robotics, green energyand medical technology. It also proudly boasts many world‘firsts’ – including the first commercial radio station andpublic service television in the USA, along with the inventionof the Big Mac and the Ferris Wheel. It was also thebirthplace of Pop Culture and artist Andy Warhol.

Pittsburgh is situated in the County of Allegheny. The hills,valleys and greenery of Pittsburgh often resemble County

Wicklow. If you have a little difficulty walking as I do, then youwill certainly feel every incline and decent on the heels, toes,knees and hips. To get through the pains and aches, I toldmyself it would help burn up the calories I had piled on atbreakfast when I had devoured a stack of pancakes stuffedwith banana.

We were often surprised at what popped out from thedense greenery. One day a possum darted across our path.Many squirrels run-hop-skip and jump around the trees, deercalmly graze off the side of roads and chipmunks scurryabout the place, but not a word or song came from theirmouths! We passed two wild turkeys strolling through thehotel car park. They were lucky we were not there forThanksgiving or Christmas!

For the best view of Pittsburgh, we climbed aboard one ofthe old red wooden cable cars. They are pulled up the steep794ft track on Mount Washington at six miles per hour. Likethe majority of buildings and attractions in America, they arewheelchair accessible. This beautiful little cable car wasoriginally created in 1877 and takes you 400ft above for a

AND FRIENDLY PEOPLEFLYING HOTDOGS

In 1992 DAVE THOMAS travelled to Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania as part of aunique training programme for people with disabilities. Nineteen years later, Dave returned with his partner to the city that has a very special place in his heart

Dave Thomas with Downtown Pittsburgh in the backgroundPhoto: Dave Thomas


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breathtaking panoramic view of the city. From the viewingplatform your eyes are drawn to spectacular skyscrapers thathuddle together on the triangular-shaped land that is theDowntown area.

The unique feature of Downtown is that it has three riversflowing around it – the Allegheny on the Northside, theMonongahela on the South, and both meeting at the apex ofthe downtown triangle (called Point Park) creating the OhioRiver. Pittsburgh is the largest inland port in the US, providingaccess to the nation's 9,000 mile inland waterway system.Allegheny County has more than 1,700 bridges and 720 arewithin the Pittsburgh city limits.

At this height you have a clear view of many bridges, theHeinz Stadium, and PNC Park, (where I saw my first baseballgame), I could also see the wonderful Carnegie ScienceCenter with a real Cold War Submarine moored beside it.

On this trip, I managed to visit two of these attractions. Thebaseball game was fun. While my Pittsburgh friendsattempted to explain the rules of the game, I struggled tokeep up, as sports would not be my forte. Cheering the localPittsburgh Pirates as they battled (but lost) the game kept myinterest even though there were so many breaks allowing thetelevision stations to show commercials. While viewers watchthe ads, we were witness to a fun gimmick designed to keepthe audience on their toes. Staff at the stadium walk aroundthe pitch with what looks like a small cannon and shoothotdogs into the excited audience. A foiled-wrapped hotdoggets propelled from this machine, over the heads ofscreaming men, women, children and the odd hungry Irishtourist (me),all hoping that the delicious snack will land in ourhands or on our heads or even close by. Everyone inproximity to the landing ‘dog dives over rows of seats,scrambling to get the snack, as if their life depended on it!Purchasing a hotdog in the food court just doesn’t have thesame excitement!

Later the hotdogs are replaced with t-shirts, all adding tothe excitement of being at an American Baseball game.Brilliant!

A visit to the Carnegie Science Museum was just asrewarding. This totally wheelchair accessible buildingconsists of four floors of interactive fun with all sorts ofscience gadgets. Hundreds of interactive machines teachyou in a fun way about health, science and biology. The

building includes the world's largest permanent roboticsexhibit, a coral reef aquarium, a miniature railroad & villageand the Buhl Digital Planetarium. We decided to see a movieon the biggest screen in Pittsburgh and the largest one I eversaw! The screen is built into a dome that completelysurrounds you.

On a very hot day, we decided to visit the Pittsburgh Zoo.While I am not a fan of ‘caged animals’, I have to admit it istruly amazing to get close to lions, tigers and bears, oh my –even Dorothy would be in awe of the 2,000 plus animalsbeing cared for in this zoo.

Pittsburgh has an enormous selection of eateries, cateringfor all tastes. I was drawn to The Strip District, an area filledwith little cafes, coffee houses, bookstores and market-styleshops with stalls outside.

Nineteen years after my first visit, I returned to Pittsburghwondering if my memories of this city were now seenthrough rose tinted glasses. Thankfully they were not. Whilethe city has changed over the years, it is all for the better.There are so many things to do and see.

You will be astonished at the beauty of the city, the ethnicdiversity of its people, its rich culture and history and thefriendliness of the ‘Pittsburghers’. The city has something tooffer people of all ages, and caters well for visiting touristswith disabilities… give it a try, you will be happy you did!

INFORMATION

If you are planning a trip to this wonderful city, checkout these excellent sites on Pittsburgh.

www.visitpittsburgh.com This great site has a tabon the left for ‘Accessibility Guide’ and is filled witheverything you need to know about Pittsburgh.

www.pittsburgh.net Another good site forinformation, with a ‘Physically Challenged’ link thatprovides a lot of information for people withdisabilities.

www.portauthority.org On this site, go to the‘Customer Information’ tab at the top, and click theword ‘ACCESS’ on the drop-down menu. This givesyou information about ‘ACCESS’, a door-to-door,advance reservation, shared ride transportationprovided throughout Allegheny County that servesprimarily senior citizens and persons withdisabilities.’

www.warhol.org This is the site of the AndyWarhol Gallery/Museum. If you love art, then you willlove this place. It’s wheelchair accessible.

www.carnegiesciencecenter.org An interactivescience centre with real family fun.

www.pittsburghzoo.com The zoo can be a greatplace to see exotic animals up close and personal!

All these sites give you photos, video andinformation on visiting Pittsburgh, PA

The baseball game in action


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Over the past year South Dublin County Councilhas undertaken a significant programme ofaccess works to facilitate the needs of visitorswith disabilities at the Camac Valley Caravan and

Camping Park close to Clondalkin in West Dublin.Speaking at the official opening of the new facilities in July,Selina Bonnie, Disability Liaison/Access Officer with SouthDublin County Council, said, “The overall aim of the projectwas to create a facility that disabled tourists could visit andenjoy in complete independence.”

Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park is Ireland’s firstmunicipal tourist caravan and camping park. The facilityopened in 1996 and occupies 15 acres in the southwestern area of Corkagh Park, on the Green Isle Link Roadoff the Naas Road Dual Carriageway (N7). In the past fiveyears, over 85,000 visitors from 40 different countrieshave stayed at the park.

The park is located in a quiet setting on the edge ofClondalkin, a convenient location for visitors to Dublin Cityand the wider country. General facilities on site include: 113caravan parking bays and approximately 50 pitches fortents, all serviced with mains water and electricity; a touringbus area; chemical toilet disposal points; toilets andshowers both in the main building and in the purpose-builtshower block; campers’ kitchenette and laundry room;playground, putting green and volleyball court.

In addition to the general facilities, visitors with disabilitiescan now enjoy improved accessibility, including: enhancedramped access to the main building and shower block;accessible campers’ kitchenette; induction hearing loop inreception; accessible reception desk; Braille and tactileway-finding signage; accessible chemical toilet disposalpoint; and seven accessible toilets and six accessible level-entry showers.

During 2010 access works were also carried out in theadjoining Corkagh Park, providing for improved access tothe playground, visitors’ centre, fishery and pet farm.

After the launch, caravan enthusiast Cathal McDonaghspent a night at the park with his adapted campervan. “Iwas very impressed with the facilities. As a wheelchair user,

I can tell you from my personal experience this is the mostaccessible park in Ireland! I really felt spoilt! I hope othercaravan parks will follow South Dublin County Council’sexample and make their facilities accessible too.”

Selina Bonnie adds, “Camac Valley is an excellentexample of tourism for all, and universal access, in closeproximity to a variety of leisure, retail, and tourist amenities,offering disabled tourists a quality experience. We hopeIWA members will consider visiting, and also recommendthe facility to friends travelling here from abroad.”

The facility has been shortlisted for an award in theChambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards2011 (in the Outstanding Customer Service category) dueto the programme of access works. The works werefunded by the National Disability Strategy and Fáilte Ireland.

For further information, go to www.camacvalley.com, orto arrange a visit, contact Camac Valley on tel: 01 4640644 / email: [email protected]

For general information on accessibility initiatives inSouth Dublin County, visit http://accessible.southdublin.ieor contact Selina Bonnie on tel: 01 414 9041 / email:[email protected] / Skype id: selina.bonnie

ACCESSIBLE CAMPINGAND CARAVANNING IN DUBLIN

South Dublin County Council recently completed an extensive programme of access works at Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park in west Dublin. JOANNA MARSDEN reports

Brian Begley (Park Manager) with Cathal McDonagh and other visitors in the receptionarea of Camac Valley Caravan and Camping Park


39SPOKEOUT

ACCESS

For most people trips to the supermarket, especiallyto buy staples like toilet paper, laundry detergent orpet food, are not much fun. Carting bulky itemsaround the shop and then getting them home can

be a real chore, particularly for those with limited mobility, soonline grocery shopping – delivered right to your front door(or even your fridge door!) – has obvious appeal.

“I do nearly all my food shopping online,” says IWAmember Bill Byrne, who lives in Ratoath, Co Meath, andorders from Tesco Online. “I tend to do two big shops eachmonth, and I’ve been using the service for about a year now.To be honest I can’t find any drawbacks. You simply shoponline, pick a suitable two-hour delivery slot, and then thedelivery guy comes along, unpacks it and takes away thecrates.”

Amy Kelly, who lives in IWA’s Independent Living Units inClontarf, recently started using the delivery service at herlocal SuperValu in Killester. “My PA assists me in doing theordering online, so I find it very convenient. The groceriesactually come straight from my local store in Killester, and thedelivery guys are really good.”

Mark Clancy from Lucan is another regular online shopper.“I don’t mind going to the shop if it’s just to buy a few small items that fit in my lap, but for anything more than that I prefer to do it online. Shopping baskets are just too awkward and trolleys tend to have a mind of their own! I’ve used various online delivery services over the years, but my main provideris Superquinn. I find the food they deliver is always very fresh so you don’t have to worry about sell-bydates.”

In an era where money is tight, Bill Byrne says he has noticed another benefit of online grocery shopping. “Ifind I do a lot less impulse buying. Instead of being temptedby loads of bits and pieces I don’t need, I focus on theessentials. It makes it easier to control your food budget.”

To find out whether a supermarket delivers in your area,just visit their website and enter your address in the locationchecker.

WWW.TESCO.IE Tesco covers most parts of the country and delivers sevendays a week and up to 11pm weeknights in two-hourdelivery windows. You can make changes to your order untilmidnight the night before your delivery is due, so if you’veforgotten anything it needn’t be a problem. Tesco is offeringIWA members €10 off your first shop when you spend €60 ormore, and they offer a no quibble refund – when the deliveryarrives if there’s anything you don’t want, just hand it back toyour delivery driver for a full refund.

WWW.SUPERQUINN.IESuperquinn delivers to all parts of Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterfordand Limerick, and to parts of Wicklow and Kildare. There isnormally a delivery charge of up to €8.00, but in response toa request from IWA member Mark Clancy Superquinn hasintroduced a free delivery service for members. To avail offree delivery, simply visit www.superquinn.ie, place your orderand enter the IWA discount code in the promotional couponssection at the online checkout. The free delivery code isSQIWA. Members are asked to register for use of thediscount code by emailing [email protected] with their emailaddress.

WWW. SUPERVALU.IESupervalu recently launched its home delivery service, whichthey describe as ‘direct from your local store’. Their website,www.supervalu.ie/shopping, lists delivery locations andoutlines the online shopping process in four simple steps.

DELIVERED TOYOUR DOOR

Many of the big supermarkets are now offering online ordering and home delivery. JOANNA MARSDENfinds out what’s on offer and talks to some regular users of the service


41SPOKEOUT

CLOS-O-MAT PALMA ‘WASH AND DRY’ TOILETStatistics show we go to the toilet on average eight times

a day, so requiring assistance with toileting can have a huge impact on a person’sindependence. The Clos-o-Mat Palma ‘wash anddry’ toilet, manufactured by Total Hygiene and

retailed in Ireland through MMS, aims torestore users’ ability to toilet with little or nohelp. The Clos-o-Mat looks like aconventional WC, and can be used as one,

but by retaining hand or body pressure on theflush pads the toilet can also douche and drythe user. The Clos-o-Mat is installed at IWA’s

Carmel Fallon Respite Centre and the National RehabilitationHospital.

For further details contact MMS Medical on tel 021 4618000 or email [email protected].

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLEBATHROOM PODBathrooms of Tomorrow has recently developed awheelchair accessible bathroompod which can be used insituations where installing aconventional accessible bathroommay not be feasible. The podscan be manufactured to suit anyroom in your home whether it’s a

bedroom or living area. The pods are easy to assemble free-standing units.

For further details contact Bathrooms of Tomorrow on tel:01 296 23230 or email: [email protected]

LIGHTWEIGHT RECLINING BATH LIFT With a backrest that reclines at thetouch of a button, the Aquila BathLift is suited to users whosespecific conditions may benefitfrom opening the seat-to-backangle. The Aquila offers an array ofaccessories making it flexible for

use by children and in a variety of bath styles. Featuresinclude increased shoulder, neck and/or head support; acompact design which optimises legroom; generous spacefor transfers on and off lift; and a low seat height whichprovides good immersion. It is simple to clean and easilyoperated by users with limited dexterity.


THE MOUNTWAY SOLO TOILET LIFTThe Mountway Solo Toilet Lift mimics anatural standing movement, gentlylowering and raising the user on and offthe toilet at the touch of a button. Withminimum installation, the toilet lift can beplaced over an existing toilet. When in itsdown position, the lift functions as anormal toilet seat and can be used by anymember of the household. Whentoileting independently is still not possible, the toilet lift canhelp reduce the risks of manual handling related injuries byminimising the lifting and weight associated with manualtoilet transfer.


LIVING

These are just ideas! Spokeout does not endorse anyspecific products or suppliers. We advise readers to shoparound and, if appropriate, check with an OT to ensure aproduct is suitable for an individual’s needs.

Accessible bathrooms MADE EASYNew products are making it simpler toachieve a functional accessible bathroomwhich can be used by everyone in thehousehold

TIPS:“In poorly insulated older houses, bathroomrenovations provide an opportunity to improve insulation and possibly replace single-glazedwindows.”Tony CarrolI, O’Connor Carroll Bathroom and Stairlift Specialists. LoCall: 1890 911 910. Email: [email protected]

“When designing an accessible bathroom, it isimportant to plan for current and future requirements.IWA’s Best Practice Access Guidelines provide generalrecommendations for accessible bathroom design, butthe input of an occupational therapist, who can assessyour individual needs, is also important.”Dolores Murphy, IWA Housing OfficerFor a copy of IWA’s Best Practice Access Guidelines,visit www.iwa.ie or contact IWA on tel: 01 818 6400


p 42 rally poster:p 42 rally poster 31/08/2011 15:55 Page 1

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The first thing you notice about the IWA centreoutside the village of Clane, in Co Kildare, is howlively a place it is. Buzzing and busy with peoplebustling about or clustering in canteen and

corridor to talk about shared projects and ideas, about themusic classes, the ceramics and, naturally enough, aboutgardening. This is organic gardening of great integrity thatis so successful it keeps the kitchen supplied with freshvegetables, salads and herbs for months during thegrowing season.

Horticulture came to IWA Clane several years ago,beginning with the division of the fine sloping field outside, which was cut in half by a wooden fence to make a garden, leaving the top half fallow. A herb gardenof raised beds was made near the kitchen, for easypicking, and this was a riot of colour and scent the day we visited in July.

Then came a grant for a butterfly garden, which is laidout in a big circle, with wide paths radiating out from thecentre and plenty of space to socialise, have lunch, holdquizzes and barbeques. Ceramic butterflies made bymembers fly across the back fence and the beds are filledwith sedum and buddleia to attract the creatures.

Since then, horticulture has morphed into the excitingClane Organic Garden Project, under the tutelage ofexperienced horticulturalist Ros Longwill, who comes inevery Thursday and holds her classes in the fertile junglethat is the polytunnel, where tomatoes and basil jostle forspace with melons and cucumbers, and the corners arefilled with little plant incubators, where seeds and cuttingsare started off before being planted out into the widerlandscape.

Students are currently working towards a FETAC Level 4certification in Organic Food, and some will go on to higherlevels. It is a very hands-on course, in which members,staff and volunteers are actively involved. Everyone bringsdifferent skills to the group, including a former chef (who

HomeGROWNHELEN ROCK was inspired by a recent visit to IWA’s Clane Centre, where whatstarted as a modest herb garden has developed into a large scale Organic GardenProject, supplying abundant fresh food to the centre kitchens

The herb garden in Clane

gives brilliant recipes to make from the vegetables), andtwo farmers, one who supplies the manure to open up therich clay.

Outside the polytunnel-cum-classroom, raised beds areused for growing a huge array of vegetables, including asandy one for asparagus and carrots and one forstrawberries. Annual crops are strictly rotated each year, tostop the build-up of pests and diseases in the soil and toavoid depleting it unduly of specific nutrients. “We followearly potatoes with cabbage, and the peas go where theonions were before,” explained Con, a fount of gardening


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LIVING

knowledge, whom I met picking peas for the kitchen(‘Kelvedon Wonder’ and ‘Ambassador’ were his varieties ofchoice).

Other raised beds were brimful of celery, lettuces,courgettes, beets, turnips, curly kale, dill, parsnips, onions(‘Red Baron’ and ‘Hercules’) and coriander, the type grownfor seed rather than leaves. There was a wonderfully well-kept, three-bay compost bin and comfrey is grown formaking ‘tea’, a potent organic liquid manure that is useddiluted. Strawberries aside, there were only two fruit trees,an apple and a pear.

I mentioned to the class that the other half of the sloping field would make a fine orchard, for trees as well as soft fruit, as all fruit likes good drainage and the slope would provide that. But the others had already got that idea and we all agreed that the garden needed expanding, and an orchard of suitable varieties of apples and pears, plums, damsons,quinces (so pretty in blossom and fruit) and a medlar and a mulberry tree, needed to be planted, all in thefullness of time. I can’t wait to go back and see it someday.

Geraldine Masterson sowing seeds The Butterfly Garden Vincent Connolly at work in the vegetable garden

THE KITCHEN GARDENSeptember is the beginning of harvest time and oftenhas the best weather too. There are apples and pears,quinces and autumn-fruiting raspberries ripening nowand plenty of summer vegetables left to eat, for examplebeetroot, tall runner beans, smaller French beans,cauliflower, courgettes, tomatoes, lettuce, scallions,potatoes, radish, rocket and spinach.

These are joined from now on by leeks and curly kale(for making delicious colcannon). Sometime inSeptember, when their leaves have all turned yellow andflopped, you should pull up your onions and lay them inthe sun to dry, before plaiting and storing them byhanging in a dry, airy place. If they are not dry they’ll getmould and start to rot.

As you keep harvesting into October, more ground willbecome vacant. This should not really be left bare allwinter because that way valuable nutrients are leachedfrom the soil. Instead, you can sow hardy winter salads(such as mizuna, rocket, pak choy, lamb’s lettuce (aka

corn salad) and over-wintering onion sets (Sept), broadbeans and garlic (Oct).

Or you could sow a packet of green manure to coverempty ground, which you simply dig into the soil inspring. If you’ve got a ready supply of fresh seaweed,you could just cover the ground thickly with it and digthat in come spring. It’s a wonderful ingredient formaking good soil, used by coastal communities sinceman first began to grow food. Last but not least, youcan work some garden compost or rotted manure intothe bare ground and cover it with a layer of strong blackplastic throughout the winter.

In November, while you can still sow broad beans and plant your selected garlic cloves (early in the month),there’s not a whole lot left to do in the kitchen garden.It’s a good time to turn the compost heap then cover forthe winter, to gather up autumn leaves and store them ina leaf cage (I use posts and chicken wire) and continueharvesting leeks, everlasting spinach, winter cabbages,Brussels sprouts, curly kale, parsnips and turnips.


46

Margaret McEvoy from Clane, Co Kildare, reviews thisyear’s Bloom in the Phoenix Park

It was a very memorable day and was fantastic overall.The staff were exceptionally helpful. On the whole, accesswas great. However, there were electric cables goingacross the main walkways which shook my chair each timeI went over them. I did not see or use the wheelchair toilets,so am unsure how accessible they were.

As far as I could see, there was not much of specificinterest to gardeners with disabilities, which was a littledisappointing as I’d heard there was supposed to be more.I may not have seen all there was to see, though, as gettingthrough the huge crowds in a big powered chair is not aneasy job! The themed gardens outside were the highlightfor me, and I would definitely go back again.

LIVING

What’s onSeptember is show time for dahlias, when gardening clubs and societies all over Ireland put on dazzling displays of different varieties to delight the public andmembers alike. Dahlia show dates and venues are asfollows:

Sat 3rd Sept, 2-5pm, Pobail Scoil Neasin, Baldoyle; Sun4th Sept, 2-5pm, Balbriggan Community School, PineRidge; Sats & Sun 10th&11th & 24th & 25th Sept, 2-5pm,Seamus Ennis Centre, The Naul, Co Dublin.

OTHER EVENTSSat 10th Sept, 11am-5pm, National Poultry Autumn Saleat Larch Hill Gardens, Kilcock, Co Kildare. Many breeds ofchickens, ducks and geese for sale in a great country fairatmosphere. Adm £6.

Sat & Sun 17th&18th Sept, 11am-5pm, AutumnReflections at the beautiful Mount Venus Nursery in theWalled Garden, Tibradden, Mutton Lane, Rathfarnham,Dublin.

Wed & Thurs 21st&22nd Sept, 10am-5pm, AutumnPlant Fair at Lodge Park, Straffan, Co Kildare, home of theSteam Museum and Steaming Kettle tea room, both ofwhich will be open.

Sun 25th Sept, Harvest Festival Horticultural Show offruits, flowers and vegetables. Community Centre, Kilrane,Co Wexford (near Rosslare Harbour). Phone Bernard on086 244 2000 if you wish to enter.

Sat 1st Oct, Wild Mushroom Identification Day atGortbrack Organic Farm, Ballyseedy, Co Kerry. £20,advance bookings only. Phone 066 713 7042.

Sun 2nd Oct, 10am-4pm, ‘Making Medicinal Remediesfrom Common Garden Plants’. Irish SeedSaversAssociation, Capparoe, Scariff, Co Clare. £60. Phone 061921 856, www.irishseedsavers.ie.

BLOOM 2011


48

“It didn’t surprise me when Rachel passed herdriving test first time out,” says CaoimhghinWhyte, assessor and instructor at the IWASchool of Motoring in Cork. “From day one she

showed great spirit, application and – if you’ll excuse thepun – drive in doing all she could to achieve her goal ofbeing able to drive.” Caoimhghin taught Rachel Gray todrive in 2008 and she now enjoys the freedom to getaround the country without requiring assistance fromothers. “I would like to think her success could inspireothers with disabilities, who feel that they might not be ableto learn, to at least put themselves forward forassessment,” adds Caoimhghin.

From when she was a teenager 23-year-old Rachel Gray,who has cerebral palsy, saw driving as being key toestablishing her independence and achieving the mobilityshe needed to live a normal life. She explains: “Although Ilive in Cork, my family is spread around the country incounties Tipperary, Wicklow and Longford. By being ableto drive I not only have the means to visit when I want, butalso get around Cork and go wherever I want, whenever Iwant, without having to rely on others for help.”

It took Rachel nearly two years from her assessment in2007 to achieve a standard that she was happy withbefore she took her driving test. She recalls: “For me, beingable to drive seemed to be the only solution to the mobilitychallenges I faced. I found out about the IWA School ofMotoring in Cork through my local IWA office andcontacted them about an assessment.

“While I was determined to learn how to drive, I was stillvery nervous about the assessment. Fail it and I was rightlyflummoxed. So, a lot hung on it. I met Caoimhghin whenhe carried out my assessment. He took me through theprocess, put me in the car and all went well, thankfully.”

For the lessons Caoimhghin set up a range ofadaptations on one of the school’s learner cars. Theseincluded right foot indicator controls, left foot acceleratorand brake, door switch right indicator and a left hand

steering wheel spinner. He also helped Rachel organise thepurchase and adaptation of her own car, a Toyota Yaris,which would arrive 10 months later.

Rachel says: “At first the lessons were both physicallyand mentally demanding. I must say Caoimhghin has thetolerance of a saint. He was very patient and encouragedme along every step of the way.”

Towards the end of her first year of lessons Rachel’snewly adapted automatic Toyota Yaris arrived in Cork, andher test was another step closer. But the new car alsopresented a temporary crisis of confidence. Rachel recalls:“I remember thinking, Wow! Now when Caoimhghin is inthe car, I no longer have the assurance of him being able topress his brake if I should mess up. But having specificcustomised adaptations for the first time made a bigdifference and boosted my determination to learn.”

A few months later Rachel’s day of reckoning finallyarrived. She says as a precautionary measure a few weeksbefore the test she went on a week-long residential courseor “driving boot camp” to hone her skills, “just to be sure”.

One of Rachel Gray’s proudest moments was passing her driving test. ROBBIE COUSINS learns how Rachel went about preparing and discovers what IWA has to offer learner drivers in Cork

Learning to drive IN CORK

Rachel now enjoys the freedom to move around the country without requiring assistance.


49SPOKEOUT

MOTORING

Rachel briefly outlines what happened on the test day:“The driving element of the test involved following a coursearound the Wilton area of Cork. Despite all the lessons Ihad taken, and knowing the course, I was still verynervous. But when the tester said, ‘Congratulations, youhave passed your test’, it had to go down as one of thehappiest if not most relieved moments of my life.”

Rachel says that it was Caoimhghin’s support, guidanceand gentle pushing that got her over the line, whileCaoimhghin says Rachel’s determination shone through inthe end and she only has herself to thank for herachievement.

So, what does it all mean to Rachel today? “Being ableto drive has given me freedom and independent mobility Icouldn’t have imagined a few years back. It has completelychanged how I live my life. It has also enabled me to dovoluntary work, whereby I feel I am contributing to thesociety in a positive manner.

“If I could do it, I believe almost anyone can and shouldgive it a go. And remember, if you are nervous aboutlearning and your instructor is anywhere near as good andunderstanding as Caoimhghin was with me, you shouldhave nothing to worry about.”

IWA School of Motoring Cork was opened in the early’60s when the IWA began establishing motoring schoolsacross the country. The office in Cork is based in Blackrockand the service has between 30 and 40 clients withdisabilities pass through its books each year.

In addition to driving instructor Caoimhghin Whyte, theIWA also has an Occupational Therapist (OT) and anadministrator in the office. The IWA School of Motoringcarries out driver assessments in Cork for parts of countiesWaterford, Tipperary, Limerick and Kerry. Caoimhghinsays: “While we carry out assessments in Cork, lessonsmay be available locally in all of the places for which wecarry out assessments. Anybody looking to find out moreshould contact their local IWA office.”

Talking about the confidence building processCaoimhghin explains: “For many people with disabilitieslearning to drive is nearly as much about buildingconfidence as it is about gaining competence. We are veryalert to issues around the confidence of the individual andwork very closely with clients to ensure that they have theconfidence and self-assurance to take charge of theirvehicle. I would say to anyone nervous about learning, getthe assessment done at least, and see what happens fromthere. If you get through the assessment, outline yourconcerns to your OT or instructor and let them help youbuild your confidence to get behind the wheel. There isnothing to lose, and all to be gained by giving it a go.”

And concluding with an explanation of what someonecan expect when they get behind the wheel to learnCaoimhghin, explains: “At IWA Cork we move peoplealong, with a little encouragement, at a pace that suitsthem. For some the learning happens quickly, for others itcan take a little longer. The important thing to remember isthat it’s not a race and that a good instructor will help youat every step along the way.”

For details about driving lessons or assessments in theSouthern Region, Contact Caoimhghin Whyte on tel: 021435 0282 or email: [email protected]. A driver assessmentapplication form can be downloaded from the IWA websitewww.iwa.ie

Rachel says: “At first the lessons were both physically and mentally demanding. I mustsay Caoimhghin was very patient and encouraged me along every step of the way.”

Caoimhghin Whyte says: “The important thing to remember about learning to drive isthat it’s not a race and a good instructor will help at every step along the way.”

PARTICIPANTS WANTED FORTRANSPORT SURVEY Under the 2005 Disability Act, the Department ofTransport, Tourism and Sport is currently carryingout a review of its sectoral plan. As part of thisreview, the Department is looking for people withdisabilities to complete a survey form. The currentplan identifies targets for all modes of accessibletransport, setting out actions to make trains, buses,taxis and air and marine transport accessible topeople with disabilities. Further information isavailable on the Department website www.dttas.ie.All completed surveys must be returned [email protected] before 23rd September. IWAis encouraging as many members as possible tocomplete the survey.


51SPOKEOUT

SPORT

From the 29th August to the 9th September nextyear, the 14th Paralympics Games will be held inLondon. The Paralympic Games is the secondlargest sporting event in the world, second only to

the Olympic Games, and is expected to play host toapproximately 7,000 athletes and officials from over 200countries, competing in 20 sporting disciplines.

Though 2012 will be London’s third Olympic Games, itwill be the first Paralympic Games to be staged in the cityas the event was created after the last time the city hostedthe Olympic movement in 1948. However, interestingly, thisis the second time that the United Kingdom hosts aParalympic Games as the 1984 Summer Paralympics werehosted in Stoke Mandeville, United Kingdom, and LongIsland, New York, United States.

Following the success of Irish athletes in Beijing in 2008,London presents an unprecedented opportunity for Irishsports fans to witness the spectacle of Irish athletes inParalympic competition in what will virtually be a homegames. Paralympics Ireland planning for London 2012began as far back as 2006 and currently nearly 60 Irishathletes from nine sports are attempting to qualify for nextyear’s games.

Organisers indicate that 1.5 million tickets will beavailable for the Paralympic Gamesand the application process for ticketswill commence from the 9thSeptember this year. Those seekingtickets will need to log on towww.tickets.london2012.com andfollow the application and registrationprocess as described. Wheelchairusers will be able to apply forwheelchair spaces online without theneed to call a special number. If your application issuccessful, you will be provided with a space wide enoughto accommodate you and also an adjacent companionseat. Tickets for the games will not be available throughParalympics Ireland. There will also be a number of un-ticketed free events, for example the marathon and roadcycling.

Once you know whether your application is successful,you can apply for disabled drivers’ parking or, if you do notwant to bring your car, the Javelin Rail service from CentralLondon to Olympic Park will be completely accessible. The2012 Paralympic Games will use a mixture of new venues,existing and historic facilities, and temporary facilities,

some of them in well-known locationssuch as Hyde Park and Horse GuardsParade. Of the 20 Paralympic sports,nine sports will be played in London’sOlympic Park which has been builtspecifically for the Olympic andParalympic games with The ExCeLCentre hosting a further six sports. Forfull details on the games, log on towww.london2012.com.

For those of you who do not wish to travel, Channel 4will broadcast The Games, with over 150 hours oftelevision coverage. However if possible, throw on yourIrish jersey, dust down that tricolour and travel to what isguaranteed to be a spectacular event. There is sure to be astrong Irish contingent both on the field and in theaudience, and you may well see a few familiar faces.

Photo: Padmayogini / Shutterstock.com

LONDON 2012As the countdown to London2012 begins, JOHN FULHAM,Communications Officer for theParalympic Council of Ireland, gives us a taste of what lies ahead

“...currently nearlysixty Irish athletes from nine sports are attempting

to qualify for nextyear’s games”


52

Looking back, my interest in sport started throughphysiotherapy and swimming,” says 21-year-oldOrla Barry from Lady’s Bridge in East Cork. “I wasnine years old when I started athletics, and by the

time I was 13, I had started to compete internationally. Iwas attending senior events and competing against peoplemuch older than myself, so I began to realise I must beokay at what I was doing.”

Orla, who is a double above knee amputee, has beeninvolved in IWA Sport since she was a child. “As well asswimming, I started doing shot putt, discus and javelin. Myparents thought it was great that I was getting out there,making friends and enjoying something. Then they sawhow I was progressing and began to get interested in thesport. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I amtoday, and I still call on them regularly for help.

“Relatively early on,” says Orla, “I realised discus waswhat I was best at, although I have gone back to doing abit of javelin as well lately. I also enjoyed the swimming and

kept that up until I was 16, when I had to give it up becauseit was too difficult to manage school work and both sports.With the Leaving Cert workload, something had to give.”

Orla competed in discus at her first World Championshipsin 2006, when she was just 16. “I came fourth, which I wasvery happy with for my first world event.” Two years later,Orla qualified for the Beijing Paralmpics, where she camefifth. “Since then there have been changes to theclassification system which have made it more difficult forathletes in my class. I’m a class 57 and recently the 57shave been combined with class 58, who have more functionphysically, so this makes it tougher for the 57s. I can’tcomplain because a lot of sports are being combined in thisway, but I have to factor it in when I look at my progression.For example, at this year’s World Championships I camefourth, a result I was very pleased with because fourth nowis much harder to achieve.”

Orla’s greatest achievement so far came at the Irish NationalChampionships in July 2010 when she threw 30.48m, setting

THE PARALYMPICCOUNTDOWN

London 2012 is a once in a lifetime opportunity for elite Irish athletes tocompete on their own doorstep. One of these athletes, discus competitorOrla Barry, tells JOANNA MARSDEN about her career to date, her trainingstrategy and her medal hopes

Orla training under the watchful eye of Pat Furlong

“


53SPOKEOUT

SPORT

a new Irish and European record. The distance is just 11cmshort of the world record. “I was surprised myself at thedistance. My average throws at the time were around 28 andI didn’t feel that I would make the 30 metres until this year, soI did feel good about it.”

Having been training full-time for nearly a year, Orla says herprogress is accelerating. “Last summer, I finished my degreein Business Management with Law at Waterford IT. I hadfound it tough juggling training, college work and collegesocial life, especially because I wasn’t living at home. I don’tknow how I got through it, but I’m glad it’s over and I’ve adegree in my back pocket. As soon as I left, I went straightinto full-time training and it has made a huge difference. It’sgreat to be able to train at whatever time suits me – I used tobe wrecked trying to fit training around college. Also, I havethe time to see physiotherapists, psychologists andnutritionists. It’s hard trying to get the best out of yourselfwhile spreading yourself so thinly. Your body has to have theright amount of rest to give its best performance. Having asingle focus is also easier psychologically. When you have noadded pressures, there is nothing to take from yourconcentration.

“All this is made possible by an Irish Sports Council grant,which I’m extremely grateful for,” says Orla. “If I didn’t get thegrant, I’d have to work. Having the funding helps with thetravel costs and gives me the time to give sport 100 percent.”

Now living at home in Cork, Orla is pursuing an intensivetraining regime that includes two or three weekly sessionswith her coach, Pat Furlong. “Pat gives me lots of supportand travels with me to competitions. I also do some trainingwith the Irish seated squad. Having a good team around youhelps. We’re all hoping to get through when the team for

London is picked next June. I feel I should be okay, butnobody can be sure. It’s heartbreaking for those who don’tget picked, but that’s the way sport is.

“At this stage I’m working hard and hoping for a medal.Actually, I’m really looking forward to The Games. I’m notnervous, but there is a lot to be done between now and theGames. I was in Portugal last week for a familiarisation camp– basically preparation for next year when I will be spendingthe week before The Games there as part of an intensive pre-event programme. I’m sure I will get anxious when the timecomes – there would be something wrong if I wasn’t! It has tobe the biggest competition of my life, but I should be wellseasoned by then.”

With The Games being hosted so close to home, Orla feelsthe media interest is already greater than it was for Beijing.“It’s a big advantage having it in London. With it all happeningnear by, people are naturally going to have a bigger interest. Ijust hope it won’t stop afterwards, and paralympic sport willget bigger and bigger. As an athlete it is nice to berecognised, to know that people are watching as you moveup in the world rankings. When people say, ‘I read about you,I know how well you are doing’, it feels good to have thatrecognition.

“There is no question that competing for your country is abig thing. I’ve always loved watching Irish athletes excel andnational pride is a huge motivational factor. Any paralympianwill tell you that the opening ceremony is just amazing –– thefull stadium, the noise, the atmosphere. So it’s going to bevery special next year in London, when I’ll know that my familyand friends are there in the crowd. I mean, you can’t expectpeople to go to Brazil for the next Games, so this is really aonce in a lifetime opportunity!”


Paralympian

SPIRIT With Paralympic fever mounting,cartoonist Johnny Connaughton remindsus that amidst the serious competition andmounting national pride, there shouldalways be room for a bit of fun...

Cartoons by JOHNNY CONNAUGHTON

Three days later ...DNALERI

I wonder has mywheelchair landed yet!

Lost Luggage

TSOL

Where is my rugby chair?

Your chair is in Norway, we’ll courier it toyou as soon as it lands here in Portugal.

Mammy, I want legs like those!suirotsiP OG


55SPOKEOUT

CARTOONS

Winning the game depends on this serve. Theintensity of this game has left the audience in silence!

GAME, SET AND OOOOOPPPPS!!What’s worse - the embarrassment

of falling out of your chair or having your

shorts pulled down in front of millions?

COME ON IRELAND!

TOOH

2102 nodnoL

It’s like the architects actually listened! There’sno tier above me protruding into my view!

2102 nodnoL


57SPOKEOUT

FUNDRAISING NEWS

Be in with a chance to win a brand new Ford Focus thisDecember. The annual Super Ford Focus Draw will takeplace on Wednesday, 7th December, 2011. A ticket for thedraw has been included in this edition of Spokeout. Thankyou for your generous support!

SUPER FORD FOCUS DRAW

Jack Doyle, IWA Volunteer Co-ordinator; Peadar Lacey, Boland Motors, Waterford; Agnes Waters, winner of the 2010 Ford Focus Draw; and Sinead Foskin, Area Manager, IWA

FRIENDS OF IWA MONTHLY DRAWMAY 2011 WINNERS1st Prize €2,000: Kay McLoughlin, Balbriggan, Co Dublin2nd Prize €1,500: Louise Quill, Raheny, Dublin 53rd Prize €500: Oliver Ward, Navan Road, Dublin 7

JUNE 2011 WINNERS1st Prize €2000: Conor & Roisin O’Donovan, Navan Road, Dublin 72nd Prize €1,500: John Heuston, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin3rd Prize €500: Noel Clarke, Co Limerick

JULY 2011 WINNERS1st Prize €2000: Eithne Murtagh, Clondra, Co Longford2nd Prize €1,500: Rose Coyle, Ballina, Co Mayo3rd Prize €500: Paul O’Brien, Slane, Co Meath

Francis Genockey (right), IWAFundraising, Dublin, presentsOliver Ward with his cheque

To become a ‘Friend of IWA’ and take part in themonthly draw, visit www.iwa/Friends-of -IWA

Traditionally holders of the Primary Medical Certificate(PMC) have bought brand new cars because they couldtake advantage of the VRT exemption and claim back theVAT element. Holders of the PMC wouldn't buy a used carbecause the VRT element and VAT had already been paid.

Tim Hutton of Desmond Motors, who has over 20 yearsexperience on both sides of the border, noticed a loopholewhere you can buy a VAT qualifying used car and selldirect to the customer in the South. Basically what thismeans is you can now buy a heavily discounted used carfrom Tim Hutton and still avail of the VRT and VATexemption saving you €1000's in the process.

The full range of Ford models are available on thisscheme. Tim can be contacted on 048-7136 7136

PRIMARY MEDICAL CERT


BASKETBALL IRELAND WOULDLIKE TO WISH ALL THE ATHLETES

THE VERY BEST OF LUCK

www.basketballireland.ie

Basketball Ireland, National Basketball Arena, Tymon Park, Dublin 24

01-4590211

FUNDRAISING NEWS

Cycling Ireland supporting the growth of Paracycling participation that has seen Paralympic Games qualification jumpfrom 1 Bike in Athens in 2004 to 4 bikes in Beijing in 2008 and agoal of 6 bikes for London 2012. With current World Cup andWorld Championship title holders in our Paracycling Squad, welook forward to Ireland’s first Paralympic Games cycling medalsin London. We wish all the Paralympics Ireland athletes selected for London the Best of Luck.

E: [email protected] and www.cyclingireland.ie

& Twitter.com/IreCylcingFed

A big thank you to all theladies who walked, joggedor ran to raise funds forthe Irish WheelchairAssociation in this year’sFlora Mini Marathon.Congratulations and welldone for representing IWAand for gatheringsponsorship.

FLORA MINIMARATHON


59SPOKEOUT

SNAPSHOTS

ACHIEVEMENTS

LIMERICK BOCCIA TEAM WINS NATIONAL LEAGUE! The IWA Limerick Boccia Team won the CPSINational Boccia League held in Ballinteer, Dublin, inJuly.

Front row (l-r): Tim O’Riordan, Nicola Dore (captain) and Georgina LuebekBack row (l-r): Ray Ryan (coach), Stephen Ryan, and Jacquie Connolly

MALIN BUS LAUNCH Michael Connolly of the Connolly Foundation, from wherethe Malin ROC operates three days a week, cuts theribbon on the new bus funded by National Lottery Funding2010.

33RD CORK TO CARLOW CYCLESupported by IWA staff and volunteers, 98 cyclists set out fromCork on the secondweekend in June to cycle to Clonmel arriving at 6pm. After a goodnight’s relaxation and rest they set off the following day to Carlow where the groupfinished off the long cycle with a gathering in the Seven Oaks Hotel,Carlow. A lot of work went in to preparing for this annual cycle and it’s now full steam ahead with preparations for next year!

spokeout_aut_11_p59-61:Layout 1 31/08/2011 15:02 Page 59

IWA SUMMER CAMP The annual IWA Junior Summer Camp took place fromTuesday 26th July to Thursday 28th July in Dublin. Thecamp forms an integral part of the junior events calendarproviding children aged six to 16 with the opportunity to tryout a range of different sports including swimming, hand-cycling, basketball, rugby, athletics and tennis.Congratulations to Daniel Airey who won ‘Athlete of theCamp’.

60

EVENTS

CUISLE GUESTS VISIT MUSEUM OF COUNTRY LIFE Recent guests at Cuisle enjoyed a day trip to theMuseum of Country Life in Castlebar, Co Mayo. Themuseum enables visitors to explore the story of Irishcountry life between 1850 and 1950. The exhibitionconsists of a wide range of artefacts includingagricultural implements, fishing and hunting equipment,clothing and textiles, and modes of transport.

Cuisle guests Danny Phelan, Gerry McGrath and Jim DalyCuisle guests James McDermott, Geraldine McDonagh, Mary Browne withCuisle staff member Shirley Fallon (second left)

A delighted Daniel Airey (left) receiving the Rosaleen Gallagher Junior Summer CampAthlete Award from last year’s joint winner, Jonathan Hayes, with Nicky Hamill, IWA Director of SportOrla Dempsey, IWA Sports Development Officer, instructing participants


61SPOKEOUT

SNAPSHOTS

DUBLIN NORTHEAST FUN DAYOver 100 IWA memberscame together for IWA’sannual Fun Day which tookplace on Friday 24th June.A glamorous, Hollywoodand movie-themed event,with tarot card readings,summer barbecue, inter-centre X-Factorcompetition, beauty parlourand Cadbury’s Spots vs.Stripes sports and gameskept members and serviceusers entertained at theFun Day which was held inthe ROC and gym Clontarf.

URBAN SOULSDuring July IWA Clontarf received a helping hand fromyoung volunteers aged 15 to 20 as part of this year’s Urban Soul project. Urban Soul gathers young people whoare passionate about social action for projects like areaclean-ups, painting over graffiti, or running communityevents. This year the Urban Soul team kindly agreed tovolunteer at the local IWA centre in Clontarf fromWednesday 6th July to Friday 8th July. Over the threedays, the young group of volunteers supported theAssociation and its members by cleaning the windows ofthe resource centre, holiday centre, gym and administrationbuilding in the IWA Clontarf campus. They also joinedmembers in the centre activities and participated in a gameof wheelchair basketball.

Urban Soul volunteers from Ireland and America join IWA staff and members for acampus clean up.

Elvis (aka Tony McNally), Clontarf member

Youth member Micheál Hughes with Dave Barry, IWA Youth Worker, enjoying X-Factor

Drogheda ROC members Martin Summerville and Cherly O’Brien participate in Cadbury’s Spots and Stripes


62

CROSSWORD

Across1. Illicit collusion. (10)6. Scorch. (4)10. More sage. (5)11. Aborigine’s weapon. (9)12. An average cut of veg-etable. (7)15. One who sits for an artist.(5)17. Operatic song. (4)18. When seeking the GoldenFleece, Jason gave it a rightgo in this ship! (4)19. Happen again. (5) 21. Row of houses. (7) 23. Jack may place a letter infront of 13 down. (5) 24. A nautical mile per hour.(4) 25. Dairy product. (4) 26. Flower from Amsterdam?(5) 28. Variety of rice. (7)33 & 34. A badge of privilege

in a concert; a basic righteverywhere else! (6,3,5) 35. Inventory. (4) 36. Brain-power useful whenthe dilemma is not a simplematter of black and white.(4,6)

Down1. A monk’s hood. (4)2. A hankering for the past. (9)3. Capital on the Seine. (5)4. Jewish teacher. (5)5. Prepare food. (4)7. Noticed a sound. (5)8. Consistency. (10)9. Kerry home of the keenram? (7)13. The main part of a churchor cathedral. (4) 14. Hungarian red pepper. (7) 16. Is this a sport or a dancefor creels? (10) 20. Self-assured. (9)

21. Stormy Shakespeareanplay. (7) 22. Society. (4) 27. Secures with a key. (5) 29. Team race. (5) 30. Surname of the current USpresident. (5) 31. Market. (4) 32. Russian ruler who dispelled rats. (4)

CROSSWORD WINNERSFOR SUMMER 2011E Hartigan, Poppintree, Dublin 11;C Nicholson, South Circular Road, Dublin 8

CrosswordTo be in with a chance of winning one of two €50‘One4all’ gift tokens, which can be used in 4,500 retailoutlets nationwide, simply send your completedcrossword along with your name and address to:Spokeout Crossword, Irish Wheelchair Association,Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Correct entrieswill be entered into a draw on Friday 21st October,2011, and two winners drawn.

Crossword No. 13 by Gordius

EVENTSGLENNON’S INSURANCE WINNER Eddie Gillespie from Co Donegal was the winner of themost recent Glennon’s Insurance Draw for a year’s free carinsurance. ROC serviceuser Eddie is picturedbeing presented with hisprize by Service Co-ordinator MaryMcGrenra. The picturewas taken at IonadNaomh Padraig Dobhair,a locally basedcommunity centre fromwhich IWA runsits Gweedore ROCservices. The next draw,which is open to IWAmembers, theirspouses/partners and theircarers, is for those seeking quotations through Glennonduring the months of October, November and December.To find out more about IWA Car and Home InsuranceSchemes, contact Glennon on tel: 1890 812 221 or email:[email protected]

NENAGH BRANCH MEMBERS SEE TIPPERARY HURLERS WINMembers of the Nenagh branch attended theTipperary v Cork Hurling Championships in SempleStadium in May where they watched their team beatthe rivals.

Pictured back (l-r): Branch volunteers Michael Farrell and Seamus MaddenFront: Kevin Clifford and Betty Madden with branch secretary Mary Heffernan (centre)


63SPOKEOUT

WHEELCHAIR USERS AND WILLPOWER

Dear Editor As an avid reader of Spokeout, I thought I should draw your attention to a recent RTE programme,Nationwide, which followed the progress of an ex Armyman who is now jogging in Donegal, on high and lowterrain, after being in a wheelchair for a period following anaccident. Without wishing to concentrate on thisgentleman and his great progress from his injury, themessage that came across was that his improvement wasthe result of his extraordinary willpower. I am not sure thatsufficient notice was paid to the difference between boneand tissue injury and brain/spinal cord injury. It’s not rightthat people like my wife, who was paralysed halfway up herback on the birth of her sixth child, should be left thinking

they have not sufficient willpower. They have, and so havemost others sitting in wheelchairs. Each day, they faceproblems which would be enough to make others want togo to bed and never get up. People in wheelchairs do notneed to beat themselves up with thoughts that they lackwill power. They don’t. And while certain conditions permitremission or rehabilitation, some conditions are static. Thisfact was known as early as New Testament times whenthey spoke of the need for a miracle, somethingsuperhuman, to regain mobility.

Keep up your great work in Spokeout and all yourwonderful work in the IWA.

Yours, etc. Charlie O’KeeffeDublin 11

LETTERS

YOUR VIEWS Got something to say? Write to us at Spokeout, IrishWheelchair Association, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE THE VIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL READERS

AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF IWA

HOUSE SWAP WANTED

Dear EditorI am currently living in an adapted county council house inBalbriggan (North County Dublin) and wish to move.Unfortunately there is no obvious forum in which to advertise.I’ve already placed adverts on Gumtree and several anotherpublic sites, but I have as yet received no responses. Localcouncil regulations mean that anyone wishing to swap houseswith me must also need an adapted home.

As such, I am writing to Spokeout in the hope of attractingthe attention of other readers, who may be in similar adaptedlocal authority housing and like me, seek a change.

My current house is a newly built, four bed adapted home.Downstairs, there is a good wheelchair accessible bedroom,roll-in shower room, wider frame doors, large kitchen andsitting room. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, a study anda bathroom. The house has a front and back yard, with twocar spaces, and is close to local amenities.

The home I seek is an adapted bungalow, with a similarspecification to my current home but with much biggergardens, for a young family. All areas would be considered,although coastal areas are preferred.

If anyone is interested, or would like further info, they cancontact me on [email protected]

Yours, etc.JT (full name with editor)Balbriggan, Co Dublin

Attaches to wheelchair or bicycle or adapts as athree wheel buggy. Seats two children, excellentcondition, very little used.

Tel: 087 263 4196 (Kerry)

CHARIOT CARRIER FOR SALE


SMALL ADS

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SMALL ADS If you have an item for sale or wanted, 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 accommodationand services are €20.00 (cheques or postal orders payable to IWA Ltd).

FOR SALECars and accessoriesSwivel seat As new. €200. Tel: 087 912 0882 (Dublin)

Swivel car seatAs new. Tel: 043 332 3154(Longford)

Swivel seatPerfect condition. €200 ono. Tel: 045 522 015 (Kildare)

Ricon wheelchair liftCan be seen working. €2,500. Tel: 087 644 6339 (Kerry)

Wheelchairs, scooters, adaptive equipment and clothingAcorn stair liftAs new condition, two remotes, fold-up swivel seat, right hand side, 15-step stairs, 4.9m long. Sell €900 ono. Tel: 087 233 8807(Leitrim)

Power chairOne year old, as new, little used, neat, compact,comfortable, high power long-life battery, easy to operate and transport in car.€2,000 ono. Tel: 087 231 2382(Kildare/Dublin)

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN IWAInterested in working with the Irish Wheelchair Association? If so, make sure to regularly visit our website (www.iwa.ie) for the latest vacancies.IWA is an equal opportunities employer.

Sterling Diamond mobilityscooterNever used. €2,000. Tel: 085 734 3432 (Dublin)

Sonic scooterPerfect condition,little used, new battery.Reasonable offers considered. Tel: 01 839 3224 (Dublin)

WalkerComplete with seat and basket, height-adjustable,never used. Cost €145, sell €125. Tel: 085 267 7981 (Mayo)

Reck Motomed Viva 2Perfect working order. €1,750 ono. Tel: 087 791 7582(Dublin)

Freerider scooterFour wheel mobility scooter. €400ono. Tel: 01 283 7055 (Dublin)

Shoprider scooterFour wheel mobility scooter. €400 ono. Tel: 01 283 7055(Dublin)

Casa Med Classic Fs electric bedBed and pressure relievingmattress. Best offer. Tel: 085 7819664 (Galway)

Liberty stair lift Left hand side with one turn, verygood condition. Best offer. Tel: 087 162 0943 (Dublin)

Carony Transportation SystemSwivel car seat/wheelchaircombined, allows user completemobility without leaving seat,perfect condition. €1,950 ono. Tel: 086 378 9260 (Laois)

Enigma Energi powerchairVery little used, excellentcondition, perfect working order,cushion, charger and handbook. €2,000 ono.Tel: 086 738 2848 (Sligo)

WANTEDPlatform lift Platform lift wanted to travel sixsteps high within a communityhall. Can be collected fromanywhere in Ireland. Tel: 087 0507711

PROPERTY FOR RENTPortugal Fully wheelchair accessible villa,20 minutes drive from FaroAirport, air conditioning, threebedrooms, sleeps six, largeprivate gardens and pool. Tel: 087 412 3756


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spokeout Aut 11 Cover:Layout 1 - Irish Wheelchair Association · communities. In 2011, more than ever, the Angel Campaign needs the support and assistance of local volunteers. With