One Man’s Story

One Man’s Story

in September of this year, a delegation of the disabled arrived in Strasbourg at the heart of the EU to lobby MEPs for increased direct funding of the disabled throughout the EU. The trip was organised by the European Network of Independent Living (ENIL) and the Centre for Independent Living Dublin (CIL Dublin) and was seen as an opportunity to empower people with disabilities from all over the European Union states.
Disability campaigner Tom Chambers was among those who travelled out to meet the MEPs, rally outside the Parliament and meet with the European Court of Human Rights. Tom is well known throughout Mayo and further a field as a dedicated campaigner for the rights of those with disabilities and for the provision of disability accessible facilities and buildings.
The Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 took place from Monday 14th to Thursday 17th September 2009. The purpose of this trip was to deliver a petition from people all over Europe with various disabilities to the European Parliament.

Here is Tom’s story

I had travelled by air via Charles De Gaulle Airport to Strasbourg in 2005 on my own.
In 2007 I travelled by bus with Clare people with Disabilities from Cork to Roscoff in West France and on to Strasbourg by bus.
In 2009 I decided to bring my PA who was Kathy Kilbane. When we decided to go we sat down and agreed that Kathy would look after tickets and accommodation and I would try and raise the funds.
I made contact with CIL in Dublin who was always helpful. It was through them that I got a grant for my trip. By the 11th September 2009 we had our ticket/accommodation/funds got, bags packed and a few extra Euros in my pocket it was “Strasbourg here we Come”

We travelled by air from Knock International Airport to Stanstead Airport and by train to St. Pancras, London where we stayed that night. We headed for Paris by Euro star in the morning to be treated to an English breakfast followed by a glass of Champagne. From there to Strasbourg by Train ò Grande Vitesse (TGV) – but no champagne on this train. We eventually got to the hostel Amélie Duroch CIARUS a place worth staying in with your PA and good food and very friendly staff, where we were to stay during our time there.

As Monday was free for anyone who decided not to attend the Conference in the European Youth Centre (EYC) we decided to pay a visit to the open market opposite the EU Buildings (someplace not to be missed). Back to hostel for a meal and a few drinks where we met a father and son and Miguel Fonseca (who became our friends) before going to our beds.

The trip was structured and on Tuesday 15th. Firstly at the European Youth Centre (EYC) al campaigners were formally welcomed to Strasbourg by Liz Taylor on behalf of the Council of Europe and representations from all countries that attended were given a chance to speak about their countries. We met with out Irish MEPS to discuss the petition and had a Q and A session. This meeting took place in the Parliament Buildings, Meeting Room N4.3 at 2pm. Inside were 12 MEP’s including the three from the Connaught region.

Wednesday was the day of the march. All Freedom Drivers met at Parc Du Commardes at 10am where tee-shirts were given to all participants, sponsored by the Norwegian Group, and marched from there to the Parliament Buildings a distance of 1.6 kilometres. It was very uplifting and I was proud to be there. All participants were singing “We shall overcome” and chanting and mildly protesting! So can you imagine the scene? Both myself and my PA were appropriately dressed in the Mayo colours and waiving the Red and Green flags of Mayo. The meeting was chaired by Richard Howitt, Chairperson of the European Disability Federation (EDF). Several members of ENIL New Member States had their voices heard such as Bulgaria and Lithuania. As the meeting was about to close the President of the European Union, Mr. Jerzy Buzek, was presented with the Eight Petitions by the President of ENIL Bente Skansgard and it was a meaningful and poignant exchange. The petition consisted of eight demands (8) which were compiled by European Network of Independent Living (ENIL) and the Centre for Independent Living Dublin (CIL Dublin). A total of 48 persons and their PA’s went from Ireland and were joined by 441 people from 21 countries from all over Europe to be there. Some took 3 days to get there you can imagine the strength of body and mind it took to do that?


Business done it was time for some fun, food and singing. We all made our way to the European Youth Centre (EYC) where some of the Irish contingency was staying. We had a Barbeque and some drinks, sponsored by Ireland and Germany, and generally exchanged our emails addresses with other Freedom Drivers.

Stansted Airport on arrival from Ireland didn’t have a lift available so the airline service personnel chair lifted me off the plane. As this was not a comfortable experience we asked that a lift be available when we checked in for return and it was. Although the service user is still required to transfer from evacuation chair to a window isle seat in row 3!!! Airline policy. In London busses were accessible but at the mercy of the Bus Driver! All black cabs in London are accessible it’s the law.

But in saying all this, there were no injury’s sustained and everything went as well as we could have hoped for?

Summery

I felt the organization by Barbora and Naoise with their workshops prior to going on last year’s trip was of great benefit to all the 49 Freedom Drivers from Ireland. Take bow girls!!
A lot can be learned by taking in the trip just to see how people with disabilities live in their countries and how our lives are no different either. Some might have a better PA service than others and there are people with disabilities out there that have no such service at all. But there is one thing and that is “we are all equal”
If you are thinking about going to Strasbourg for the first time next year my advice would be to start putting a few bob whenever you have it to spare and allow a few extra days to see the city of Strasbourg and its Cathedral and fine shopping and eating places and use their trams and busses and of course allow some time to visit the atmosphere in “Molly Malone’s, Brady’s and the Dubliner” and taste the Irish porter. I have my account getting bigger by the month.

Regards,
Tom

PS I have just been informed that my FACEBOOK account has been disabled?? Am upset as I had a lot of good friends