Disabled man to climb Croagh Patrick in aid of Haiti charity
Mayo Advertiser, August 07, 2009.
Michael Corbett has not walked since a car accident left him a quadriplegic in 1975. However, this did not stop the man from Newport from wishing to climb one of his county’s highest peaks — Croagh Patrick.
Now as part of a drive to raise funds for new charity Haven, building homes and hope in Haiti, Michael’s dream is coming true. His friends, June Kerrins and David Ellis are both signed up as volunteers with Haven and will be travelling to Haiti at Halloween to build homes for the poorest people in the western world.
They decided to combine their fundraising efforts and Michael’s wish into a charity event, Mick’s Climb 2009. On Sunday August 16, a team of at least 40 walkers will take on the Reek.
“This is a great way for us to raise funds for Haven — a new charity building homes for those who literally have nothing in Haiti,” said June Kerins, “and to also help our friend Michael achieve something he has not done since he was a teenager.”
Michael will have to be carried all the way by stretcher — one specially made to be able to endure the high impact climb up the 764 metre (2,510 feet) high mountain. It is approximately three miles to the summit, with a particularly gruelling last 250 metres. The entire six mile return journey is likely to take up to 10 hours for Michael and the team.
“The last time I was on the Reek was 30 years ago, well before my accident,” said Michael, who works with the Disability Foundation. “I would not be able to do this without the help of the team of 40 who will be carrying me in relays up and down the mountain.”
All have been in training since the beginning of June. The team includes a contingent from the Defence Forces and great local support from the Westport region, where June, David and Michael are based. Many of the team have lost their jobs recently as a result of the recession, including Haven volunteer David Ellis.
“While many people like myself are feeling the pinch of the recession it is nothing compared to the people of Haiti, with more than three-quarters of the entire population living below the official poverty line of $2 a day,” said David.
Anyone interested in supporting Mick’s Climb can contact the team via their own website www.havenhelpus.com. Donations can be made securely online through a link to Haven’s official website www.havenpartnership.com
June and David need to raise a minimum of €4,000 each in order to take part in Haven’s Build it Week in Haiti at the end of October. They will be part of a 250-strong volunteer team who will be building houses in a rural part of Haiti, the poorest country in the western world.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
‘You feel you are being told you’re not welcome’
By Jennifer Hough
Saturday, July 18, 2009
IT is a sad day for people with disabilities in Ireland.
Martin Naughton, who suffers from a physical disability and works for the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), maintains if implemented, the McCarthy report signals a mammoth step back for people with disabilities.
"I am still trying to digest everything. If you look at the bare cut, €50m, it looks as though we got away lightly but when you take everything as a whole there are cuts all over the place."
Mr Naughton, who has his own home and a job but still requires full-time support, feels the proposals would undo years of hard work to integrate disabled people and treat them equally.
For him, the symbolic proposals hurt more than the monetary.
Under the board’s recommendations the office for Mental Health and Disability would be removed from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and placed under the remit of the Department of Health.
For Martin, this is the ultimate betrayal.
"The social model approach to disability for the past 10 years was that people with disabilities should be supported to live like everyone else."
One of its major underpinnings was that disability reform came through the Department of Justice, that was a huge and logical boost. It was a move away from being pitied and blamed. "Most people may not realise but disabled people are often very healthy," said Martin.
"I feel sorry for any parent who has a child with a disability today. It is a struggle and the more you fight the more frustrated you can become."
The DFI says it is concerned about a recommended cut of €50m in funding to voluntary disability organisations, the €60m reduction to the funding of special needs assistants and the 5% reduction in the rate of disability allowance.
Allen Dunne, head of the DFI says the cuts are of "immense" concern as funding for disability services has already been cut repeatedly over the past two years, a process which began before the current recession was evident.
"The harsh reality is that there are still substantial unmet needs, and people with disabilities are already very vulnerable. Therefore their capacity to survive repeated knocks is very limited," she said.
Similarly, Inclusion Ireland slammed the cutting of front-line disability services such as psychologists and special needs school transport.
On the ground, Martin knows the pain this will cause – even just the suggestion.
"If you are a parent with a child with a disability, and you hear about teachers being cut back, you just feel you are being told ‘you are not welcome here’. It is telling people with disability – find somewhere else to go. It is very hurtful."
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, July 18, 2009
Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/you-feel-you-are-being-told-youre-not-welcome-96652.html#ixzz0Law2QiY3
Saturday, July 18, 2009
IT is a sad day for people with disabilities in Ireland.
Martin Naughton, who suffers from a physical disability and works for the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), maintains if implemented, the McCarthy report signals a mammoth step back for people with disabilities.
"I am still trying to digest everything. If you look at the bare cut, €50m, it looks as though we got away lightly but when you take everything as a whole there are cuts all over the place."
Mr Naughton, who has his own home and a job but still requires full-time support, feels the proposals would undo years of hard work to integrate disabled people and treat them equally.
For him, the symbolic proposals hurt more than the monetary.
Under the board’s recommendations the office for Mental Health and Disability would be removed from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and placed under the remit of the Department of Health.
For Martin, this is the ultimate betrayal.
"The social model approach to disability for the past 10 years was that people with disabilities should be supported to live like everyone else."
One of its major underpinnings was that disability reform came through the Department of Justice, that was a huge and logical boost. It was a move away from being pitied and blamed. "Most people may not realise but disabled people are often very healthy," said Martin.
"I feel sorry for any parent who has a child with a disability today. It is a struggle and the more you fight the more frustrated you can become."
The DFI says it is concerned about a recommended cut of €50m in funding to voluntary disability organisations, the €60m reduction to the funding of special needs assistants and the 5% reduction in the rate of disability allowance.
Allen Dunne, head of the DFI says the cuts are of "immense" concern as funding for disability services has already been cut repeatedly over the past two years, a process which began before the current recession was evident.
"The harsh reality is that there are still substantial unmet needs, and people with disabilities are already very vulnerable. Therefore their capacity to survive repeated knocks is very limited," she said.
Similarly, Inclusion Ireland slammed the cutting of front-line disability services such as psychologists and special needs school transport.
On the ground, Martin knows the pain this will cause – even just the suggestion.
"If you are a parent with a child with a disability, and you hear about teachers being cut back, you just feel you are being told ‘you are not welcome here’. It is telling people with disability – find somewhere else to go. It is very hurtful."
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, July 18, 2009
Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/you-feel-you-are-being-told-youre-not-welcome-96652.html#ixzz0Law2QiY3
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Early Bird Trains
The CEO of Irish Rail, Mr Richard Fearns, has confirmed to Labour's Cllr Keith Martin that Mayo will be serviced by additional services to Dublin, one of which will be an early bird train which will have commuters from Mayo in Dublin by 8.50am. In his letter to the Labour councillor Mr Fearns said that the new service will begin on September 27th.
Cllr Keith Martin, who has lobbied continuously for the service, has warmly welcomed the news saying "This is great news for Westport and Mayo. We now have greater connectivity as a region and as a tourist town.
"In these terrible economic times this new service is vital to Mayo as we compete for business, investment and strengthen our tourist appeal. The service will facilitate Mayo's 125,000 population in connecting with the world and will make Mayo an easier place to get to.
"The new early bird service has great potential for tourism and for business as it means it is even easier than before to get to and from Mayo from Dublin and to make other train and travel connections such as flights and ferry connections. It is great news for the West."
In February of this year, in response to a unanimous resolution proposed by Labour's Cllr Martin, Westport's Town Clerk wrote to all of Mayo's Local Authorities and Chambers of Commerce soliciting their support for the campaign. The campaign received the full support of Westport Chamber of Commerce, Castlebar Town Council and Castlebar and Ballyhaunis' Chambers of Commerce.
The campaign was begun by the Council in light of Irish Rail's failure to provide a date for the promised extra rail services on the Dublin-Mayo line. These additional services were to include an early bird service.
Cllr Martin concluded saying he wanted to thank all the councillors, councils and chambers of commerce who lent their support to Westport Town Council's campaign.
086 0691182
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I need your help please
Re; Sponsorship Opportunity – Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009
My name is Thomas Chambers, I am participating of the Strasbourg Freedom Drive campaign organised by the European Network on Independent Living and the Centre for Independent Living, Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7. The Centre for Independent Living is an organisation supporting people with physical disabilities in order to achieve independent living.
The Independent Living movement is a world-wide community fighting for equal rights, opportunities, choices and responsibilities of disabled people around the world. It is indeed a very strong European movement liaising with MEPs since 2003.
Strasbourg Freedom Drive is a lobbying campaign attended by people with disabilities from all Europe aiming to establish a relationship between the participants and their national Members of EU Parliament. It is a unique lobbying exercise happening every second year since 2003. A rally on the building of the EU Parliament takes place as well and usually results in a meeting with the Disability Intergroup.
The Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 will take place in Strasbourg from 14th September to 18th September. All participants of the campaign have to cover the costs related to the trip to Strasbourg individually by fundraising or out of their own pocket. This is especially difficult task during the economic downturn Ireland is facing at the moment.
I would like you to consider supporting me and my Personal Assistant in participation of this year’s rally as in any way you can.
For more information about the campaign, please visit the following website:
http://www.dublincil.org/eu_&_international.html
Thank you for giving this your consideration.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
Tom Chambers
My name is Thomas Chambers, I am participating of the Strasbourg Freedom Drive campaign organised by the European Network on Independent Living and the Centre for Independent Living, Carmichael Centre, Dublin 7. The Centre for Independent Living is an organisation supporting people with physical disabilities in order to achieve independent living.
The Independent Living movement is a world-wide community fighting for equal rights, opportunities, choices and responsibilities of disabled people around the world. It is indeed a very strong European movement liaising with MEPs since 2003.
Strasbourg Freedom Drive is a lobbying campaign attended by people with disabilities from all Europe aiming to establish a relationship between the participants and their national Members of EU Parliament. It is a unique lobbying exercise happening every second year since 2003. A rally on the building of the EU Parliament takes place as well and usually results in a meeting with the Disability Intergroup.
The Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 will take place in Strasbourg from 14th September to 18th September. All participants of the campaign have to cover the costs related to the trip to Strasbourg individually by fundraising or out of their own pocket. This is especially difficult task during the economic downturn Ireland is facing at the moment.
I would like you to consider supporting me and my Personal Assistant in participation of this year’s rally as in any way you can.
For more information about the campaign, please visit the following website:
http://www.dublincil.org/eu_&_international.html
Thank you for giving this your consideration.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
Tom Chambers
Monday, July 06, 2009
US visitors put off by high costs
Friday July 03 2009
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
US visitors put off by high costs
Friday July 03 2009
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Ireland in five years. Each time we rented a car, stayed in B&Bs, ate in pubs and restaurants, took tours to the Aran Islands, the Skelligs, the Saltees and such, and did some shopping. In US dollars, petrol is $6.50 a US gallon. B&Bs cost an average of $58 per person per night. The least expensive cup of coffee I found was in a community centre and was $2.00 (It was usually $3 to $4). It is difficult to eat adequately in a pub for less than $20 per person and that doesn't include drinks. A pint of Guinness was around $6.50 in most pubs.
Overall, I would estimate that Ireland is about double the cost of making an equivalent trip in the US, and this doesn't take into account the round trip airfare which was approximately $1,000 per person. Even if the US dollar was equal to the euro, Ireland would still be expensive.
We love Ireland; however, until prices become more reasonable vis-à-vis the dollar, I'm afraid that we will not be back any time soon. I venture to guess that many other Americans feel the same.
As tourism is at the top of the Irish economy, the cost of touring Ireland could become a serious threat.
VC Joffrion
North Carolina, USA
Thursday, July 02, 2009
THE CORN CRAKE by Pat Watson
THE CORN CRAKE
When we were young in the nineteen fifties we used to discuss what the birds said. We could never agree about the black bird, the thrush or indeed any other songbird but we all knew what the corncrake said. He went 'grake grake, grake grake, grake grake' and everybody knew that meant, stand back, stand back, stand back. At that time there was a corncrake in every field in Ireland. At this time there was a certain young girl who had just turned sixteen and she had her mother annoyed to let her go to a dance in the town but there was no way her mother would agree as she did not have a chaperone and towns fellows were not to be trusted.
Then luck struck. The local GAA club hired a big tent in which to run a carnival for two weeks and it was close by the girl's house. Now she could go dancing. She cycled to town and bought a lovely piece of material and a pattern. The material was spread
out on the kitchen table, the pattern carefully spread on top. There was great excitement. The mother was jitterier than the daughter. They had just got in the electricity. They had a brand new singer sewing machine. We will put in shoulder pads and you can wear your new bra. I will lend you my black patent belt to match the shoes; sure it would go twice round your little waist.'
These were modern times. For the moment meals were suspended. The men could grumble and wait. Oh it was wonderful, Harry Belafonte was singing on the wireless,
'I see woman on bended knee, cutting cane for her family,' 'Well God be with the days.' 'I see man by the waterside, casting nets at the surging tide.' 'He might as well be, as looking for a bit to eat round here.' In spite of those unhelpful remarks and a few minor glitches the needlework classes paid off, the project was successful and the dress was completed. Now for the hair! All hell broke loose.
After tea, her mother rolled her hair on her
finger and held each curl in place with a pipe
cleaner. It took ages and was sometimes painful
but there were no complaints. You have to suffer
to be beautiful.
Next day, when the pipe cleaners were removed the
hair brushed out perfectly. On the night when she
put on the multi-coloured dress over the new bra,
with the shoulder pads and the patent belt, she
was beautiful. Even the hungry grumblers agreed.
'Mammy' she said, 'what is it a Gra?' (Love)
'If a boy wants to walk me home after the dance, will it be alright?'
'I suppose as the place is well lit up and if he is a nice respectable country boy, it will.'
'Mammy.' 'What is it now child?' 'If the boy wants to kiss me will I let him?'
The mother thought for a moment, her mind was racing, racing back to her own youth, her dreams, her dilemmas, her desires, 'You can if you both agree to obey the corncrake and when he calls stand back you're to stand back.'
As it happened, the boy who walked her home on the night was a friend of mine and next morning I waylaid him. 'Well how did you get on?' 'How did I get on?' says he, with some agitation. 'I'll tell you how I got on! You know as well as I know that the sweet girl lives only a hundred yards from the marquee, and I walked her home all
of five miles but we never did get away from the blooming corncrake.'
'The Corn Crake' is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. First published in May, 2006.
To get your copy email the author here:
When we were young in the nineteen fifties we used to discuss what the birds said. We could never agree about the black bird, the thrush or indeed any other songbird but we all knew what the corncrake said. He went 'grake grake, grake grake, grake grake' and everybody knew that meant, stand back, stand back, stand back. At that time there was a corncrake in every field in Ireland. At this time there was a certain young girl who had just turned sixteen and she had her mother annoyed to let her go to a dance in the town but there was no way her mother would agree as she did not have a chaperone and towns fellows were not to be trusted.
Then luck struck. The local GAA club hired a big tent in which to run a carnival for two weeks and it was close by the girl's house. Now she could go dancing. She cycled to town and bought a lovely piece of material and a pattern. The material was spread
out on the kitchen table, the pattern carefully spread on top. There was great excitement. The mother was jitterier than the daughter. They had just got in the electricity. They had a brand new singer sewing machine. We will put in shoulder pads and you can wear your new bra. I will lend you my black patent belt to match the shoes; sure it would go twice round your little waist.'
These were modern times. For the moment meals were suspended. The men could grumble and wait. Oh it was wonderful, Harry Belafonte was singing on the wireless,
'I see woman on bended knee, cutting cane for her family,' 'Well God be with the days.' 'I see man by the waterside, casting nets at the surging tide.' 'He might as well be, as looking for a bit to eat round here.' In spite of those unhelpful remarks and a few minor glitches the needlework classes paid off, the project was successful and the dress was completed. Now for the hair! All hell broke loose.
After tea, her mother rolled her hair on her
finger and held each curl in place with a pipe
cleaner. It took ages and was sometimes painful
but there were no complaints. You have to suffer
to be beautiful.
Next day, when the pipe cleaners were removed the
hair brushed out perfectly. On the night when she
put on the multi-coloured dress over the new bra,
with the shoulder pads and the patent belt, she
was beautiful. Even the hungry grumblers agreed.
'Mammy' she said, 'what is it a Gra?' (Love)
'If a boy wants to walk me home after the dance, will it be alright?'
'I suppose as the place is well lit up and if he is a nice respectable country boy, it will.'
'Mammy.' 'What is it now child?' 'If the boy wants to kiss me will I let him?'
The mother thought for a moment, her mind was racing, racing back to her own youth, her dreams, her dilemmas, her desires, 'You can if you both agree to obey the corncrake and when he calls stand back you're to stand back.'
As it happened, the boy who walked her home on the night was a friend of mine and next morning I waylaid him. 'Well how did you get on?' 'How did I get on?' says he, with some agitation. 'I'll tell you how I got on! You know as well as I know that the sweet girl lives only a hundred yards from the marquee, and I walked her home all
of five miles but we never did get away from the blooming corncrake.'
'The Corn Crake' is one of sixty lyrical yarns from 'Original Irish Stories' by Pat Watson, Creagh, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Ireland. First published in May, 2006.
To get your copy email the author here:
National News Home
By Tom Brady Security Editor
Tuesday June 30 2009
GARDAI will scale down the massive security presence at the Shell pipelaying project by the end of the week.
Some 300 gardai and two Naval Service vessels have been deployed at Glengad to keep the peace during the crucial phase of the work involving the pipelaying ship, the 'Solitaire', at Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo.
But with the shore work due to be completed on Sunday night, it is expected that the 40 to 50 'peace camp' protesters will dwindle significantly in the coming days.
None of those detained yesterday are from the local area and their protests did not interfere with the Shell project. However, they caused severe disruption to residents, who had to take detours to reach their homes.
One protest involved the demonstrators lying in star formation in the middle of the road with their arms encased inside two pieces of piping and then joining hands while chained with snap shackles.
Specially-trained gardai were brought in to free the protesters, using equipment such as angle grinders, without causing any harm.
The three-hour operation to remove the demonstrators from the road ended at 1am yesterday -- four hours after the latest pipelaying phase had ended.
Taxpayers have paid €15m so far in garda overtime to police the project.
Nine protesters were arrested by gardai following two other roadblocking demonstrations at the weekend. They appeared in Ballina District Court at 5.30pm yesterday. Two were released on bail and the others were remanded in custody until Friday.
- Tom Brady Security Editor
Tuesday June 30 2009
GARDAI will scale down the massive security presence at the Shell pipelaying project by the end of the week.
Some 300 gardai and two Naval Service vessels have been deployed at Glengad to keep the peace during the crucial phase of the work involving the pipelaying ship, the 'Solitaire', at Broadhaven Bay, Co Mayo.
But with the shore work due to be completed on Sunday night, it is expected that the 40 to 50 'peace camp' protesters will dwindle significantly in the coming days.
None of those detained yesterday are from the local area and their protests did not interfere with the Shell project. However, they caused severe disruption to residents, who had to take detours to reach their homes.
One protest involved the demonstrators lying in star formation in the middle of the road with their arms encased inside two pieces of piping and then joining hands while chained with snap shackles.
Specially-trained gardai were brought in to free the protesters, using equipment such as angle grinders, without causing any harm.
The three-hour operation to remove the demonstrators from the road ended at 1am yesterday -- four hours after the latest pipelaying phase had ended.
Taxpayers have paid €15m so far in garda overtime to police the project.
Nine protesters were arrested by gardai following two other roadblocking demonstrations at the weekend. They appeared in Ballina District Court at 5.30pm yesterday. Two were released on bail and the others were remanded in custody until Friday.
- Tom Brady Security Editor
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) chairman
By Caitrina Cody
Thursday July 02 2009
ROAD safety tsar Gay Byrne yesterday admitted to drinking and driving in the past but said it was part of the Irish culture at the time.
He also confided he used to regularly drive home while over the limit, sometimes after presenting the 'Late Late Show'.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) chairman made the surprising admission as he continues to campaign for responsible driving.
Great
"I remember the days when I drove home from the 'Late Late Show' late at night -- the great thing in those days was to have a drink or two, or three, in the green room with the guests to thank them for coming and all that," he said.
"Undoubtedly I was over the limit, night after night, until at some stage I was told by the controller of programmes that I wasn't to drive myself home from the show anymore, drunk or sober," recalled Mr Byrne.
The former RTE presenter said his behaviour would have been viewed as perfectly acceptable back in the 1980s.
"Certainly 10 years ago, perhaps even five years ago, if you told your pals that you had had 17 large brandies last night and drove yourself home -- just about making it through the gate -- you probably would have been clapped on the back for it."
Mr Byrne was announcing details of a new six-month RSA campaign to promote road safety when he made the comments and said that Ireland is currently undergoing huge cultural changes.
"I believe that most people in Ireland are trying to be safer," he said.
"Many of us thought nothing about drinking and driving back in the day but that is definitely changing."
He said Irish drivers are now more conscientious about not drinking and driving.
Culture
"It's a huge adjustment for this country and shows that you can change a culture, slowly but surely."
Mr Byrne said when he looked back now he was grateful he never hurt anyone.
"Thank God I got away with it -- thank God that nothing ever happened to anyone," he said.
"It was simply the done thing then and nobody ever thought twice about it. They told you to take care, but not that you shouldn't be doing it."
Nowadays he says that he is lucky that his wife chooses not to drink alcohol.
"I'm blessed with a wife that has no interest in drinking and is prepared to do the driving for both of us."
Thursday July 02 2009
ROAD safety tsar Gay Byrne yesterday admitted to drinking and driving in the past but said it was part of the Irish culture at the time.
He also confided he used to regularly drive home while over the limit, sometimes after presenting the 'Late Late Show'.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) chairman made the surprising admission as he continues to campaign for responsible driving.
Great
"I remember the days when I drove home from the 'Late Late Show' late at night -- the great thing in those days was to have a drink or two, or three, in the green room with the guests to thank them for coming and all that," he said.
"Undoubtedly I was over the limit, night after night, until at some stage I was told by the controller of programmes that I wasn't to drive myself home from the show anymore, drunk or sober," recalled Mr Byrne.
The former RTE presenter said his behaviour would have been viewed as perfectly acceptable back in the 1980s.
"Certainly 10 years ago, perhaps even five years ago, if you told your pals that you had had 17 large brandies last night and drove yourself home -- just about making it through the gate -- you probably would have been clapped on the back for it."
Mr Byrne was announcing details of a new six-month RSA campaign to promote road safety when he made the comments and said that Ireland is currently undergoing huge cultural changes.
"I believe that most people in Ireland are trying to be safer," he said.
"Many of us thought nothing about drinking and driving back in the day but that is definitely changing."
He said Irish drivers are now more conscientious about not drinking and driving.
Culture
"It's a huge adjustment for this country and shows that you can change a culture, slowly but surely."
Mr Byrne said when he looked back now he was grateful he never hurt anyone.
"Thank God I got away with it -- thank God that nothing ever happened to anyone," he said.
"It was simply the done thing then and nobody ever thought twice about it. They told you to take care, but not that you shouldn't be doing it."
Nowadays he says that he is lucky that his wife chooses not to drink alcohol.
"I'm blessed with a wife that has no interest in drinking and is prepared to do the driving for both of us."
Monday, June 29, 2009
Inaccessible schools highlighted
MONDAY, 08 JUNE 2009
Edwin McGreal
WITH ten polling stations in Mayo listed as ‘are either inaccessible or pose difficulties for accessibility for those with disabilities’, Mayo disabled rights campaigner Tom Chambers has highlighted the problems these can create for children with disabilities.
“The ten stations listed are all national schools and while it brings up a big issue for people in those areas with a disability who want to vote, it brings up an even bigger problem for children who may have a disability in going to their local national school.
”At the minute there might be no children in those locations with disability issues but what happens if a young child comes to school age with a disability? They will have to go to another school and forsake their local school. Immediately they feel different,” said Chambers.
“It also brings about major problems for their parents in terms of time, bringing their children to a school which is not the nearest to their house. Politicians running for election need to take a more active role in making these schools accessible.”
There has been an improvement in accessibility since 2004, the last local elections, when 38 of the 240 polling stations were inaccessible. But, says Tom Chambers, this still isn’t good enough.
“Funding has been allocated but where has it been spent? We need to make every school/polling station accessible. It is not a lot to ask. Close to 10% of people in Mayo have a disability. They should not have to be inconvenienced like this.”
For the record the ten schools declared as inaccessible are Meelickmore, Ballycusheen, Shrule and Robeen (all Claremorris area); Currane, Carrowteigue, Doohoma (all Achill/Erris area); Rooskey and Barnacahogue (both Swinford) and Lecanvey (Westport area).
Edwin McGreal
WITH ten polling stations in Mayo listed as ‘are either inaccessible or pose difficulties for accessibility for those with disabilities’, Mayo disabled rights campaigner Tom Chambers has highlighted the problems these can create for children with disabilities.
“The ten stations listed are all national schools and while it brings up a big issue for people in those areas with a disability who want to vote, it brings up an even bigger problem for children who may have a disability in going to their local national school.
”At the minute there might be no children in those locations with disability issues but what happens if a young child comes to school age with a disability? They will have to go to another school and forsake their local school. Immediately they feel different,” said Chambers.
“It also brings about major problems for their parents in terms of time, bringing their children to a school which is not the nearest to their house. Politicians running for election need to take a more active role in making these schools accessible.”
There has been an improvement in accessibility since 2004, the last local elections, when 38 of the 240 polling stations were inaccessible. But, says Tom Chambers, this still isn’t good enough.
“Funding has been allocated but where has it been spent? We need to make every school/polling station accessible. It is not a lot to ask. Close to 10% of people in Mayo have a disability. They should not have to be inconvenienced like this.”
For the record the ten schools declared as inaccessible are Meelickmore, Ballycusheen, Shrule and Robeen (all Claremorris area); Currane, Carrowteigue, Doohoma (all Achill/Erris area); Rooskey and Barnacahogue (both Swinford) and Lecanvey (Westport area).
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Disabled man gets €3k over egg attack by rail staff
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Ireland: Windy with sunny spells and showers »
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A WHEELCHAIR user had an egg thrown at him by disgruntled rail staff, angry that he had to use the dining car when travelling on the train.
William Hennessy, who is in his 40s and now living in Dublin, was awarded €3,000 by the Equality Tribunal after it was found he had been harassed by staff attached to Network Catering on Irish Rail.
Mr Hennessy told the tribunal that a change in the regulations in 1999 meant he could no longer park his wheelchair in the baggage area of the train.
He had to park his wheelchair in a designated spot in the dining car, but as he needed a motorised wheelchair, which is larger than a manual wheelchair, space was tight and his wheelchair often jutted out into the aisle.
In addition to being refused access to the train on a number of occasions, Mr Hennessy said in the dining car he came to feel maligned by staff members who believed he was taking up space that might have been used by customers.
He said the service trolley was rammed into his wheelchair as it moved past, and staff would ask him to move, even though they knew he needed assistance.
On April 27, 2000, he exited the train at Kent Station in Cork and an egg was thrown at him from the direction of the dining car.
The Equality Tribunal said it was "an undisputed fact" that an egg was thrown after Mr Hennessy left the train on April 27, 2000, and that he ultimately received a written apology.
Irish Rail was ordered to display a visible notice that "passengers with disabilities are welcome to travel and enjoy the amenity of the train without interference".
Mr Hennessy welcomed the tribunal’s decision but said "the award will not even pay for one" wheel- chair damaged on the train.
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ireland: Windy with sunny spells and showers »
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A WHEELCHAIR user had an egg thrown at him by disgruntled rail staff, angry that he had to use the dining car when travelling on the train.
William Hennessy, who is in his 40s and now living in Dublin, was awarded €3,000 by the Equality Tribunal after it was found he had been harassed by staff attached to Network Catering on Irish Rail.
Mr Hennessy told the tribunal that a change in the regulations in 1999 meant he could no longer park his wheelchair in the baggage area of the train.
He had to park his wheelchair in a designated spot in the dining car, but as he needed a motorised wheelchair, which is larger than a manual wheelchair, space was tight and his wheelchair often jutted out into the aisle.
In addition to being refused access to the train on a number of occasions, Mr Hennessy said in the dining car he came to feel maligned by staff members who believed he was taking up space that might have been used by customers.
He said the service trolley was rammed into his wheelchair as it moved past, and staff would ask him to move, even though they knew he needed assistance.
On April 27, 2000, he exited the train at Kent Station in Cork and an egg was thrown at him from the direction of the dining car.
The Equality Tribunal said it was "an undisputed fact" that an egg was thrown after Mr Hennessy left the train on April 27, 2000, and that he ultimately received a written apology.
Irish Rail was ordered to display a visible notice that "passengers with disabilities are welcome to travel and enjoy the amenity of the train without interference".
Mr Hennessy welcomed the tribunal’s decision but said "the award will not even pay for one" wheel- chair damaged on the train.
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Albania – Women and Girls with Disabilities
Albania
Women in Albanian society are still being subject to discrimination. Women and girls with disabilities represent one of the most marginalised groups and subject to multiple discriminations. Unfortunately, little or almost nothing is said about the reality of their lives ant the policy framework of the country is failing to include, treat or provide solutions to elimination of this discrimination.
Women with disabilities are not being treated equally with other women. All laws and strategies about people with disabilities fail to include the gender perspective component and there are no efforts being made in relation to the gender equality. Women with disabilities do not have a voice in the formulation of government documents and policies. There is also lack of organisation of women with disabilities themselves.
In order to enhance the awareness of central and local institutions, non-for-profit organisations and all stakeholder groups in the areas of disability and gender equality, Albanian Disability Rights Foundation, supported by US Agency for International Development, organised the first national conference on the Human Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Albania. The conference took place in Tirana on 26th May 2009 and was attended by many representatives of governmental institutions and the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (this Department also supported organisation of this event).
A report compiled by the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation called “Women with Disability in Albania – Included or Neglected?” was launched at the conference and thee set of recommendations was presented. This report is available in CIL Carmichael House
Women in Albanian society are still being subject to discrimination. Women and girls with disabilities represent one of the most marginalised groups and subject to multiple discriminations. Unfortunately, little or almost nothing is said about the reality of their lives ant the policy framework of the country is failing to include, treat or provide solutions to elimination of this discrimination.
Women with disabilities are not being treated equally with other women. All laws and strategies about people with disabilities fail to include the gender perspective component and there are no efforts being made in relation to the gender equality. Women with disabilities do not have a voice in the formulation of government documents and policies. There is also lack of organisation of women with disabilities themselves.
In order to enhance the awareness of central and local institutions, non-for-profit organisations and all stakeholder groups in the areas of disability and gender equality, Albanian Disability Rights Foundation, supported by US Agency for International Development, organised the first national conference on the Human Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Albania. The conference took place in Tirana on 26th May 2009 and was attended by many representatives of governmental institutions and the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (this Department also supported organisation of this event).
A report compiled by the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation called “Women with Disability in Albania – Included or Neglected?” was launched at the conference and thee set of recommendations was presented. This report is available in CIL Carmichael House
Friday, June 05, 2009
Corrib protesters gear up for summer of unrest
Mayo Advertiser, June 05, 2009.
By Toni Bourke
Tensions in north Mayo have escalated once again with eight arrests over the weekend and one on Tuesday when a large number of protesters gathered for the summer Rossport Peace Camp. With the Solitaire due to arrive back in Mayo waters in the next month, the Rossport Solidarity Camp has taken up residence in Glengad in a bid to build up the resistance to Shell over the coming weeks and months. Mary Sweeney of the Rossport Solidarity Camp said: “Resistance in Mayo is building again. We’re expecting many waterborne activists from across Europe to arrive over the following weeks. The Solitaire will leave Irish waters once again with no pipeline laid.”
While Shell to Sea claim over 200 people from the local community and the Rossport Solidarity summer camp gathered at the weekend to attempt to dismantle Shell’s compound at Glengad, the gardaí have the figure at just over 100.
Seven men and one woman were arrested and brought to Ballina Garda Station for public order offences. Gardaí on duty in the area were backed up by the Public Order Unit who were confronted by the protesters. The eight have been charged and are due to appear before Belmullet District Court on June 10.
These actions came the day after Maura Harrington was released from jail for the non-payment of fines.
On Tuesday a man was arrested after dredging work in Broadhaven Bay was delayed by up to an hour. According to Shell to Sea the dredgers arrived in the bay on Monday evening and had been working continuously through the night. Two Shell to Sea protesters occupied a crane on the ‘Razende Bol’, one of the dredging boats preparing a channel for the off-shore pipeline in Broadhaven Bay. Work on the dredging was completely halted. The other dredger and its accompanying sea barge were moved out of the immediate area.
The same evening a group of 12 Irish Flotilla canoeists evaded the security powerboats and two police ribs protecting the works and reached the side of the vessel. They climbed aboard and gained access to the dredging arm where they sat for 10 hours. On Wednesday they ended their protest.
IBEC West Regional Director John Brennan has said the controversy surrounding the project has meant the regional and national significance of the project is being overlooked.
“Ireland is 90 per cent dependent on imported gas. Power plants fuelled by natural gas generate more than 60 per cent of our electricity. This makes us highly reliant on gas supply from other countries. Ireland is at the end of a very long supply chain, which exposes us to risks of supply interruption and price volatility. If anything were to occur that disrupted this supply, we would have a serious energy crisis in this country. Many tend to overlook the fact that the Corrib gas field will supply up to 60 per cent of Ireland’s gas needs at peak production,” Mr Brennan outlined.
EU North West candidate Fiacra Ó Luain has offered his support to the protesters saying he will defend them in anyway he can. He challenged the other candidates in today’s election to make public their policies with regard to Ireland’s off-shore oil and gas.
All this comes in the same week that TV3 aired a documentary by journalist Paul Williams about the Corrib controversy. In it Fr Kevin Hegarty highlighted the financial investment the Shell project has brought to Erris while adding that the protesters only represent one per cent of the local community. Paul Williams himself and Chief Superintendent Tony McNamara spoke of the paramilitary style damage that was caused at the terminal this year. Dublin Shell to Sea have dubbed the documentary as “shockingly biased”.
By Toni Bourke
Tensions in north Mayo have escalated once again with eight arrests over the weekend and one on Tuesday when a large number of protesters gathered for the summer Rossport Peace Camp. With the Solitaire due to arrive back in Mayo waters in the next month, the Rossport Solidarity Camp has taken up residence in Glengad in a bid to build up the resistance to Shell over the coming weeks and months. Mary Sweeney of the Rossport Solidarity Camp said: “Resistance in Mayo is building again. We’re expecting many waterborne activists from across Europe to arrive over the following weeks. The Solitaire will leave Irish waters once again with no pipeline laid.”
While Shell to Sea claim over 200 people from the local community and the Rossport Solidarity summer camp gathered at the weekend to attempt to dismantle Shell’s compound at Glengad, the gardaí have the figure at just over 100.
Seven men and one woman were arrested and brought to Ballina Garda Station for public order offences. Gardaí on duty in the area were backed up by the Public Order Unit who were confronted by the protesters. The eight have been charged and are due to appear before Belmullet District Court on June 10.
These actions came the day after Maura Harrington was released from jail for the non-payment of fines.
On Tuesday a man was arrested after dredging work in Broadhaven Bay was delayed by up to an hour. According to Shell to Sea the dredgers arrived in the bay on Monday evening and had been working continuously through the night. Two Shell to Sea protesters occupied a crane on the ‘Razende Bol’, one of the dredging boats preparing a channel for the off-shore pipeline in Broadhaven Bay. Work on the dredging was completely halted. The other dredger and its accompanying sea barge were moved out of the immediate area.
The same evening a group of 12 Irish Flotilla canoeists evaded the security powerboats and two police ribs protecting the works and reached the side of the vessel. They climbed aboard and gained access to the dredging arm where they sat for 10 hours. On Wednesday they ended their protest.
IBEC West Regional Director John Brennan has said the controversy surrounding the project has meant the regional and national significance of the project is being overlooked.
“Ireland is 90 per cent dependent on imported gas. Power plants fuelled by natural gas generate more than 60 per cent of our electricity. This makes us highly reliant on gas supply from other countries. Ireland is at the end of a very long supply chain, which exposes us to risks of supply interruption and price volatility. If anything were to occur that disrupted this supply, we would have a serious energy crisis in this country. Many tend to overlook the fact that the Corrib gas field will supply up to 60 per cent of Ireland’s gas needs at peak production,” Mr Brennan outlined.
EU North West candidate Fiacra Ó Luain has offered his support to the protesters saying he will defend them in anyway he can. He challenged the other candidates in today’s election to make public their policies with regard to Ireland’s off-shore oil and gas.
All this comes in the same week that TV3 aired a documentary by journalist Paul Williams about the Corrib controversy. In it Fr Kevin Hegarty highlighted the financial investment the Shell project has brought to Erris while adding that the protesters only represent one per cent of the local community. Paul Williams himself and Chief Superintendent Tony McNamara spoke of the paramilitary style damage that was caused at the terminal this year. Dublin Shell to Sea have dubbed the documentary as “shockingly biased”.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Hotels and the Disabled
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
“For disabled tourists facing into a journey, fear of the unknown is often a key element. Not being aware of the accessibility status of places and venues can easily undermine the will to travel.”
Tom Chambers
TOURISM is missing out on millions or euros annually, because of its failure to cater for the needs of the disabled according to a survey carried out by the University of Ulster, ‘School of Built Environment’.
The survey found that while staff, at tourist offices was helpful, less than half could offer useful advice. Disabled visitors are left to hope for the best, the survey warned and it added that not only is it bad for the tourism, it is bad for business.
Many critics in Westport, including myself, have called on the tourist trade here to wake up to the fact that disabled tourists are lucrative customers. Research indicates that there are over 55 million people with disability resident in the European Union alone.
That figure points to the potential size of the market. For disabled tourists facing into a journey, fear of the unknown is often a key element. Not being aware of the accessibility status of places and venues can easily undermine the will to travel.
The life of a disabled person such as I is effectively controlled by that of the able-bodied world. But what is the right of a disabled person? Are we safe having our lives structured, or can we also be leaders of such vital legislation?
For tourists with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairment, what has a town like Westport, having the title of ‘Tidiest Town in Ireland’ to offer the disabled? What is the point in dressing up if there is nowhere to go? By this I mean are the pubs, hotels, toilets, swimming pools, cinemas, public library, post office, B and Bs, restaurants, takeaways, GAA pitches, heritage centres, parking facilities all universally accessible?
Westport Tourist Office is the only Tourist Office in Co Mayo open the whole year, yet it is totally inaccessible for people with disabilities.
It can be so frustrating. Ask any person with a disability if they have tried to book a room with a level access shower? Not easy, is it?
You call a hotel with a wheelchair sign in the guide and the conversation goes something like this: ‘Do you have accessible rooms?”’ If the answer is yes, the next question is ‘do you have level access showers?‘.
The answer will range from ‘What do you mean?’ to ‘Well it does have a ledge?’ to ‘No, but we do have baths and the room is wheelchair-friendly’.
If you are lucky enough to get a positive reply and there is a level access shower the next question you might ask is ‘Do they have a shower chair?‘.
Silence for a minute, then this leads to another ‘What do you mean?‘. How difficult is it to understand that people who can’t walk or stand needs something to sit on in a shower, preferably a shower chair. And how are you supposed to get into a bath when your legs can’t work. You will travel the length and breadth of this country looking for a hotel with both a level access shower and a shower wheelchair.
So I decided to contact Fáilte Ireland which administers what it calls the Validated Accessible Scheme (VAS). This scheme is designed to encourage hotels to be more accessible to people with disabilities. VAS has 4 categories ranging from category 1, which is for people with enough mobility to walk into a room, to category 4, where the guest requires assistance to shower, etc.
Fáilte Ireland informed me that 29 Irish hotels have registered with the scheme. The Irish Federation has a membership of approximately 800 hotels. This would mean that at most 3.6% of their hotels are in the scheme .
Why is the performance not better? Well first of all it’s a commercial issue. If a hotel doesn’t need to spend what ever little extra it costs to build a wheelchair-friendly room why should they bother? But hold it there - surely we have legislation which requires hotels to provide specific facilities for the disabled?
Tom Chambers is a wheelchair bound disability campaigner who lives in Newport.
“For disabled tourists facing into a journey, fear of the unknown is often a key element. Not being aware of the accessibility status of places and venues can easily undermine the will to travel.”
Tom Chambers
TOURISM is missing out on millions or euros annually, because of its failure to cater for the needs of the disabled according to a survey carried out by the University of Ulster, ‘School of Built Environment’.
The survey found that while staff, at tourist offices was helpful, less than half could offer useful advice. Disabled visitors are left to hope for the best, the survey warned and it added that not only is it bad for the tourism, it is bad for business.
Many critics in Westport, including myself, have called on the tourist trade here to wake up to the fact that disabled tourists are lucrative customers. Research indicates that there are over 55 million people with disability resident in the European Union alone.
That figure points to the potential size of the market. For disabled tourists facing into a journey, fear of the unknown is often a key element. Not being aware of the accessibility status of places and venues can easily undermine the will to travel.
The life of a disabled person such as I is effectively controlled by that of the able-bodied world. But what is the right of a disabled person? Are we safe having our lives structured, or can we also be leaders of such vital legislation?
For tourists with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairment, what has a town like Westport, having the title of ‘Tidiest Town in Ireland’ to offer the disabled? What is the point in dressing up if there is nowhere to go? By this I mean are the pubs, hotels, toilets, swimming pools, cinemas, public library, post office, B and Bs, restaurants, takeaways, GAA pitches, heritage centres, parking facilities all universally accessible?
Westport Tourist Office is the only Tourist Office in Co Mayo open the whole year, yet it is totally inaccessible for people with disabilities.
It can be so frustrating. Ask any person with a disability if they have tried to book a room with a level access shower? Not easy, is it?
You call a hotel with a wheelchair sign in the guide and the conversation goes something like this: ‘Do you have accessible rooms?”’ If the answer is yes, the next question is ‘do you have level access showers?‘.
The answer will range from ‘What do you mean?’ to ‘Well it does have a ledge?’ to ‘No, but we do have baths and the room is wheelchair-friendly’.
If you are lucky enough to get a positive reply and there is a level access shower the next question you might ask is ‘Do they have a shower chair?‘.
Silence for a minute, then this leads to another ‘What do you mean?‘. How difficult is it to understand that people who can’t walk or stand needs something to sit on in a shower, preferably a shower chair. And how are you supposed to get into a bath when your legs can’t work. You will travel the length and breadth of this country looking for a hotel with both a level access shower and a shower wheelchair.
So I decided to contact Fáilte Ireland which administers what it calls the Validated Accessible Scheme (VAS). This scheme is designed to encourage hotels to be more accessible to people with disabilities. VAS has 4 categories ranging from category 1, which is for people with enough mobility to walk into a room, to category 4, where the guest requires assistance to shower, etc.
Fáilte Ireland informed me that 29 Irish hotels have registered with the scheme. The Irish Federation has a membership of approximately 800 hotels. This would mean that at most 3.6% of their hotels are in the scheme .
Why is the performance not better? Well first of all it’s a commercial issue. If a hotel doesn’t need to spend what ever little extra it costs to build a wheelchair-friendly room why should they bother? But hold it there - surely we have legislation which requires hotels to provide specific facilities for the disabled?
Tom Chambers is a wheelchair bound disability campaigner who lives in Newport.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Almost half of those living with arthritis in the west are ‘too sore to socialise’
Mayo Advertiser, May 01, 2009.
By Toni Bourke
The first nationwide survey on patient wellbeing and relationships, conducted by Arthritis Ireland and sponsored by Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals (Ireland), shows almost one in two (45.8 per cent) people with arthritis can no longer participate in social activities they used to enjoy, while one in three (31.3 per cent) are worried about how their condition has affected their appearance. The survey, which was conducted among 128 people with arthritis in seven rheumatology clinics around the country throughout 2008, shows the debilitating effect of arthritis on people as everyday life becomes difficult or impossible to maintain.
The survey gives an insight into the emotional wellbeing of people in the west with arthritis, revealing that one in three (32.7 per cent) say they are sad and depressed while two out of five (40.8 per cent) admit that sometimes it is hard to keep going and that their arthritis is a constant worry for them. One survey respondent declared: “I feel like arthritis has changed me from a normally positive, healthy, person to a depressed, lonely, fed-up, irritable person finding it hard to keep it together.”
Respondents who were in relationships discussed the impact that their arthritis has had on their relationship. Over one in three (35.7 per cent) believe their condition has had a negative impact on intimacy with their spouse or partner, with some stating they no longer have an active sex life. One survey respondent said: “We no longer have an active sex life but cuddling is also a bit curtailed which I regret.” Noticeably, for those respondents who are separated, divorced, or living apart, one in two (50 per cent) believe their arthritis was a contributing factor to their relationship break-up.
In response to the survey findings, Arthritis Ireland has produced a free support booklet entitled Coping with Emotions which offers support and advice on dealing with the emotions that accompany a diagnosis of arthritis. It is available by contacting Arthritis Ireland on LoCall 1890 252 846 or can be downloaded on www.arthritisireland.ie. Arthritis Ireland also provides a confidential helpline for people with arthritis, their families, carers, friends, and health professionals. It can be contacted from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday on LoCall 1890 252 846.
By Toni Bourke
The first nationwide survey on patient wellbeing and relationships, conducted by Arthritis Ireland and sponsored by Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals (Ireland), shows almost one in two (45.8 per cent) people with arthritis can no longer participate in social activities they used to enjoy, while one in three (31.3 per cent) are worried about how their condition has affected their appearance. The survey, which was conducted among 128 people with arthritis in seven rheumatology clinics around the country throughout 2008, shows the debilitating effect of arthritis on people as everyday life becomes difficult or impossible to maintain.
The survey gives an insight into the emotional wellbeing of people in the west with arthritis, revealing that one in three (32.7 per cent) say they are sad and depressed while two out of five (40.8 per cent) admit that sometimes it is hard to keep going and that their arthritis is a constant worry for them. One survey respondent declared: “I feel like arthritis has changed me from a normally positive, healthy, person to a depressed, lonely, fed-up, irritable person finding it hard to keep it together.”
Respondents who were in relationships discussed the impact that their arthritis has had on their relationship. Over one in three (35.7 per cent) believe their condition has had a negative impact on intimacy with their spouse or partner, with some stating they no longer have an active sex life. One survey respondent said: “We no longer have an active sex life but cuddling is also a bit curtailed which I regret.” Noticeably, for those respondents who are separated, divorced, or living apart, one in two (50 per cent) believe their arthritis was a contributing factor to their relationship break-up.
In response to the survey findings, Arthritis Ireland has produced a free support booklet entitled Coping with Emotions which offers support and advice on dealing with the emotions that accompany a diagnosis of arthritis. It is available by contacting Arthritis Ireland on LoCall 1890 252 846 or can be downloaded on www.arthritisireland.ie. Arthritis Ireland also provides a confidential helpline for people with arthritis, their families, carers, friends, and health professionals. It can be contacted from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday on LoCall 1890 252 846.
Castlebar man disqualified and fined for parking in disabled spot
Castlebar man disqualified and fined for parking in disabled spot
Mayo Advertiser, May 01, 2009.
A Castlebar man who parked in a disabled space while he went to visit relatives was disqualified from driving for six months and convicted and fined €500 at Ballina District Court on Tuesday.
Garda Melanie McGowan received a report on October 21 2008 at 6.15pm that a Honda van was parked in a disabled spot outside houses in Healy Terrace, Ballina. On arrival at the scene, Garda McGowan observed that no disability badge was displayed on the van before she spoke to the owner of the car, Brian Lawrence, 95 Manor Village, Castlebar.
Lawrence told the garda that he was visiting a relative and parked in the spot, which is for a disabled woman who lives in the houses nearby.
The unemployed man was convicted, fined, and disqualified by Judge Mary Devins. Recognisances were fixed.
Wreath laying to mark May Day and Michael Davitt
Friends and supporters of the Labour Party watch as Cllr Keith Martin and David Fallon of the Westport Labour Party lay a wreath at the Michael Davitt memorial on the Newport Road, Westport to mark May Day and the contribution of Michael Davitt to the Labour movement.
Ballina councillors question work on disability plan
Mayo Advertiser, May 01, 2009.
By Colm Gannon
While welcoming a report on the disability strategic plan for Mayo County Council at their monthly meeting last week, a number of Ballina councillors raised concerns about the work being done outside public buildings in relation to disability issues in the town.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Johnny O’Malley told the meeting: “Myself and Cllr Peter Clarke were elected to a committee before in relation to disability issues after the last local elections, but the committee have never met. I’m a bit surprised by this plan and how it doesn’t take into account other things in the council’s control, like paths, dipped crossings, audio pedestrian crossings, and car parking spaces, even to ensure the provision of disabled toilets under planning permission. I would also like to think that we would be able to develop a plan where we would plan to put in both Braille and audio books in our libraries for people with a particular need.”
Sinn Féin Cllr Peter Clarke echoed his fellow councillor’s disappointment that the committee never met. “I’m very disappointed that this committee we were appointed to has never met. I have gone out with Tom Chambers, Newport, a disability campaigner and walked through the streets of Ballina and got him to point out things in the town that are not accessible or hard to access for disabled people. Which there are many.” Cllr Clarke also asked the town council if there was a disability audit for the town and if it would be made available to the councillors. He was told later in the meeting there is an audit and it would be given to the councillors.
Cllr Mary Kelly told the meeting: “I welcome the plan but there is still an awful lot of work to be done, we have to ensure that there is no discrimination against people because they may be disabled. But I am disappointed that it has taken from November 2006 to now to get where we currently are with this report. We have to ensure that we have housing that is accessible for disabled people so they can live comfortably. Great credit must be given to those people who are out there every day campaigning on behalf of those with disabilities.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr Padraig Moore also expressed his disappointment that two of his fellow councillors had been appointed to a committee that had never met. “I’m frustrated and confused to hear that two of the councillors have been appointed to a committee that has never met and will not meet before this council ends. I’m also frustrated that this is the result of three years work and we have so much more to do.”
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Human Rights Abuse in Australian Institution
A photo was published on 16th March 2009 showing an Australian residential care worker found asleep in a resident’s bed. A carer kicked a severely disabled woman out of her bed, changed into her own pyjamas, climbed into the woman’s bed and went to sleep.
The carer was discovered ion the morning by another support worker who was to replace her on the morning shift. The disabled woman was sitting in the kitchen all night. The residential care centre conducted an external investigation of the incident. The carer was cautioned and returned to overnight shifts.
This is a perfect example of human rights abuse, as the fact that the carer kicked out a resident out of her own bed didn’t matter – all that was investigated was the fact that the carer slept during her shift, which potentially endangered the residents.
The carer was discovered ion the morning by another support worker who was to replace her on the morning shift. The disabled woman was sitting in the kitchen all night. The residential care centre conducted an external investigation of the incident. The carer was cautioned and returned to overnight shifts.
This is a perfect example of human rights abuse, as the fact that the carer kicked out a resident out of her own bed didn’t matter – all that was investigated was the fact that the carer slept during her shift, which potentially endangered the residents.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Motorist parked in disabled space
From the Connaught Telegraph March 31st Edition
Motorist parked in disabled space
A SLIGO man with 13 previous traffic convictions was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment at Ballina Co. Mayo district Court last week.
The court heard Gregory Lynagh, Cullens, Sligo, was parked in a disabled parking bay at Abbey Street, Ballina, when Garda Martin McNicholas observed that his vehicle had no insurance disc or NCT disc.
The tax disc had expired in June of 2006. The defendant had 13 previous traffic convictions. The defendant told Judge Mary Devins he was parked in the disabled bay for 5 minutes when he went to buy a bag of chips.
There was no parking elsewhere in the area. He said he was unemployed and lived on his own in Dromore West. Judge Mary Devins told the defendant he could park his car elsewhere and walked to the chip shop instead of parking in a disabled bay.
She fined him €1,000 for not having insurance and disqualified him from driving for 5 years and sentenced him to 28 days imprisonment.
In relation to not having his car taxed, no NCT or driving license, Judge Devins fined the defendant a total of €900.
Motorist parked in disabled space
A SLIGO man with 13 previous traffic convictions was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment at Ballina Co. Mayo district Court last week.
The court heard Gregory Lynagh, Cullens, Sligo, was parked in a disabled parking bay at Abbey Street, Ballina, when Garda Martin McNicholas observed that his vehicle had no insurance disc or NCT disc.
The tax disc had expired in June of 2006. The defendant had 13 previous traffic convictions. The defendant told Judge Mary Devins he was parked in the disabled bay for 5 minutes when he went to buy a bag of chips.
There was no parking elsewhere in the area. He said he was unemployed and lived on his own in Dromore West. Judge Mary Devins told the defendant he could park his car elsewhere and walked to the chip shop instead of parking in a disabled bay.
She fined him €1,000 for not having insurance and disqualified him from driving for 5 years and sentenced him to 28 days imprisonment.
In relation to not having his car taxed, no NCT or driving license, Judge Devins fined the defendant a total of €900.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)