spokeout - Irish Wheelchair Association · 2012-03-14 · €4.00 Summer 2009 Farming with a...

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€4.00 Summer 2009 Dublin artist exhibits in Monaco How to pass the driving test Farming with a disability Match Day spoke out Lifestyle magazine for people with limited mobility published by the Irish Wheelchair Association CROKE PARK REVIEWS SPECTATOR ACCESS

Transcript of spokeout - Irish Wheelchair Association · 2012-03-14 · €4.00 Summer 2009 Farming with a...

Page 1: spokeout - Irish Wheelchair Association · 2012-03-14 · €4.00 Summer 2009 Farming with a disability Dublin artist exhibits in Monaco How to pass the driving test Match Day spokeout

€4.00 Summer 2009

Dublin artist exhibits in Monaco How to pass the driving testFarming with a disability

Match Day

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

CROKE PARK REVIEWS SPECTATOR ACCESS

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Reaching new heights of passenger satisfaction

OCS offers dedicated services to the aviation industry and is associated with the very highest levels of service for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM), airport terminal services and aviation security.

OCS is the name behind some of the leading airports and airlines and our 40 years of experience means we are perfectly placed to stay one step ahead in an ever changing industry. We offer dedicated services at Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports to ensure all passengers with reduced mobility receive a professional, courteous and safe passage through the airport both onto the aircraft and upon arrival.

Call us on 01 814 5900 to speak to one of our specialists to see how you can start a successful journey together with OCS www.ocsireland.com

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Contents

4

24

7LIVING28 The pollen season

Reducing the nuisance of pollen-related allergies

30 Disability entitlements and youWho is entitled to Disability Allowance and how to apply

33 Clever clothing aidsA selection of items to aid comfortand ease when dressing

36 Learning to driveTips from an instructor on learningto drive and passing the test

SPORT39 Getting physical

Reformed couch potato FinolaKelly on how exercise haschanged her life

42 Into the blueGary Allen takes his love of watera step further when he triesSCUBA diving

NEWS45 News mix

Disability-related news mix

COVER FEATURE4 Stadium access

Pilot scheme to improve spectatorexperience at Croke Park

FEATURES7 On the farm

Wheelchair user James Clarke onfarming with a disability

10 Landscapes of the mindWatercolourist Mary Collins onhow she discovered her passionfor painting

CAREERS & EDUCATION13 College ambitions

Law-student Sinead O’Donnellgives advice on how to approachthird-level education

16 Keeping things in focusRory O’Connell on why he decidedto pursue his love of photography

ACCESS19 Taking action:

Regional bus servicesAdvocating for better public transport in Co Clare

20 Getting outA comic take on the perils ofsocialising

TRAVEL23 Holidaying at home

Accessible accommodation in Ireland

24 City of bridgesGary Allen explores Venice

27 A warm welcome at CuisleFind out more about IWA’snational holiday centre and win afour-night stay

49 IWA Annual Conference 2009A report on the recent IWA AnnualConference and AGM in Kilkenny,plus a message from CEOKathleen Mc Loughlin

53 Mini Marathon successOver 200 women take part in theFlora Women’s Mini Marathon forIWA

54 Regional snapshotsWhat’s going on around the country

58 IWA car and home insuranceschemesAn update on the IWA insuranceschemes launched by Glennonearlier this year

REGULARS59 Small ads

Sell unwanted items or pick up abargain

59 CrosswordCrossword No 4 by Gordius

60 Your viewsLetters to the editor

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introduction

Welcome to the summer2009 issue of Spokeout.In keeping with theseason, our cover story

focuses on an issue that many sportsfans feel passionately about – wheelchair accessat Croke Park. The stadium is currently pilotingnew access arrangements designed to improvethe spectator experience for wheelchair usersand we report the initial feedback from fans.

Our farming feature focuses on Limerick farmerand wheelchair user James Clarke, whosepractical approach and clever adaptations tofarming equipment enable him to successfullymanage a 150-acre farm.

We also interview landscape painter MaryCollins, who recently held an exhibition in thePrincess Grace Irish Library in Monaco, andaspiring photographer Rory O’Connell.

Hope you enjoy the issue.

Kiara Lynch Editorial Assistant Kiara Lynch has beenenjoying the sun but, as a recent collegegraduate, she knows it can only mean onething – exam time! With many peoplecontemplating the move to higher

education, Kiara gets some tips from graduate studentSinead O’Donnell.

Colette MolloyColette Molloy works in IWA’s informationoffice and does a lot of behind the sceneswork on Spokeout, including researchingaccessible holiday accommodation. Coletteis looking forward to the GAA Football All

Ireland Senior Championship and is hoping Dublin will bringSam home. She relaxes by gardening, doing crafts andcrosswords, and taking her beloved dogs for walks.

Finola KellyFinola Kelly is interested in disability issueslocally and nationally. She is a member ofDublin City Council Disability Focus Groupand a committee member of the DublinNorth MS Society Group. While

recuperating from surgery, Finola is living in one of the IWAapartments in Clontarf and has been using the IWA gymon a daily basis. She tells us what a positive differenceregular exercise has made to her life.

Emmett DalyEmmett Daly is from Kilcormac, Co Offaly.Emmett is the secretary of the Offaly Schoolof Special Education, a role which hethoroughly enjoys. He has recently startedplaying power soccer, and hopes to

progress further in the sport. In this issue, Emmett reportson the recent IWA Annual Conference.

Gerry McInerneyGerry McInerney enjoys surfing the weband says it has opened up his world bygiving him access to access information hemight otherwise have never come across.Gerry enjoys regular holidays in Europe and

believes the accessibility of the public transport system inIreland compares poorly to those of other Europeancountries. Gerry is currently lobbying for improvements tothe bus service in the Shannon area.

MEET SOME OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS…

Cover pictureSportsfile

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 19,500 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

Editorial Design Manager Layla Hogan

Design this issue Suzanne Murray

Advertising and Marketing Design ManagerDiarmuid O’Connor

Advertising Production Co-ordinatorAmina Ferradj

Advertising ProductionCiaran McBride

Advertising ExecutiveDara Gallagher, Joseph Burke

Printing Graham & Heslip Ltd

Cartoons Johnny Connaughton

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.

Spokeout on CD and tapeSpokeout is now available on both tape and CD. If you wouldlike to receive Spokeout in either of these formats, pleasecontact Colette Molloy on 01 818 6485 or [email protected]

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When officially opened in March 2005, the re-developed Croke Park Stadium was ear-marked as a singular piece of architecturaland engineering achievement that could

come to symbolise Ireland’s ‘Boom Years’. With capacity of75,000 people (seated), it was the third largest stadium inEurope at that time, and since then it has certainly becomeone of the world’s busiest stadia in terms of footfall. As aninner city stadium, it should also be considered one of theworld’s most conveniently located stadia. But many IWAmembers remain skeptical about its accessibility credentialsand would like to see the stadium’s authorities improve thefacilities to make events in the stadium accessible andmore enjoyable for wheelchairs users.

THE ISSUEThe accessibility problems at Croke Park were highlightedin the spring 2007 issue of Spokeout, when IWA memberLiam Lynch wrote a piece that detailed his concerns abouthow the powers that be at Croke Park had addressed, ornot addressed, the issue of accessibility in the new design.

In addition to having to negotiate an awkward journeyfrom external area cordon to stadium, Liam contended thatonce inside, the viewing space allocated to wheelchair

users offered very poor views of events on the pitch. Hewrote that views of ‘high ball’ were obstructed by the sloping level above, and more importantly, if fans in frontjumped up at a moment of excitement, there was no viewat all of the pitch. “You couldn’t see when the ball wenthigh or when the crowd stood up. I felt the view was be-tween 20-40 percent, and this was unacceptable.”

Croke Park says that facilities for people with disabilitiescomprise an area at Level Four, stretching from the CusackStand through the Davin Stand and to the Hogan Stand,which has been fitted with 119 spaces for wheelchair usersand a matching number of attendant seats. In the interveningyears, Croke Park has added LCD screens, additional toiletand changing room facilities, as well as bar and snack units tothe area. There is also a team of designated stewards, specifi-cally trained to cater for the needs of patrons with disabilities.

IN SEARCH OF A SOLUTIONPrior to the publication of Liam Lynch’s article, a number ofIWA members had already registered their concerns with theIWA Sports Team, Nicky Hamill (Director of Sport) and MarkBarry, and IWA had opened discussions with Croke Park.Croke Park management, for its part, showed a willingnessto engage and seek out a solution to the problem.

Stadium access

Jim Hayes with his sonJonathan in front of the GAA Museum at Croke Park

PHO

TO B

Y SP

ORT

SFIL

E

Croke Park is currently piloting new access arrangements designed toimprove the spectator experience for wheelchair users

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TICKET ALLOCATION FOR PILOT SCHEME As part of the Croke Park Accessibility Pilot Scheme,the stadium is providing IWA with six complimentarytickets for wheelchair users and six additional assis-tants tickets for every GAA, soccer and rugby matchin the 2009 season. Parking will be allowed for IWAbuses within the Croke Park grounds (provided entryis early). For those travelling independently, it has beenagreed that Clonliffe College will allow free parking forpermit-holders. At the end of each match, an ap-praisal questionnaire is to be filled out by all recipientsof the complimentary tickets and returned to IWA.

If you would like to attend an upcoming matchand assist with this pilot scheme, contact IWASports on 01 818 6400. Remember, tickets are lim-ited to six plus assistant per match and will be allo-cated on a first come, first served basis.

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After a consultation period of about 18 months, Croke Parkand its architectural team proposed a solution that would seethe introduction of an elevated platform on a pilot basis for the2009 season. As part of the pilot scheme wheelchair usersusing the platform would receive complimentary tickets and inreturn would complete a questionnaire on their experiences.

Two of the people who have been assisting with the pro-gramme are Jim Hayes and his sports-mad son, Jonathan,who had attended a number of matches in Croke Park priorto the pilot programme. Their first experience of the pilotprogramme was the semi final of rugby’s Heineken EuropeanCup between Leinster and Munster. And they believe thatthe new platform is a welcome initiative, but it still presents afew problems. Jim explains: “Looking at the positive aspects,now when people jump up to cheer the action, this no longerimpedes the view. This is great news. However, it is still notpossible to follow all the action, because when the ball goestoo high, the problem of visual obstruction arises again because of the overhangs from above. This was particularlyfrustrating for conversion kicks during the rugby match.”He suggests, maybe the platform should be higher saying,“in order to gain greater visibility you need extra height, butyou are going to lose it somewhere else. It is obvious a lotof care and attention has gone into the viewing area. Unfortunately, I am not a civil engineer, so have no fixes inmy head. If the platform is chosen as the way forward, I thinkit would be a good Idea to have a number of them locatedat different points in the stadium.”

Jim adds that he would also like to see some action ongetting access to the external cordoned area. “Trying to getaccess onto Clonliffe Road or areas beyond the barriers forparking is difficult. It always seems to be a hit and miss af-fair. It can depend on the garda on duty on the day at thebarrier and also a lot of perseverance. There are no set cri-teria on accessibility set down by An Garda Siochana orthe sports organisation involved.”

Liam Lynch also attended the Heineken Cup match andwas similarly impressed and concerned. He says: “The ele-vated viewing area does solve the problem of view obstruc-tion by other fans jumping up. However, the view is stillobstructed by the tier above protruding into your eye line. Icouldn’t see the ball when it got to a certain height, conver-sions and penalties especially. When I go to a game as aspectator I want to watch the action with my own eyes; if Iwanted to watch a match on TV, I’d stay at home.” Liamgoes on to suggest: “The disabled viewing area needs to bemoved a level higher, or moved out from its current position.Croke Park could also look at how other world-class stadiaprovide facilities for people with disabilities.”

CROKE PARK PILOT SCHEMETony McGuinness, Stadium Safety Officer at Croke Park,says he is delighted to have the pilot scheme in operation.“Croke Park would like to be at the forefront of stadium ac-cessibility in this country. We are committed to finding last-ing solutions for any difficulties that exist and are working

closely with IWA to ensure that the views of as many dis-abled patrons as possible are taken into account beforelong term solutions can be put in place.” He adds: “We areconstantly upgrading facilities to try and exceed customerexpectations. We hope this pilot scheme will overcome themajor concerns of patrons and that IWA and other organisa-tions will work with us to make continued improvements tofacilities in the future.” He also points out that parking fordisabled patrons is available in Clonliffe College car park.

Tony says that the GAA offers tickets to patrons with disabili-ties at a special half price rate, and that the soccer and rugbyorganisations also offer very attractive ticket incentives formatches in the stadium. “I would like to think that this wouldencourage more people to attend stadium events and con-tribute ideas on how we can continually upgrade the facilitiesto enhance their match experiences in the years to come.”

IN CONCLUSIONEveryone agrees that the pilot scheme is a positive move,but there are still important points that need to be ironed out.These issues will not get addressed properly unless membershighlight areas for improvement. So, it will require a concertedeffort from everyone before a solution can be found.

Croke Park official Francis Murphy (back),has been specially trained to cater forpatrons with disabilities

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LEARNING IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

learn more on www.fas.ie

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Limerick farmer James Clarke tells Hugh Scanlon how the supportof friends and neighbours, and a few practical adjustments suchas a modified tractor and quad bike, enabled him to continuerunning his 150-acre farm after acquiring a disability

Some famous man once said that if he knewwhere he was going to die he’d never go there.Accidents are a bit like that. By definition, theyhappen unexpectedly. This was the case for

James Clarke who was cutting down a tree on his farm, justoutside Adare, Co Limerick, when disaster struck. Jamessaw the tree begin to pivot and had time to drop the chain-saw and start to run. But, unfortunately, not enough time.

The ambulance was already there by the time he regainedconsciousness, and he was transferred first to hospital inLimerick, and then, the following day, by helicopter toDublin. There he was told that his spine had been severedbetween vertebrae T11 and T12 and that he would beparalysed from the waist down, for the rest of his life. Theaccident took place on 6th December, 1991, when Jameswas 40 years of age. A regular badminton and hockeyplayer, he had played his first ever game of golf the day before the accident.

James and his wife, Meriel, had three very young kids atthe time – Thomas, aged six, Rosemarie, aged 4, andRoger, aged only 18 months. They had a 150-acre mixedenterprise farm, in three separate blocks, involving 40 milk-

ing cows, 60 sheep, 50 calf to two year old beef cattle anda small amount of tillage. So, how does someone, in thesecircumstances, come to terms with being told that he willnever walk again?

James believes that you never know how you are goingto react to something like this until it actually happens. In hiscase, he seems to have accepted the reality from the outsetand never remembers feeling despair or anger with God. Amember of the Church of Ireland, James gratefully receivedprayers, support, and even Padro Pio relics, from all sidesof the local community. The practical help he and his familygot from neighbours and friends was brilliant. One neigh-bour simply took the Clarke’s sheep flock to his own farm,fed them, looked after them and lambed them, and thendelivered them back, later on in the year, when all of thehard work had been done. Another neighbour ploughed,sowed and managed 12 acres of barley for them. If Merielneeded anything done, she just had to pick up the phone.

The story of James Clarke’s adjustment to his changedcircumstances is one of extraordinary determination. Thevery first evening he was allowed home from the NationalRehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire, he put his wheel-

On the FARM

James’ quad bike giveshim the freedom to getaround the farm

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chair down into the pit of the milking parlour and was ableto reach up to milk the cows. “This gave my confidence ahuge boost” he says. However, he remembers the initial pe-riod after he returned home as being very difficult. He hadto be brought around the farm sitting in his wheelchair in atransport box on the back of a tractor to see the stock. Hecouldn’t even sleep in his own house because the stairshad to be straightened out to facilitate a stair lift, which in-volved knocking internal walls.

It was the ordinary, day-to-day, things that he felt he re-ally missed out on – never being able to play football withthe kids or to lift up baby Roger or put him to bed. On theother hand, because they now had a man employed fulltime, they were able to take their first ever family holidayand James feels that this was hugely important in ‘normal-ising’ things for the kids.

Despite all these challenges, James never consideredselling the farm. It took him a year to get back to fullstrength and during that time, with the help of local machin-ery dealer, James Doherty, the first tractor was successfullymodified to allow him to drive it.

The actual modifications are straightforward but effective.A small electric motor, run off the tractor battery, powers awinch mounted on a swivel arm in the cab. James puts acanvas sling under him, while sitting in his wheelchair, andclips four steel eyes at the corners of this sling onto a hookat the end of the winch rope. Using hand-operated con-trols, the winch then lifts him up to cab height and heguides himself into the tractor seat using the grab bars at-tached to the door and frame of the cab. The clutch andbrake have been modified tohand controls but, otherwise,everything else is standard.

These modifications to thetwo tractors have allowedJames to remain very active inthe day-to-day running of thefarm. One tractor has a loaderfitted so James uses this to dothe silage feeding and all otherloader work. He also does allthe drawing and spreading ofslurry to the out-farms. However, the real love of his life ishis ATV (more commonly known as a quad bike), which hedescribes as being “like a set of legs”. This gives him thefreedom to go everywhere around the farm but, particularly,to herd the drystock in the out-farms. He simply parks hiswheelchair alongside the ATV and pulls himself up onto itusing a neat bar frame fitted behind the seat. This was theonly modification required as all the controls come hand-operated as standard.

James’ upper body strength is now much greater than itwas prior to his accident and he needs this to be able topull himself up onto the ATV. It is also crucial to maintaininghis balance while driving it, since he has no power in hislegs. He is quite angry about a recent change in the way

that VRT (Vehicle Registration Tax) is applied to ATVs,which has seen the tax increase from €50 to over €800. Hebelieves that the change was intended to apply to thosewho use ATVs for recreational purposes and feels that itpenalises those, like him, who are dependant on it purelyas a work machine.

The other two pieces of ‘modern’ technology that hefinds absolutely invaluable are his mobile phone and the in-ternet. Meriel used to be concerned if James went off to anout-farm on the ATV and was away longer than expected.

But now she can just ring hismobile to check that everythingis okay. Equally, if there is aproblem with a sick animal,James merely has to ringThomas, who has been work-ing full time on the farm for thepast three years.

At the beginning, one of themost difficult adjustments forJames was the fact that, if theyintended going anywhere, he

had to ring ahead to check it was wheelchair accessible. Ingeneral, he feels that things have improved significantly inIreland and that we now compare reasonably well withother countries. Recently, he was on holidays in that mostcosmopolitan of cities, Nice, and discovered that it wasn’t avery wheelchair friendly place. Car parking was a nightmareand I’d need another article to tell you about the job theyhad getting out of a carpark! James believes that wheel-chair accessible toilets are now the area needing mostwork in this country.

James has no intention of slowing down as can be seenfrom the fact that, three years ago, he and Meriel renovatedan old stone cottage on the farm which they now rent forself-catering holidays.

James uses a hoistto transfer into hisadapted tractor

“One neighbour simply took theClarke’s sheep flock to his own farm,

fed them, looked after them andlambed them, and then delivered

them back, later on in the year, whenall of the hard work had been done”

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Irish artist Mary Collins was recently honoured with an exhibitionat the Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco. She tells JoannaMarsden how her love of art has changed her life

Mary Collins is best known for her watercolourlandscapes which have featured in many exhi-bitions over the past decade, including a ‘one-woman’ show this spring in Monaco’s famous

Princess Grace Irish Library (PGIL). Mary says that she was first drawn to paint landscapes

because of the ease with which she could access the subjectmatter. Although, as a wheelchair user, it was difficult for herto travel to outside locations for painting, “a postcard or photograph would suffice as a model from which to work.”

As this way of painting developed, Mary began to feel therewards of the subject matter. “Over time I have becomevery attached to landscapes and see painting as a way toaccess parts of the world which aren’t so accessible.”

It could be said that both art and a love of landscapesare in Mary’s blood. Her mother, an art teacher from NewYork, and her father, who is from Chicago, came to Irelandon their honeymoon and “fell in love with the country”.When Mary was a child, the family moved between Irelandand New York, before finally settling in south county Dublinwhen she was six.

Mary, who was born with cerebral palsy and also suf-fered injuries as a result of two accidents, a car crash anda fall, didn’t consider taking up painting until she was in hertwenties, “I didn’t think that I would be able to paint, butwhen IWA’s Dolores Murphy approached the local VECabout setting up an art group in the Dun Laoghaire area, Idecided to give it a try.”

“The first painting I ever did was a flower,” recalls Mary,“and I didn’t like it. But my art teacher Allen Simpson hadgreat patience and he said ‘If you keep trying, I know you’llget there in the end’.”

Mary’s mother also encouraged her to persevere, andMary began to get feel more comfortable with the mediumof watercolour. “The thing I love about watercolour is that itis so gentle. If you make a mistake it can ruin a picture, or,it can actually make it. This happened with my ‘Blue Wave’picture – the water started running and I was about to in-

tervene when Allen Simpson shouted, ‘Stop, don’t touch!”The result was beautiful and Mary describes the incident as“a landmark moment” in her painting, so much so that shechose to name her website www.bluewavearts.ie after thepainting.

Mary is keen to emphasise how critical the DunLaoghaire art group has been, and continues to be, in herdevelopment as an artist. “Art is not a solitary experiencefor me. Going to the art group every Saturday is an impor-tant part of my life. Members support each other and manyof my friends in the group travelled to Monaco with me forthe opening of the exhibition.”

“My love of art and of the art group itself has changedmy life in many ways. It brought me out of myself and gaveme a sense that I could help others in the local communityin the struggle for access. I have since become involvedwith many forms of community activism, including joiningthe Board of the Southside Partnership, Disability InterestGroup, Accessible Community Transport Southside Ltd,Greater Dublin Independent Living, Disability ConsultativeGroup and the Dun Laoghaire Volunteer Project.”

Mary says that community activism is one of the ways inwhich she distracts herself from the chronic pain she liveswith. “In 1999, when I was studying for the finals of my BAin Modern History at Trinity, I reached a point where I felt Icouldn’t go on because of the pain. I went to my GP andhe advised against dropping out, saying, ‘If you give upcollege, you’ll have nothing to focus on except the pain.’”Since then, Mary says she has tried to live by his advice,going on to complete an M. Litt. Research Masters Degreeon ‘Irish Cultural Institutions and their impact on Contem-porary Ireland’.

Over the past few years, Mary has also spent a lot oftime developing her website. The site showcases her paint-ings and poetry, together with reflections on her life andapproach to art. The site was created as a result of theEQUAL project, a project designed to promote equalitythrough e-work, and it also serves a practical purpose as

LANDSCAPES OF THE MIND

‘BLU

E W

AVE’

BY

MA

RY C

OLL

INS

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an online shop through which she sells her paintings. “Awebsite is a great way to promote art. I really think theGovernment should look at funding more initiatives de-signed to support people with disabilities in setting upsmall, web-based businesses, as it is a more realistic wayfor many people to work.”

Visitors to the site will immediately notice that it’s not justabout painting. It also provides a forum for Mary’s other biglove – poetry. “My love of poetry started when I was 15,long before I was painting. It’s a completely different way ofexpressing oneself. With ordinary prose, you just lay thingsbare, but with poetry you have a choice – you can be com-pletely open or you can find an alternative way of express-ing things.” Many of Mary’s poems tackle emotionalthemes such as how dependency can impact upon rela-tionships with loved ones, while others are written to markspecial occasions.

Mary accepts commissions for both poetry and painting.“Friends and family commission paintings from me on awide variety of subject matter, and I enjoy the process ofunderstanding someone’s vision and combining it with myown.”

Mary’s website helped attract the attention of thePrincess Grace Irish Library. “My brother Mark lived inMonaco for a while and decided to send Judith Gantley,Curator of the PGIL, a link to my site. Once he knew shewas interested, he came over and told me about the idea.That was in April 2008, so there was almost a year in theplanning. During that period, I corresponded with Judithand Geraldine Lance, the secretary from the PGIL, usingSkype and a webcam.”

The trip to the St Patrick’s Day opening of Mary’s exhibi-tion titled ‘Images of Ireland’ was the first time Mary hadleft Ireland since her two accidents, twelve and thirteenyears ago respectively. “I arrived in Monaco a few daysearly and it just felt fantastic to be travelling.”

There were two official openings – one for the public andone for family and friends. Before the first event kicked off,one of Mary’s 27 watercolours had already sold. “It wasvery moving to see my art on display in such a setting and

to realise that all these people had come to see my work. Ihope the exhibition will encourage other artists with a dis-ability by showing that there are opportunities to exhibitabroad and that you can become a recognised artist.”

Since the exhibition, a further eight paintings have sold tobuyers from around the world. Just this week Mary got anemail from an American buyer attaching a photograph ofone of her paintings hanging in an oak-panelled room in hisVermont home. He also sent a photograph of a beautifulVermont sunset, perhaps hoping that it would inspire Maryto get her paintbrush out. Now back home in DunLaoghaire, Mary says it makes her really happy to think ofher painting hanging in such an amazing place.

Mary would like to thank everyone who supported her exhi-bition and trip to Monaco, including Judith Gantley, Geral-dine Lance, the trustees of the Princess Grace Irish Library,the Association Monegasque des Handicapes Moteurs,and Olivier Bragard. She would also like to thank all thosewho have supported her artistic career over the years, in-cluding Alan Simpson, Dolores Murphy, Mary Ryan, DrWilliam Vaughan, Willie Morton, Gray Cahill, Trish Lehmann,Marie Carroll, Helena O’Neill, Alison Gray, Sandra King, andeveryone at Southside Partnership and Dun Loaghaire VEC.Thanks also to her family, friends and long-standing PAs.

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11spokeout

BOTH SIDES SUFFER by Mary CollinsWhen their lives centre around me,That’s not good.Why?Because both sides suffer.But,That goes for everyone who’s dependent.With this thought in mind Lord,Help me be free.Please grant me more mobility.

Mary and her parentsat her M.Litt graduation

Monaco’s Prince Albert attendsthe opening of Mary’s Exhibition

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careers & education

13spokeout

Galwegian Sinead O’ Donnell has successfully completed a lawdegree at NUI Galway and is now hoping to begin a PhD inDisability Law. She talks to Kiara Lynch about her approach tocollege life

Sinead O’Donnell grew up facing the daily chal-lenges of living with a disability. She felt stronglythat the State’s ‘one size fits all’ approach towardsdisability services was simply not good enough.

“Given that different disabilities require different services,it’s difficult to establish what’s available or what a person islegally entitled to”. By the time Sinead was doing her LeavingCertificate, she had developed an interest in law, believingthat the legal system would be the ideal instrument to useto protect the rights of people with disabilities.

Sinead had decided well before CAO form-filling timecame around that she wanted to do a three-year arts de-gree in Legal Science, Sociology and Political Studies atNational University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). “NUIG is agreat university with an excellent social and academic rep-utation. On the practical side, I’m from Galway, and thismeant a lot of my friends and family, who are a great sup-port, would be around. It also meant that I had the optionof living in my adapted family home and commuting toNUIG on a daily basis”.

“I was lucky I knew what course I wanted to study andwhere, and I didn’t have to find accommodation immedi-ately. Not everyone is so lucky! I’d recommend decidingwhat field you want to study well before it’s time to fill out theCAO forms. Then go through college prospectuses lookingfor courses in that field, and make an appointment with thecollege disability officer to visit the campus, making sure toask them about possible accessible accommodation.”Sinead emphasises the importance of making the rightchoice: “The campus has to suit your needs; you are makinga big change in your life and must feel comfortable with it.”

“I made an appointment with the NUIG disability officerduring my Leaving Cert year to look around the campus.The university was founded in 1845, so naturally I was a lit-tle apprehensive about the access. The disability officershowed me around, and it was clear access wasn’t goingto be an issue. I felt at home there straight away.”

When Sinead started college in 2002, the disability officerhelped her put supports in place to enable her to keep upwith her course mates, such as a personal assistant to as-sist her taking notes in lectures, and a laptop to type upassignments. Sinead’s exams were also set up to physi-cally suit her needs.

Sinead’s next priority was accomodation. “I wanted tolive independently as I felt that was the next step in my life,

COLLEGE AMBITIONS

“The campus has to suit yourneeds; you are making a big

change in your life and must feelcomfortable with it”

Sinead in her homein Galway City

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SINEAD’S TIPS ON HOW TO SETTLE INTO COLLEGE LIFE1. Get to know your fellow classmates/students.The easiest way to do this is to join societies. It canbe daunting, but just remember all first years are inthe same boat when it comes to meeting new people and making new friends.

2. It’s always hard starting something new, but trynot to let things get on top of you and always speakto someone who can help as soon as possible. Ifyou feel you’re falling behind in a subject, speak toyour lecturer. If you feel you need more supportspeak to your disability officer – it may be much easier to solve the problem than you think.

3. Get to know your lecturers and the academicsupport staff; they are a great source of supportwhen it comes to catching up on notes/assignmentsif you have been absent.

4. Don’t try to live up to other people’s hopes. Insteadcompete at the level you are capable of. Getting intocollege is only half the battle, getting out is the other!

5. Experience everything college life has to offer –make new friends, try new things, make mistakes,learn from them, and most of all, enjoy it!

so shortly after starting college I put my name down on awaiting list for short-term independent living units run bythe Irish Wheelchair Association.” Sinead lived and com-muted from home for a year and a half before moving intoan IWA unit in Galway City.

Since beginning her studies at NUIG, Sinead hasachieved a great deal academically. In 2005 she completedher arts degree in Legal Science, Sociology and PoliticalStudies, before transferring into the final year of Bachelor ofLaws, which she successfully completed in 2006. Sineadthen went on to achieve a Masters in Public Advocacy andActivism in 2007.

Sinead is passionate about human rights, including theright to independent living. She uses her own living situa-tion as an example: “I believe my current independent livingarrangements are of great significance and benefit to myability to live my life in the manner I choose.” Sinead is nowliving in IWA long-term independent living apartments inGalway City, and is currently waiting to hear from the ‘IrishResearch Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences’where she has applied for a Masters in Disability Law. Themain focus of her research will be human rights and inde-pendent living issues, and Sinead is hopeful that it will leadto a PhD.

“To anyone considering college, the best advice I cangive you is to have self-belief. It is hard at times and givingup would be so easy, but you have to believe in yourself,and believe you can do it. Do your best and take pleasurein the experience of college life; you are the one whoworked hard to get yourself there! The road may be longbut remember that the journey can be enjoyable”.

Sinead outside herhome In Galway City

14

careers & education

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16

Rory O’Connell explains to Robbie Cousins how photography became a passion that helped him reshape his life

RORY’S STORYIt took Rory a number of years to reach a point where hecould pursue his interest in photography on a full-time basis.In the mid ‘80s, as a teenager, he suffered serious injurieswhen he was struck by a car in a road traffic accident. “Myinjuries included multiple breaks in my legs, a broken collarbone and a very serious head injury. Twelve months afterthe accident, when the doctors thought I had recoveredenough, I returned to school for a while. But I was never ableto fit back in. As a result of the head injury, my ability toconcentrate and remember things was greatly impeded.”

EARLY CAREERIn the end, Rory transferred to Roslyn Park College inSandymount, where he was able to overcome many of thechallenges he faced because of his injuries and complete hiseducation. In the late ‘80s through FÁS, he gained a workplacement on a scheme to redevelop Dublin Zoo. “I spentover two years at Dublin Zoo where I began to train in techni-cal drawing, as well as picking up many administrative skills.”His next move was to join Irish engineering giant Mercury En-gineering where he trained as a draughtsman and worked fora number of years. However, unable to advance his career inthis field, Rory began working with warehousing firm JD Lang-don, where he spent six happy years. “Langdons was greatfor me and I really enjoyed my time there. It was also in thisperiod that I developed my interest in photography. One daythe manager said redundancies lay down the line for every-one. I was harbouring ambitions about photography and,having gone as far as I could with it as a hobby, I was grate-ful when Langdons offered me a generous redundancy pack-age that would enable me to pursue a photographic career.”

A CHANGE OF DIRECTIONRory had completed a number of part-time photographycourses and was devoting pretty much all of his spare timeto photography. After finishing up at Langdons, he first setoff on a six-day coastal bus tour of Ireland. “I took my cam-era and used I don’t know how many rolls of film. The tripwas one I had wanted to do for many years and the result-ing photos convinced me that I had what it took to pursuea full-time career in photography.”

Rory enrolled on a two-year photography course in Grif-fith College. However, he had not counted on there beingso much handwriting involved and because of his limiteddexterity, he had to change his plans at the end of the firstyear. He says: “I found the handwriting very difficult andafter completing the first year of the course, I switchedcourses and colleges and I went back to Roslyn Park Col-lege where I was able to take a specialist course in digitalphotography for two years, achieving a FETAC Level Fivequalification.” Rory was able to work at his own pace andthrough perseverance completed the course on schedulein 2008. He says Roslyn Park is a great facility that pro-vides that little bit of extra support which makes all the dif-ference.

The first time I developed a black and white photo-graph in a darkroom, the sensation was magical.And I still get that same sensation every time Ienter the darkroom. I am also equally passionate

about working in digital photography, a medium that ex-tended the creative possibilities of photography to unimag-inable levels a few years back.” So says Rory O’Connellabout his one true passion in life: photography. Film or digi-tal, he is comfortable with either medium and he is intenton developing his skill to the highest level that he can.

Keeping thingsIN FOCUS

Rory’s black and white shot of the Brehan Chairnear the little village of Finvarra in Co Clare

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LOOKING AT OPTIONSBy 2008 Rory was working on a number of personal pho-tographic projects as well as working part-time as a pho-tographer doing portraits, weddings and some advertisingwork. He even went as far as setting up his own company.He says: “I was very tempted to get stuck in and become afull-time professional photographer at that point. I hadsome success and even set up a company and website(www.roryoconnell.ie). But just because you know a thingor two about photography does not necessarily mean thatyou are going to be a successful professional. So, afterlooking at the market and seeing what would be involved ingrowing a business, I decided that my interests would bebetter served at this point in time by returning to collegeand developing my skills further.”

FURTHER EDUCATIONRory is currently completing the first year of atwo-year diploma course in photography.He explains: “I am now studying for aHigher National Diploma in Photographywhich I hope to finish next year. If success-ful, I will have FETAC Level Five and a UKBTEC (Business and Technology) Award.The combination of these two awards willeffectively be a FETAC Level 6 qualifica-tion, which I would be delighted toachieve.”

He continues: “After that, a degreewould be my next ambition. And if I getthat far, I would like to go on to teachthe subject. All going well, I will be ableto mix teaching with working part-timeas a professional as well as pursuingprojects of personal interest to me.”

THE SNAPPERRory says that in recent years his photography has alsoawoken an interest in history for him. He explains: “When Iwas in school history was one subject that gave me goosebumps. I could not get my head around it. But after photo-graphing national monuments in the Dun Laoghaire areafor a study project, I developed a keen interest in Irish his-tory. I have since become a voracious reader of historicalbooks and also love to get stuck in researching old publicrecords.”

Last year Rory also managed to achieve a long held am-bition when, with IWA assistance, he got driving lessons inan adapted car and passed his driving test. “Up to thatpoint I was aware of IWA but I did not know about thescope of its services. It was a great help in my learning todrive and getting my driving test.”

Outside of photography, another of Rory’s interests iskeeping fit. He says: “While I don’t use a wheelchair, I am

not the steadiest on my feet. I wasmuch heavier a few years back andthis created a lot of problems as Ihave arthritis in my knees. So, I tookup walking in an effort to lose weightand found that, in addition to improv-ing my physical health, losing weightboosted by mental health too. Today, Itry to get in a few miles each day,which is not always possible becauseof my college commitments. However,in addition to taking my dog with me, Ialso challenge myself to use the camerain my mobile phone should I spot some-thing worth snapping. So, in everything Ido, I am really never too far from a cam-era or the next shot.”

careers & education

17spokeout

Rory’s black and white image captures the atmosphere of historic Colimore Harbour in Dalkey

Rory O’Connell

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Gerry McInerney is a power wheelchair user and has a healthcondition for which he needs to attend regular outpatientappointments. Gerry has been having problems travelling tothese appointments due to a lack of accessible public transportin his local area of Shannon, Co Clare

THE ISSUEThere are two Bus Éireann bus stops within 600 yards ofmy front door in Shannon Town. Both routes are servicedby coaches, but neither of them have wheelchair accessi-ble coaches. I have a serious health condition and need toattend regular hospital appointments at Midwestern Re-gional Hospital, Limerick, and Midwestern Regional Hospi-tal, Ennis, which are both serviced by these inaccessiblebus routes.

I am a power wheelchair user and can’t transfer to astandard car. This means I can’t use the standard hackneytaxis in my local area, and have to order a wheelchair ac-cessible taxi from either Limerick City or Ennis Town. Withround trips to appointments, plus the taxi charge to comeout the 12 miles to Shannon to pick me up, I am payingapproximately €70 per round trip.

I have missed several hospital appointments lately as Icannot afford to keep paying for the transport. However,for obvious health reasons, I simply cannot afford to keepmissing appointments.

THE ACTIONI am angry at being made to feel like a second class citizenbecause of my disability. Public transport is after all a publicservice, and just because I have a disability doesn’t meanI’m not entitled to use public amenities. I decided to writeto the Area Manager in the Limerick Bus Éireann depot,outlining my problem and asking when wheelchair accessi-ble coaches would be put on these particular routes.

The Area Manager referred my letter to the ServicesManager, who wrote to me in October 2008 saying:“Coaches with full wheelchair accessibility are on trial at themoment”. He also explained there was a problem with driv-ers on the trial coaches securing their money while assist-ing wheelchair users onto the coach and clamping thechair in place.

THE OUTCOMEI wasn’t satisfied with that reply for two main reasons. Hedidn’t say where the wheelchair accessible coaches wereon trial, or if he could look into getting a trial accessiblecoach put on the routes I had complained about. I havecontinued to follow up on the issue with the Services Man-ager to no avail.

On the Bus Éireann website (www.buseireann.ie), itstates: “Bus Éireann has commenced the purchase ofInter-City Coaches with wheelchair lifts as part of its re-placement programme. It’s envisaged that the entirescheduled service coach fleet in Ireland will have been re-placed by wheelchair accessible coaches by 2015.”

My next move will be to contact Bus Éireann headquar-ters to ask if a trial wheelchair accessible coach can be puton either of the routes I’ve complained about.

TAKING ACTION:REGIONAL BUS SERVICES

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20

GETTING OUT

CARTOONS BY JOHNNY CONNAUGHTON

Socialising should be fun, but whenyou get ignored by restaurant staff,are obliged to drink incredibly slowlybecause you can’t use the pubtoilet, or have to strain your necksitting at the front of the cinema, it doesn’t feel like it!

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access

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Invacare is the global leader for the supply of Mobility and Home Health Care equipment

Please call us for more information on (01) 8107084 or email [email protected] or visit our website wwww.invacare.ie

Invacare Ireland Ltd, Unit 5 Seatown Business Campus, Seatown Road,Swords, Co. Dublin

Invacare Ireland Ltd based in SeatownBusiness Campus, Swords was first openedfor business in Dec 2003. The company arepart of the Invacare Corporation that havefacilities in UK, Europe, USA and the rest ofthe world. It provides mobility & homecareproducts to its clients throughout Ireland viaour distributor network.

Please feel free to give us a call to discussyour possible requirements and we will beglad to try and help.

Also available, the leo & Lynx Scooters which are smaller and more compact, but still offer the same level of independence as the Comet & Orion. We also have a large range of manual wheelchair products.

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JURY’S INN GALWAYQuay StreetGalwayT: 091 566 444www.jurysinns.com Jury’s Inn, overlooking GalwayBay, is perfectly located in theheart of Galway City with a hostof bars and restaurants on itsdoorstep.

The entrance to the hotel isramped and wheelchair carparking facilities are in an adjoin-ing multi-storey car park (re-duced daily rate for hotel guests).There are two spacious wheel-chair accessible bedrooms atground level. The en suites include a roll-in shower, grabrails and a fixed shower seat.The hotel grounds are accessibleand there is a garden bar forguests’ enjoyment. There is awheelchair accessible taxi serv-ice on request.

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23spokeout

Whether you are looking for a hotel, B&B orself-catering cottage, Colette Molloy providesideas for an accessible get-away

Holidaying at home

AULBER HOUSEDeerparkGolden RoadCashelCo TipperaryT: 062 637 13www.aulberhouse.com Aulber House, a purpose-builtguesthouse, located on theoutskirts of the historical town ofCashel, with views of the Rockof Cashel and Hore Abbey, is anideal base for touring the southof the country.

The house has rampedaccess with private car parkingclose by and there is adequatecirculation space throughout theguest reception rooms. Atground level there is onewheelchair accessible bedroomen suite with a roll-in shower,grab rails and shower chair.There are a further 11 guestbedrooms, and all bedrooms arefitted to a very high standardincluding digital television,internet access and safes.

The beautiful gardens areaccessible and guests arewelcome to relax and enjoy thewonderful views.

BEECH LODGEBallindrumAthyCo KildareT: 059 862 6294www.ballindrumfarm.com

Beech Lodge, a four-starwell-appointed and spaciousself-catering stone cottage, islocated in a rural area ofsouth Kildare, one hour fromDublin.

The cottage, set within thegrounds of Ballindrum Farm,has two bedrooms, a doubleen suite and a twin with awheelchair accessiblebathroom including roll-inshower, grab rails, fixed seatand shower chair.

The living accommodationis well equipped with allmodern conveniences andthere is ample parkingadjacent to the cottage.

Between April andSeptember guests canarrange to have breakfast atthe award-winning farmhouseby prior arrangement with theproprietors.

Need to hire a hoist? In the east, contact JS Dobbs, Baldoyle, Dublin 13. Tel: 01 839 1071 Email: www.jsdobbs.ie Inthe north/north-west, try Evolution Healthcare, Co Tyrone. Tel: 028 8772 7855 Email: www.evolutionhealthcare.co.uk

Somewhere to recommend? Contact [email protected] or 01 818 6485

When holidaying, it can be handy to carry the ‘universal key’ which

provides access to many accessibletoilets. The key is available for €25.00,including p&p, from J Williams & Sons,

Dublin 2. Tel: 01 475 6307 Email: www.jwilliamsltd.ie

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To be honest, Venice wasn’t somewhere I’d givenmuch thought to. I knew it was in Italy, that it wasbuilt around a series of canals and that they usedboats to get around it. Beyond that, I was pretty

ignorant. I suppose, on some level, I knew it would bequite tricky to negotiate in a wheelchair, so I put it out ofmy head as a holiday destination. That’s was until my wifecame back from a weekend there at the beginning of last

year. She fell completely in love with the place and insistedthat we had to go.

So, earlier this year, we boarded an Aer Lingus flight toMarco Polo Airport, Venice. On arriving, we made our waydown to the waterbus terminal which is about 0.5km fromthe Airport terminal. Our flight had been delayed and, bythe time we got to our hotel, it was past midnight. We hada little hiccup on the way when the airport waterbus termi-

Venice is built on a network of islands, with higgledy-piggledystreets and over 400 stepped pedestrian bridges. This makes it anintimidating destination for wheelchair users, but don’t be put off,says Gary Allen, it is still possible to enjoy this unique andatmospheric city

24

City ofbridges

Gary at the Rialto Bridge

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USEFUL INFORMATION

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATIONwww.europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/accessi-ble_venice.htmwww.turismovenezia.it/eng/

ACCOMMODATION AND RESTAURANTSwww.hotelmonaco.itwww.venicehotel.comwww.italyheaven.co.uk/veneto/venice/restaurants.html

GENERAL INFORMATIONwww.tours-italy.com/venice/history_of_venice.htm

25

nated one stop before we expected it to, meaning we hadto ask some helpful Italian gentlemen to lift me over asmall bridge so that we could catch the last vaporetto toour hotel.

Undoubtedly the most famous Venetian landmark is StMark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco to give it its Italian title.We stayed just off this square in a hotel called ‘The Monacoand Grand’. I couldn’t fault the hotel; both the bedroomand bathroom were extremely spacious. It’s so important tospend time ‘deal hunting’ on the internet before you travelbecause you really can get some fabulous bargains.

Our first port of call the morning after arriving was thetourist office. We visited the one just off St Mark’s Squarebut there are also branches at the airport and the railwaystation. At any of these, you can pick up a key which oper-ates the platform lifts that go up and down the sides ofsome bridges. These accessible bridges are scatteredaround the city. With the key, you also get a pack of sevenleaflets detailing accessible walks throughout the city and,while we thought the key would be the crucial piece of kitto have, the leaflets proved even more valuable.

Just outside our hotel was the San Marco vaporettostop. The vaporetti waterbuses are the favoured methodof transport throughout the city, paddling up and down theGrand Canal from very early morning to about midnight.They are generally easy to negotiate in a wheelchair, butsometimes when the tide is low there can be a small slopedown to board. Each journey costs €1.10, and an assis-tant travels free.

As it was a weekend, one of our first trips was to the Ri-alto Market. This market runs every day but on Saturdaysit comes alive with stalls selling every conceivable edibleitem. It seemed endless and because it was the week afterVenice’s annual carnival, there weren’t that many touristsaround. We spent a lovely few hours wandering aroundand had lunch in one of the back street restaurants. Infact, we found that the more off the beaten track you go,the more chance you have of finding nice food at a rea-sonable price.

I was quite nervous on arriving in Venice but the ease ofthe trip to the market put my mind at rest and I think it wasthen that I began to fall in love with Venice. It’s impossibleto overstate how impressive St Mark’s Square is. It is thesite of St Mark’s Basilica and The Doge’s Palace. TheDoges were rulers of Venice until the end of 18th century.We visited the palace on our second day and were lookedafter very well by the staff, who were able to bring us by liftto most areas of the building. If you’re a history buff, thepalace is unmissible, and even if you aren’t, I’d recom-mend a visit.

Bear in mind that one of the joys of Venice is simplywandering around its maze of streets. It has an atmos-phere unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. It really is one of thewonders of the world and, while I may not have been ableto access every bit of it, I can’t recommend a trip to Venicehighly enough.

The Grand Canal

Gary in St Mark’s Square

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Travel Assistance SchemeOpening doors for everyone

Our Travel Assistance Scheme is available to anyone who would like to use Dublin’s public transport system but needs a little help getting started. It offers practical advice on planning

your journey and can provide a trained member of staff to

(01) 7033204 or e-mail [email protected]

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A warm welcome at Cuisle

When Cuisle Holiday Centre first opened itsdoors in the 1990s, having previously experi-enced Irish holidays, Maureen Breslin – founderof IWA Meath branch – was skeptical about its

offerings. However, a visit with a group of friends quicklydispelled any apprehensions she had, and in the years thatfollowed she has stayed in Cuisle as much as three times ayear. “The moment I went through the doors, I realised thatthere was something special about the place. The wel-come and service we received from the staff, I can honestlysay that I have never seen the like of before or since.”

Maureen is quite the taskmaster, andlittle gets by her. She says: “As a cam-paigner, I have always been outspokenon accessibility issues. I cannot acceptbeing put to one side and being told‘we are doing the best we can for you’.But at Cuisle the attitude is completelydifferent. It is treated like a business andpeople who take breaks there aretreated as customers or guests: a sim-ple concept that others claiming to beaware and active on accessibility havefailed to appreciate. At Cuisle, no stoneis left unturned in the effort to anticipateguests’ needs and make them comfort-able.”

Maureen says her favourite pastime istalking. “I have to admit I thoroughly

enjoy the social aspect of the holidays, and love meeting oldand new friends, from all backgrounds. I am also a keensmoker, and after initial concern about smoking at Cuisleafter ‘the ban’, I was delighted when they erected a coveredsmoking space, outside of course.”

When at Cuisle, Maureen could spend hours just wander-ing through the centre’s grounds, and has reveled in the cen-tre’s consistently high calibre entertainment evenings, herfavourites being concerts, pub quizzes and movie nights. Shesays the centre also offers day trips to places such as Knock,football matches, bowling, cinema and other regional events

of interest, and it even has a hairdress-ing service on site.

Maureen is looking forward to experi-encing the new hydrotherapy suite.” Ican’t wait until my next trip to try outthe Jacuzzi and sauna”.

Finally, Maureen says she believes thesecret of Cuisle’s success is that guestswith disabilities never have to worry thatsomething might not be in place. “Un-like places that are listed as accessible,but you always have to ask for help,Cuisle and their staff are up to speedand have gone beyond the call of dutyin terms of ensuring that all their guestswill need for nothing.” Now there’s anovel thought for those looking to makeservices and buildings more accessible.

WIN A 4-NIGHT STAY FOR YOU & A FRIEND IN

CUISLE HOLIDAY CENTREYou and a friend can enjoy a 4-night break in Cuisle Holiday Centre, Donamon, Co Roscommon consisting of four nights accommodation, delicious full breakfast each morning and lunch and dinner on four evenings.Personal assistance can also be included if required.

To enter, simply answer the question and post the entryform to Cuisle Holiday Centre, Donamon, Co Roscommon. Closing Date Friday 14th August 2009. Winner will be notified by post and announced in the autumn issue of Spokeout.

ENTRY FORMFull name: Address:

Mobile number: Email:

What new suite is Maureen looking forward to trying outwhen she visits Cuisle later this summer?

� I do not wish to be contacted about Cuisle Holiday Centre

Guests enjoying thegrounds at Cuisle

Maureen Breslin is a regular visitor to Cuisle Holiday Centre. She saysthat with its scenic setting, outstanding accessibility and welcomingstaff, it is one of the few resorts to live up to her high standards!

“At Cuisle, no stone isleft unturned in theeffort to anticipateguests’ needs and

make themcomfortable”

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While most of us welcome the onset of springand the lush growth of summer with a songin our hearts, this most joyful of times in thegarden can become a total misery for the in-

creasing number of people who react badly to one or moreplant pollens.

Not all sufferers are affected by the same plants, but allhave reason to dread some part of the pollen season. It isa long season, opening in March when the first soft catkinsappear on the hazel trees, and not closing until the silvery-green Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), passes its pollen peakin and around the middle of August.

In between those dates lies a plethora of other plantsthat non-sufferers can take in their stride, but for our grow-ing band of allergy sufferers these plants can be a series ofliving nightmares resulting in asthma, dermatitis, rhinitis,conjunctivitis and something called Oral Allergy Syndrome(which is when your tongue swells up horribly).

These problems are apparently exacerbated by the waymany of us live now, our natural immunity systems dimin-ished by dwelling and working in over-insulated and cen-trally heated buildings, in constant and close contact withchemicals and synthetic materials.

So if you find that you suffer at certain times, then it’sworth being checked out by your doctor, who can do teststo discover which plants are causing you problems. Armedwith this knowledge, you can then set about either eliminat-ing them from your planting palette or, better still, learning tomanage your allergies so that you can still enjoy the pleas-ures of an interesting garden – and the wider landscape –without having to limit your plant range too drastically.

For example, the various times of the year when a personhas allergic symptoms are a good clue to what plants arecausing them. Tree pollens are at their highest levels fromMarch to May, for example. Grass pollens start on the air inMay, are highest in June and July, then start decreasing inAugust. As for weed pollens, they peak in July and August.

Avoiding all of these pollens completely is impossible,even if you concreted over every piece of bare earth insight, which would be depressing to boot. There are spe-cific medications available, and some people have claimedgreat success with Immunotherapy, a method which aimsto make the patient tolerant of specific allergens.

To help make the garden as friendly a place as possiblefor the allergy sufferers amongst us, there are certain thingswe can do, such as using all or some of the low-allergenplants I’ve listed below. Lawn grass is one of the worst cul-prits, so if you have a green sward don’t ever allow it toflower. And when the same green sward needs mowing, al-ways get a non-sufferer to do the job. And, if the expertsare to be believed, lying on grass, especially in parks andother wide open spaces, is a definite no-no.

Each day of the season, the pollen count has two peakperiods, 7-11am and 4-8pm, so people prone to allergiesshould batten down the hatches during those times, if at allpossible. That means your hands-on gardening time will be

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The summer season cantrigger pollen-related allergies,but there are practical stepsyou can take to identifyproblem plants and reduceirritation, says Helen Rock

THE

POLLENSEASON

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PEAK POLLEN PERIODSHazel: First week in MarchYew: First two weeks in MarchElm: First three weeks in MarchAlder and Willow: Second and third week in MarchAsh and Birch: Second and third week in AprilPoplar: Last week in MarchOak: Last week in April and first week in MayPine: First and second week in MayFlowering Lawn Grass: Last week in May until first week in JulyOil Seed Rape: First two weeks in May Plane Trees: Last week in April and first week in MayLime Trees: Last half of June and first days of JulyDock: Mid-June into JulyNettle: Last half of June and most of JulyPlantain: First two weeks in JuneMugwort: Second half of July and first half of August

LOW ALLERGEN PLANTSBleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis), Broom (Genista lydia), Bugle or Viper’s Bugloss (Ajuga reptans), Busy Lizzie (Impa-tiens walleriana), Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ter-nata), Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), Coral Bells (Heucherasanguinea), Cotoneaster, Cranesbills or Hardy Geranium,Day Lily (Hemerocallis), Varieties of Dead Nettle (Lamium),Fibrous-rooted Begonia, Geum (G. chiloense), Hebe, Lady’sMantle (Alchemilla mollis), Lobelia (L. erinusobelia erinus),Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena), Masterwort (Astrantiamajor), Penstemon hybrids, Periwinkle (Vinca major), Hosta, Poppies, Ornamental Cherry (Prunus x cistena), Sage(Salvia officinalis), Scabious, Sea Holly (Eryngium x triparti-tum), Siberian Iris (Iris siberica), Snapdragon (Antirrhinummajus), Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo), Meadow Rue (Thal-ictrum aquilegifolium), Willow-Leaved Pear (Pyrus salicifolia)

restricted to the dawn (actually a very pleasant time in thesummer garden), to the dusk and also in the heat of thenoonday sun, when not even the pollens venture out.

If eyes are affected, wear shades, even when the sun’s notshining and even at the risk of looking pretentious. After gar-dening or just being out in the air, you can avoid further ex-posure to the irritants by changing from your outdoor clothesand washing your hair, which will be harbouring some.

Animals too carry pollen on their coats, so pets shouldbe brushed daily at peak periods, but absolutely not by thesufferer. And last but not least, if your suffering has becomeintolerable, you will have to dry your washing indoors,rather than on a clothesline or on the scented rosemarybush out in the fresh air.

Below are two lists. The first gives the peak pollen peri-ods for certain plants, most of them native (there will still besome pollen on the air a little before and after these dates).The second list is a selection of good, low allergen plantsthat sufferers should know about, so that they can enjoytheir gardens in any season.

GARDEN WORKA reminder of the pleasurable tasks required to keepyour garden in order over the summer months.

JULY: Work in the garden in July consists largely ofgentle tasks such as watering plants in containers,deadheading roses and cutting them for the house,harvesting salads, herbs, beans and peas, sowing an-other row of scallions and cut and come again leaves,and going about the place with a secateurs or lop-pers, judicious snipping, cutting and pruning anythingthat has grown too big or is obscuring a potentiallygood view.

AUGUST: Growth slows down to a more compan-ionable pace this month and gardening work is lessdemanding. It is a good time for contemplation, whichencourages the flow of new ideas. If you feel in needof inspiration for your garden – and which of us doesnot from time to time – then take the time to visitother gardens open to the public, and bring a note-book, pencil (they write in the rain where ink doesn’t)and, if possible, a camera. August is also a good timeto propagate many herbs from cuttings, while they arehopping with hormones. Try lavender, rosemary, sage,bay, salvia, hyssop and rue.

SEPTEMBER: This month brings sweet relief fromirritating pollens while work speeds up a little in thegarden. Deadheading continues apace to keep thingsflowering, fruit has to be picked as gales are commonnow, new growth on climbers should be tied-in to itssupports. But perhaps most urgent of all now is get-ting your spring bulbs organised for planting as soonas possible. Daffodils or narcissi are first to go in, alongwith Hyacinths for indoor forcing. And the last trim ofthe year should be given to evergreen hedges of yew,box, beech, hornbean, privet and laurel.

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In the first of a series of articles on entitlements for people with disabilities, David Egan takes an indepth look at DisabilityAllowance including who is entitled to the payment, means testing and how to apply

CITIZEN INFORMATION CENTRESCitizen Information Services are provided at 268 loca-tions throughout the country providing free, confiden-tial and impartial information on all aspects of rightsand entitlements. When necessary, staff can help youaccess your entitlements and with appeals.

The Citizen Information Phone Service operates Monday to Friday 9am-9pm LoCall 1890 777 121The Citizen Information website is www.citizensinformationboard.ie

Your first step before applying for any benefit is tofind out which payment you may be entitled to.The advice from the Citizens Information Board is,if in doubt, apply. “If you think you may be entitled

to any benefit, you should apply unless you are absolutelysure that you do not qualify.”

Disabiliy Allowance (DA) is a long-term means-testedpayment made to people with disabilities including peoplein residential care. To qualify you must live peramanently inIreland, be between the ages of 16 and 66 and have aspecific disability (physical, intellectual or mental health)which results in your being ‘substantially restricted’ in doingwork that would otherwise be suitable for a person of yourage, experience and qualifications.

You may be required to attend a medical assessment toconfirm your disability if this cannot be decided from yourapplication form alone. The decision to approve your appli-cation is made by the Deciding Officer based on the reportof the Medical Assessor who is a registered doctor.

Do not be discouraged from applying by bureaucraticform-filling. The system is generally designed to be user-friendly and there are help-lines available. People who feelthey may not be able to adequately represent themselvesare entitled to be assisted or accompanied by a disabilityadvocate.

DA is a means-tested payment. A test of means is a wayof checking if you have enough money to support yourselfand what amount of payment, if any, you may qualify for.Means tests are complex. It is difficult for an individual toassess their own means accurately. This is why it is impor-tant to apply – you may qualify. Even if you do not qualifyfor the full personal rate of DA you may get a reduced rateand be entitled to certain secondary benefits.

The full personal rate of Disability Allowance is currentlypaid at €204.30 per week for qualifying individuals. If youare married or living with a partner and you both qualify forDA, you are each entitled to a weekly personal rate of DA.If your spouse or partner is in receipt of another social wel-fare payment, you may still get the full personal rate of DA ifthey have no other means. You can receive your payment

by direct credit transfer into a current account or throughyour local post office.

If you are awarded Disability Allowance, you get a FreeTravel Pass automatically. This allows you to travel free onpublic transport and your spouse or partner to travel free inyour company. If you are unable to travel alone, you maybe entitled to a Companion Free Travel Pass.

DA may also entitle you to receive the Household Bene-fits Package which is made up from three allowances:electricity or gas allowance, telephone allowance and freetelevision licence. These allowances provide contributionstowards your electricity or gas and are applied directly toyour bills, where applicable.

You are entitled to earn up to €120 per week from whatis termed “rehabilitative or therapeutic” work without affect-ing your Disability Allowance. This may include participationon a FÁS training Course or Community EmploymentScheme.

Equally, if you are thinking of returning to second or thirdlevel education and are receiving a reduced rate of DA, youcan apply for a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). Pro-vided you are over 18 years of age, the BTEA entitles youto the full personal rate of DA and an annual Cost of Edu-cation Allowance of €500.

DISABILITY ENTITLEMENTSAND YOU

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APPEALS OFFICEIf you think you have been wrongly refused DisabilityAllowance or you disagree with the decision of theDeciding Officer you can appeal this decision, within21 days, to the Appeals Office. The Social WelfareAppeals Office is an independent agency and notpart of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.You can contact the Appeals Office at LoCall 1890747 434 or see www.socialwelfareappeals.ie

WHERE CAN I GET FURTHER INFORMATION?

DISABILITY ALLOWANCE The first step in applying for DA is to complete andreturn Application Form DA 1 which is available fromyour local Social Welfare Services Office or LoCall Leaflet Request Line 1890 20 23 25.

Alternately you can download an application formfrom www.welfare.ie Documents SW 29 gives a fullexplanation of Disability Allowance.

FREE TRAVEL PASS AND COMPANION PASSContact Free Travel Section, Department of Socialand Family Affairs, College Rd, Sligo LoCall 1890 500 000 or see www.welfare.ie

HOUSEHOLD BENEFITS PACKAGEContact Household Benefits Section, Department ofSocial and Family Affairs, College Rd., Sligo LoCall 1890 500 000 or see www.welfare.ie

BACK TO WORK ALLOWANCETo apply for BTWA, phone LoCall 1890 202 325 andrequest form BTW1 and information leaflet SW 93 orcontact Department of Social and Family Affairs, Car-rick-on-Shannon 071 967 2698 LoCall 1890 66 22 44 or see www.welfare.ie

BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCETo apply for BTEA, phone LoCall 1890 202 325 and request form BTE1 or contact the Department ofSocial and Family Affairs, Carrick-on-Shannon 071 967 2698 LoCall 1890 66 22 44 or see www.welfare.ie

REHABILITATIVE WORKContact the Department of Social and Family Affairs LoCall 1890 66 22 44 or see www.welfare.ie

GOING IT ALONELiam Conlon, who has a severe form of ataxic cere-bral palsy, qualified for Disability Allowance overtwenty years ago when the payment was referred toas the Disabled Persons’ Maintenance Allowance.

Liam is currently living in a residential setting at ThePhoenix Lodge in Limerick City but intends movinginto private accommodation in the coming months.Liam’s main source of income is the full rate of Dis-ability Allowance which he describes as “a smallamount of money on which to survive.”

However, he remains determined to return to com-munity living and believes by managing his resourcesefficiently he will be in a position to support himself.“Each person has their own unique set of require-ments which must be met by combining a number ofresources,” says Liam.

In Liam’s case, in addition to Disability Allowance,he also qualifies for Mobility Allowance. When hemoves into his own accommodation, he will qualifyfor the Living Alone Allowance and the HouseholdBenefits Package. People living on their own whoqualify for Disability Alowance are also entitled to theLiving Alone Allowance. By combining these al-lowances with personal assistant hours provided bythe IWA Assisted Living Service, he is confident hecan live independently.

This feature is supported by:

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SHOEHORN AND DRESSING AIDThis long-handled device combines a dressing stick and shoe-horn. The stick has an s-shaped hook at one end, and a long-handled shoehorn at the other. The hook end can be used tohelp put on articles of clothing or to reach clothes hangers onhigh closet rails. The plastic handle is covered in foam fora comfortable built-up grip. Available at approx €29.84from a range of suppliers, including: Murray’s Med-ical Equipment, Dublin (01 855 5733) andOrthocare Ltd, Wicklow (01 2762770).

living

KINGS BUTTON HOOKThis dressing aid is like another strong steady hand! It al-lows the user to fasten their buttons using one hand. Ithas a looped wire, which is mounted on a large con-toured handle. The looped wire hook is fed through thebuttonhole, hooked over the button and pulled backthrough the hole to fasten the button. Available at€11.96 from Murray’s Medical Equipment, Dublin. Tel: 01855 5733.

Sometimes you need a helping hand. Bending over to put yoursocks on is easier said than done, and struggling to reach thatjumper on a high shelf is frustrating. Kiara Lynch picks out somehelpful clothing aids

CLEVER CLOTHING AIDS

TALKING COLOR DETECTORThis lightweight talking colour detector can checkanything from the colour of clothes to the ripenessof fruit! The user holds the detector against thesurface and an automated voice tells you theexact colour of the surface. The device is suppliedwith a clip-on cover to protect the sensors whilebeing carried in a pocket. Available at €50 fromthe National Council for the Blind, Dublin. Tel: 1850 334353.

33spokeout

HANDI-REACHERUsing this reacher enables the user to reach and pickup items without having to bend or stretch. Thereacher has a metal shaft, trigger handle, magnet,dressing hook and clasping jaws. To close the jawsand lift an object, the user squeezes the handle, andthe item is held securely in place while being lifted.The head of the reacher has a magnet for picking up

small metal items and a dressing hook to aiddressing. Available at €19.70 from

Murray’s Medical Equipment,Dublin. Tel: 01 855

5733

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JOY G8 SLIPPERSJoy G8 slippers, from the Cosyfeet range, are suitable for both in-door and outdoor use. Seamless around the toe, the slippers areeasy fitting, as well as having velcro straps for front fastening.They are made of breathable microfibre that can bewiped clean with a damp cloth. Available onorder at approx €40 from the same rangeof suppliers who supply ExtraRoomy Softhold® Socks.

FLEXIBLE SOCK AND STOCKING AIDFor people who have difficulty bending at thewaist when putting on their socks, this light-weight sock applicator may be helpful. Theinside of the sock trough is lined in nylon,which allows the foot to slide easily throughthe trough. The terry cloth outer coveringholds the sock in place until it is pulled uponto the foot. The slits in the flexible socktrough allow for contour bending around theuser’s heel. Available at approx €23 from arange of suppliers, including: Ability Matters,Waterford (051 3370 16); H & H Products,Wexford (053 942 0914); Healthcare 21,Dublin (01 885 5551); Murray’s MedicalEquipment, Dublin (01 855 5733); OPM Ltd,Dublin (01 463 0090); Orthocare Ltd, Wick-low (01 276 2770); and Orthorest BackCareLtd, Dublin (01 401 1555).

EXTRA ROOMY SOFTHOLD® SOCKSThese socks from the Cosyfeet range are designed for comfort for people with limitedmobility. They do not restrict circulation, and offer a smooth seam at the toe and definedheels for comfort. Available at approx €14 from a range of suppliers, including: H & HProducts, Wexford (053 942 0914); Murray’s Medical Equipment, Dublin (01 855 5733);Aalba Foot Clinic, Roscommon (071 962 3033); Brendan Flanagan Pharmacy, Dublin (01882 4360);Gannon’s Pharmacy, Laois (057 862 1310); Homecare Medical Supplies Ltd,Mayo/Galway (094 963 3800 / 091 567812); JP Moran Drapers, Cork (063 81327); Med-ical Express Ltd, Limerick/Kerry (061 416671 / 064 33006);Monica MacDonald, Wicklow(0404 67274); Nursing Needs Ltd, Waterford (051 874 622); Protecwear, Kildare (086068 3626); The Foot Clinic, Kilkenny/Monaghan (056 779 5716 / 047 81749); The MallPharmacy, Sligo (071 914 4262); and Well Shod, Kildare (045 532 792 / 045 532 694).The Cosyfeet range can also be purchased online from UK website www.cosyfeet.com

These are just ideas! Spokeout does not recommend any specific products or suppliers. We advise readers to shop around and, if appropriate, check with an OT to ensure a product is suitable for an individual’s needs. For more information on aids and appliances of any kind, visit www.assistireland.ie

DECORATIVE SPOKE GUARDSI know, these have absolutely no function asclothing aids, but I just couldn’t resist includingthese cute spoke guards, which wouldbrighten up the dullest wheelchair. The guardsare suitable for use on 22” or 24” rear wheels,

and are designed to provide a protective coverto the spokes of the wheels. They are from

the Action 3 Junior and Kuschall range ofwheelchair accessories. However, they are allfitted using cable ties so they can go on anychair with the same wheel size. Available atprices ranging at approx €110 from InvacareIreland Limited, Dublin. For an extra charge,

designs can be customised to include yourcounty colours, etc. Contact Ray Ryan on

01 8107 084 or [email protected]

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Glasson, Athlone, Westmeath. Phone: 087 8400403, 086 247 8629, 0906 439786

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With over 10 years experience teaching people with disabilities to drive, much respected IWA instructor Barry Reid gives RobbieCousins some tips on how candidates should approach thelearning process and driving test

Barry Reid has helped many overcome physicaland psychological challenges to get their full driving licence. He says: “Learning to drive andpassing the driving test are both very much about

using common sense. It is amazing how what might be perceived as insurmountable obstacles can be overcomewhen logic and common sense are applied to the problem.”

Barry is part of an elite team of specialist instructors inIreland who work with IWA and have achieved Queen Eliz-abeth Foundation (QEF) accreditation level, as well as hav-ing Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) status, an Irish Statequalification. The UK-based QEF is a world authority dedi-cated to increasing the independence and life skills of people with disabilities. Barry says: “I took their instructioncourse in the UK a few years back, and last year QEF instructors came to Ireland to run a course for other IWAinstructors. As instructors, we are all dedicated to the workwe do, and realise that for people with a disability, drivingcan be the difference between dependence and independ-ence. And the good news is that most people with disabili-ties can learn to drive. All it takes is patience on behalf ofthe student and understanding on behalf of the instructorto move lessons at a pace suited to the student.”

Barry explains that a client can need as little as five hoursor over 50 hours of lessons before they are ready for thetest. “Every case is unique, and every learning experienceis also unique. In some cases a person who may havedriven previously to sustaining an injury that left them witha disability may just need a few hours to become familiarwith the controls. In another instance a person’s lack of experience or the severity of their disability could mean it

will take more hours to master control of the car and learnto drive. The important thing is that people understandthat, no matter how long it takes, there are very few peoplewho, given time, cannot learn to drive.”

He adds: “I can never tell someone how long it will taketo learn, but I can tell them that taking longer does notnecessarily mean they are a worse driver, it just means thatthey may face more challenges than others.” Barry pointsout that in some instances, for example where there is alearning disability, “continued repetitive actions will ulti-mately become instinctive, so while the process might befrustrating for the client, it can ultimately deliver results.”

CAN ANYONE LEARN TO DRIVE?From his experience, Barry believes that if a person getsthrough their initial assessment before lessons, it is veryrare for them not to be able to learn to drive. “It is very rareto find a candidate who we believe we cannot teach. How-ever, if we do, we will identify the problem, suggest solu-tions, and ask them to return for another assessment at alater date if their situation improves.

INITIAL ASSESSMENTBefore being allowed to take driving lessons, an applicantis assessed on two criteria to ensure their potential abilityto drive. First, a learner’s permit (formerly provisional li-cence) is a standard requirement for anyone wanting totake driving lessons. To obtain this, the applicant under-goes an eyesight test as well as taking a theory test. Thetheory test comprises 40 questions of which 35 must beanswered correctly.

LEARNING TO DRIVE

Driving Instructor Barry Reidin his adapted IWA vehicle

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For applicants with a disability, the next stage is an as-sessment. There are two types of assessment, dependingon the nature of the disability. The first type is an ‘in-car’assessment, which is with a driving instructor only. This isfor applicants who have a spinal injury or are amputees.The other type of assessment is with an OccupationalTherapist (OT) and driving instructor and this is for appli-cants who have suffered a head injury such as stroke orbrain trauma. This assessment enables the OT to makerecommendations that will assist the applicant in learningto drive. The second part of this assessment involves thedriving instructor and OT taking the applicant for a drive toassess their coordination skills. If the applicant is success-ful, lessons can begin. “By the end of the assessment, weshould be able to identify the key challenges facing theclient and from there we can devise a programme of les-sons,” says Barry.

DRIVING LESSONSBarry says the first two things a driver must learn are roadposition and being able to maintain road speed. “If a clientcan stay between the lines and hold a good constant speedfrom an early stage, then many of the skills of driving will fol-low quickly. Keeping the car straight and on the road canbe most difficult. Furthermore, people using hand controlsare generally only using one hand to steer the car, and thisrequires a huge amount of effort – power steering or not.”

He continues: “It is generally the left hand that is used forsteering with a steering ball. If you work a steering ball anddo nothing but steer with that ball for 30 minutes, your leftarm will be falling off with pain within that half hour. When aperson uses two hands on the wheel both hands are bal-ancing muscle usage.”

One tip Barry gives all his students is this. “In the weekprior to their first lesson, I ask clients to hold a bag of sugarin an outstretched hand for as long as they can eachevening. Say, as they are watching TV for instance. It canbe incredibly painful as they are working muscles that theymay not have worked before. But if they apply themselvesto this, by the time they take their first lesson the increasein strength in their arm will be of huge benefit to them.”

Once lessons start, Barry advises: “When a difficult chal-lenge arises, don’t be disheartened, work with the instruc-tor to overcome it. There are few obstacles we have nottackled before. We build confidence through encourage-ment, all we ask is that students trust our instincts andallow us to help them, no matter how long it takes.”

TAKING THE TESTThe instructor will advise the client when they believe theyhave reached a level of competence to take the test. Theinstructor can also act on behalf of the candidiate to organ-ise the test, advising the tester on the types of adaptationsthe client uses. Barry is delighted to point out that waitingtimes have been cut considerably, and clients could takethe test within three to five weeks in certain parts of the

country. A test supervisor, who is specifically skilled to testdrivers with disabilities, conducts the test.

Barry explains: “On the day of the test, every effort ismade to ensure that the client is comfortable. If, for in-stance, it is unduly inconvenient for the client to go into thetest centre, the tester will ask the initial test questions in car.This test generally comprises five questions, usually, but notalways, on road signs, markings, stop distances, and tyrethread depth. Sometimes a candidate can be asked toopen the bonnet, but again this will not happen if the candi-date has a disability that inhibits their ability to do this.”

ON THE ROADOn the road, the test is identical to standard driving tests,with a few obvious considerations (eg an arm amputee willnot be asked to perform hand signals).

The driving test takes about 40 minutes, and upon com-pletion the tester will remain in the car to explain the result.Barry says: “We are confident that anyone we put forwardfor testing is ready to be tested. Likewise, candidatesshould understand that while testers can make allowancesfor disabilities, the test is exactly the same as a standardtest and the candidate will be judged on their driving skills.The trick is to be confident and enjoy showing what youhave learnt in the previous months. Passing the driving testis an important moment in most people’s lives and my col-leagues and I are proud to be able to give so many peoplethe opportunity to achieve that.”

BARRY’S TOP FIVE DRIVING TIPS

1. Take driving lessons from an Approved Driving In-structor (ADI), which is a State required qualification.

2. Trust the instincts of the instructor. They are dedi-cated professionals and have helped people over-come numerous driving obstacles. So always beopen and clear on any difficulties you have.

3. Be confident in your own ability, and don’t get frus-trated if difficult challenges arise. It may take somestudents longer to pick up skills, but they will come.

4. On test day, allow yourself plenty of time to reachthe test centre, and always allow for traffic delays.

5. Be confident. The big trick to passing the test isconfidence. Enjoy showing the tester what you havelearnt in your driving lessons.

For more information on learning to drive, contactIWA’s National Mobility Centre in Clane, Co Kildare, on tel: 045 893094 or email: [email protected]

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We at Irishstairlifts & Bathrooms are a family run business withover10 years experience in disability access.One of our main aims has always been to carry out adaptationswithin your home as quickly and efficiently as possible ensuringthe minimum inconvenience to you and your family.Irishstairlifts & Bathrooms are committed to giving you our customer the best attention at all times.

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Finola Kelly tells us why she is proudto consider herself a born-again exercise fanatic

Ispent most of 2007 in hospital where I discoveredamong other things exercise. This was a totally new ex-perience for me as, apart from walking and cycling whichI did in abundance when I was young to save on bus

fares, I hadn’t really been interested in physical activity of anykind. I was particularly adverse to the competition that sportinvolved, with its emphasis on winning. Of course, nowadayswe are taught that it is not winning that counts but participa-tion. But I could not see that either; all that effort for effort’ssake. I was fundamentally a couch potato and as I grewolder, the bike was left behind to be replaced by the bus,and eventually a car. When Iwas diagnosed with MS in mylate thirties, it seemed to pro-vide an excuse for my inactivelifestyle. Then in 2007, while Iwas in the process of recover-ing from an operation to re-move a brain tumour, Iexperienced something of arevelation with regard to my at-titude to exercise. I becamelike a born-again Christian, except my religion was exercise.Devoted to it, inspired by it, and committed to taking everyopportunity I got to pass on the good news that exercise iswhat the body requires to keep it strong, supple andstraight.

Immediately after my operation, I was in a bad way. I wastotally immobile and needed assistance with everything in-cluding eating. Once I got my head around what was hap-pening to me and realised I was unable to do the most basicpersonal tasks, I lay in a state of panic. I visualised a life of in-activity and helplessness, thoughts of which terrified me.Thankfully, salvation appeared two days after my operation,although I did not realise at the time that it was salvation…

There appeared at my bedside two ‘physios’. When theyintroduced themselves and their exercise plans for me, Ilooked at them with disbelief. I protested, weakly, as it hap-

pened, such was my physicalcondition at the time. Unde-terred, they kept up a livelychatter, gently prodding myimmobile limbs and telling methey would bring me to thegym the next day. Somehow Iprotested, more strongly now.“Gym?” I whispered, as loudlyas I was able. “But I won’t beable to do anything in the

gym,” I croaked. “You’ll be surprised. See you at 10o’clock.” And they disappeared.

That was that. The next morning, still in my bed, I waswheeled down to the gym and was told to do various move-ments while still in the bed. All in all it took about six minutes

GETTINGPHYSICAL

“My basic chronic disease is stillthere, but my strength and

flexibility as a result of exercisehas made me into a new person

with stamina and strength“

Finola arrives at the IWA gym inClontarf for her daily work out

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then I was wheeled back to the ward. My conversion to ex-ercise was not instantaneous but my mind was beginningto open up, perhaps simply because I was so desperate toget mobile, who knows. There was a lot at stake: either Idid exercise to get me mobile or... I refused to think of thealternative.

Over eighteen months later, I am a regular gym user; infact I would go so far as to say I am an enthusiastic, dedi-cated gym user and ‘exercise freak’. My conversion wasslow but life-changing, and now if I don’t get my dailyadrenaline rush, I feel out of sorts, sluggish and drowsy. Ican say quite honestly that today, as a result of regular vis-its to the gym and fall-back exercises in the home (when Icannot get to the gym), I am a changed person.

Let’s face it, we all know that the modern life style is notconducive to fitness. In the past, walking was often theonly way to get to places. My husband recalls his grand-mother walking, in a single day, from Drumcondra toCastleknock and back to see her sister. But that was then.Photographs of her show a lean, statuesque lady, and sheunsurprisingly lived to a ripe old age. Nowadays, the aver-age human physique has changed quite a bit. Just take alook at a crowd scene in an old movie and you will marvelat the change.

Appearance, however, is secondary when health is aconsideration. Has my health improved since I took up ex-ercise? If sense of wellbeing is healthy, I would say that myhealth has improved immeasurably. My basic chronic dis-ease is still there, but my strength and flexibility as a resultof exercise has made me into a new person with staminaand strength.

In building my exercise routine,I drew particularly on the twogreat physical practitioners ofmodern exercise, MatthiasAlexander (Alexander Technique)and Joseph Pilates (Pilates).Both men suffered from ill healthduring childhood and it was their determination to over-come their physical weakness that resulted in their study ofthe human body. They were the first to recognise and re-alise that functioning of the human body had become com-promised, i.e. the body is doing things in our modernsociety it was not programmed to do. For instance, drivinga car for hours, sitting down for long periods, using a com-puter – all functions that affect the body so that our postureand movements become distorted and disjointed.

Both Alexander Technique and Pilates work on the mindas well as the body and the corner stone of their physicalexercise is movement. My physios introduced me to bothtechniques while I was in hospital (over ten months in total)and, once I got interested, I began researching myselfthrough the internet, books and DVDs.

Exercising is not easy as both mental and physical effortis required and each is as important as the other. Putting itsimply, the mind has to be utilised to get the body working.

One has to be strict with oneself and there is a lot of disci-pline required to get oneself into a correct frame of mindbefore ever doing exercise. Having got into the right stateof mind (banishing the word “cannot”), then it is time to getphysical.

So in my quest to become fit, a whole new world hasopened up for me. I am a regular user of the IWA gym in

Clontarf and practise specific exer-cises combining Pilates and Alexan-der technique as well as my ownexercises which I do because I sim-ply enjoy doing them. I havereached that stage where I enjoyexercise and the feeling of wellbeingit induces. I would urge anyone who

has a chronic illness, ill health or physical impairment, andwho wants to feel alive, to get moving.

I know it is hard to get over the negative ‘please don’tbother me’ attitude you develop after experiencing an ill-ness or set back. I was lucky in that my physios gave meno other choice but to get moving. Just remember thatyour perseverance will eventually pay off as you begin tosee the obvious progress you are making.

There is something to suit everyone in the world of exer-cise and age is no barrier. Choose the exercise that suitsyou, be it gentle exercise like yoga or Pilates or more stren-uous exercise like aerobics or weights. With gentle applica-tion, persistence and encouragement (plenty of which isavailable from IWA gym instructors Ritchie, Ciaran, Laragh,Michael and Thomas), you will amazed how exercise willgive you a new lease of life no matter what age or level offitness. Remember the old maxim: if you don’t use it, youlose it! Your body will thank you for it.

“There was a lot at stake: either I did exercise to get

me mobile or… I refused to think of the alternative”

Finola using therowing machine

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CRC MedicalChanging The Provision of Seating & Mobility Equipment in Ireland

CRC Medical is a client focused company, and our aim in 2009 isto provide our clients with the highest quality solutions available to them in the shortest time frame.

CRC Medical is a “not for profit company”.

Our team has a proven track record of quality & reliability andare always happy to help with any questions or queries you mayhave…

www.crcmedical.com

CRC Medical introduces the OSD Rocket 2 & Rocket Kids Power Chairs to the Irish MarketThese are high quality powered wheelchairs with many extra features as standard thus lowering the cost of powered mobility in Ireland.

Standard Features …� Electric Tilt in Space� Width & Depth Adjustable Seat� Manually Angle & Tension Adjustable Backrest� Rear Wheel Suspension� Legrests Are Swing Away & Removable� LED Rear/Front Lights With Indicators – Built In

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Kids Rocket Chair €3995.00Rocket 2 €3995.00

CRC Medical stock the following wheelchairs, cushions & accessories:Invacare Delta Orthropaedic FlotechSunrise Medical OSD Jay Cushions & Jay BacksPermobil PDG Matrx Seating Systems

For More Information Contact

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Seatown Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland.Tel : 00 353 1 8833293 • Fax : 00 353 1 8833294

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SCUBA diving is fun, liberating and surprisingly relaxing, says Gary Allen

Being taught how to swim at an early age meant Ialways had a special affinity with the water. Idon’t think it would be incorrect to say that this isthe case for a lot of physically disabled people as

it’s a medium where your disability can be somewhat less-ened by the buoyancy.

Until a couple of years ago, my water excursionsamounted to frequent visits to the swimming pool and notmuch else. Then I took up sailing and that opened my eyesto a whole new realm of water-based activity. That wouldhave been enough tokeep me entertained.That is until I heardabout SCUBA divingfor the disabled.

SCUBA (Self-Con-tained UnderwaterBreathing Apparatus)diving for people withdisabilities was pioneered by a Scot called Fraser Bath-gate. Fraser took up SCUBA diving after he was paralysedin a climbing accident when he was 23. He became theworld’s first wheelchair user to qualify as a diving instructor.

Charlie Brehony, who runs the Galway Dive School, iscommitted to making diving in his organisation as inclusiveas possible, and he recently got Fraser over to Galway totrain several members of Galway Dive Club (GDC) to be-come qualified instructors to disabled divers. When I metCharlie and he told me about his plans, I couldn’t pass upthe opportunity to give it a go.

Not having heard of SCUBA diving for people with dis-abilities before, I hadn’t a clue what to expect. As with allfirst time divers, my ‘try dive’ took place in a swimming

pool, so when the ap-pointed date and time ar-rived I made my way toLeisureland in Galway. Itwas only when I arrivedthat it hit me what I hadsigned up to do.

I changed into my wet-suit and met Charlie and

some others from GDC at the pool side. Charlie talked methrough the equipment. The basic equipment for a SCUBAdive is a mask, fins, air tank, buoyancy control device andthe breathing apparatus itself.

INTO THE BLUE

“…the effort and concentration involvedmade me forget about my breathing to

the point where being underwaterseemed completely natural. They guys

even produced a Frisbee…”

Charlie instructing Gary

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Once I was kitted out, there was a little work to be doneto see if any extra weight needed to be added to the buoy-ancy control device to ensure I sank under water. This wasmy first experience of breathing underwater and it did takeme a few minutes to get used to the concept of breathingnormally under water, but wasn’t long before I was actuallysitting on the bottom of the pool, albeit the shallow end.

At this stage, Charlie pointed to the deep end of the pooland I crawled along the pool floor until the depth started todrop gradually and I soon found myself seven feet under-water.

For the first while I had to concentrate hard on breathingnormally, but when it came to making my way down to thedeep end, the effort and concentration involved made meforget about my breathing to the point where being under-water seemed completely natural. They guys even pro-duced a Frisbee which we started to throw around.

The dive was to take two hours and I really did think theclock was wrong when I saw that the two hours werenearly gone. I had immersed myself in a new world for twohours and loved every second.

A lot of you reading this will appreciate the freedom thatwater gives. The reduced sense of gravity can be very liber-

ating. In my opinion, SCUBA diving takes this to a wholenew level. I can’t recommend the experience highlyenough. Unexpectedly, I found the whole experience veryrelaxing once I got used to it, which is probably down tothe complete silence underwater. However, there is nodoubt that the overriding benefit of SCUBA diving is that itis bloody great fun!

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USEFUL INFORMATION

GALWAY DIVE SCHOOL Tel: 085 2626957 www.divegalway.com

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HANDICAPPED DIVERSwww.iahd.org

SCUBA DIVING GENERAL INFOwww.thescubaguide.com/introduction

Charlie, Benny and Tonyfrom Galway Dive Clubwith Gary before the dive

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TRANSFORM YOUR VEHICLECar Interior Design brings to the marketplace a professional team of craftsmenwho understand the importance of the perfect interior.Our fully qualified experienced coach builders, trimmers and technicians arecapable of vehicle interiors which will delight the most demanding of clients.From our dedicated workshop in Galway City we can service a national clientbase. Our good customer relations is verified with much of our business comingfrom existing customers or referral from satisfied clients.

To see what we can do for you, call us on 091 767 439 for completedetails. Or visit our web site www.carinteriordesign.ie

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FREE ACCESS to

EIRCOM Directory EnquiriesEircom provides its directory en-quires service free-of-charge foranyone that can’t use thephonebook due to a sensory orphysical disability or medicalcondition. You can request anapplication form by ringingfreephone 1800 574 574

BLADE RUNNEROscar Pistorius, a South African double amputee, caught headlineswhen he became the first Paralympian to win Gold in 100, 200 and400 metre sprints in the Bejing 2008 Games.

It wasn’t simply Oscar’s achievement that attracted media interestbut also the technology behind his incredible prosthetics. Oscarcredits his Ossur’s Cheetah® Flex Foot running legs – which heoften refers to as blades – with enabling him to run at his fastest andaccomplish his unique achievements.

Össur (www.ossur.co.uk) is an Icelandic based company that spe-cialises in orthopaedics. The company researches and producesproducts within the fields of prosthetics, braces, supports and com-

pression therapy. Similar products are alsomade by Otto Bock (www.otto-

bock.com ), a German-basedcompany specialising in or-

thopaedics.

Adapted rental vehiclesFinding a rental company that hasadapted vehicles on its books can bea difficult task. IWA’s information serv-ice often gets calls from people withdisabilities looking to hire an adaptedvehicle while they are on holiday in Ire-land or while their own vehicle is beingrepaired. At present, we are onlyaware of two companies that providethe service:• Motability Ireland, The Irish MobilityCentre, Ashbourne, Co Meath. For de-tails, contact Motability’s head officeon 01 835 9173 or Jonathan Mooreon 086 805 5072, or visit www.mota-bilityireland.com. Motability Ireland de-livers nationwide.• Vantastic, Unit 2a, Howth JunctionBusiness Park, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5.Call the head office on 1800 242 703 /01 839 2449 for further details, or visitwww.vantastic.ie

Text to report abuse of disabled parkingSligo County Council is delighted withthe success of a new ‘text alert’scheme which makes it easy for peo-ple to report the abuse of disabledparking bays by non-badge holders.

The new system, which waslaunched in November 2008, enablespeople to report traffic problemsaround the streets of Sligo. Text mes-sages from the general public are re-layed via the local authority’sCommunications Office to traffic war-

dens who can then respond imme-diately to the scene of the alert.The scheme has been a particularsuccess amongst the local dis-abled community, who are usingthe system to report widespreadabuse of disabled parking bays.Reports of illegal parking and othertraffic problems within Sligo Townshould be texted to 087 7850566during the hours of 9am to 5pm,Monday to Friday.

PIC

TURE

REP

ROD

UC

ED W

ITH

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MIS

SIO

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• Disabled Persons Extensions • Bathroom Conversions

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Or contact us at: Green Machines, Techna House, Terenure Rd East, Dublin 6. T: (01) 490 0470

E: [email protected] W: www.greenmachines.ie

Showrooms Open Tues-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm

Available From: Nursing Needs

(Waterford),

Homecare Medical Sales(Kiltimagh/Galway),

Aids to Independence(Ennis),

Simply Bathrooms(Dublin),

Cuddihy Mobility(Kilkenny).

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MULLINGAR’S GOT TALENT

HAVE YOU GOT TALENT?ARE YOU THE BEST IN MULLINGAR?

IF SO, WE NEED YOU!The Irish Wheelchair Association, Mullingar, ishosting Mullingar’s Got Talent. Whether you’re 5or 105, if you think you have what it takes tomake it, then why not come along and audition?

Auditions will take place on July 18th in theAnnebrook Hotel, Mullingar, from 10am to6pm, after which 12 acts will be chosen to per-form live on stage in the Arts Centre, Mullingar,on 14th August for a top prize of €500.

This event will raise much-needed funds forthe Irish Wheelchair Association who provide anumber of services for people with physicaldisabilities in the local community. For further information contact Dani Weldon on 04493 47511

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DANCE WORKSHOP IN CAVANWinners on Wheels (WOW) is a Cavan-based groupthat aims to make it possible for young children whoare manual or powered wheelchair users to enjoyrecreational activities. The group is organising a danceworkshop on Saturday 11th July in Cavan Leisure andSports Complex. Two professional wheelchair dancetutors will travel from the UK to teach the class whichis aimed at teaching wheelchair users how to dance.The admission fee will be €10. For further details, con-tact Amanda on 087 7696 404, Denise O’Reilly on086 3300 908, or Carmel Smith on 087 1705 422.

Liberty swing launch

Easi-Cab Travel Club is celebrating tenyears of service to the community. Theservice covering South Dublin andNorth Wicklow has recently expandedto cater for the towns of Wicklow andArklow.

Easi-Cab has a modern fleet of minibuses equipped with ramps and liftswhich provide easy access for wheel-chairs and mobility scooters of allsizes. Carers are welcome to travelfree-of-charge and, where required, anumber of wheelchairs can be accom-modated.

The mini bus dial-a-ride service is

available for all sorts of outings includ-ing shopping trips, visiting friends andfamily, lunch dates, doctor and dentistappointments, theatre and cinematrips, and school outings. Many clubmembers are regular travellers on adaily or weekly basis.

The Easi-Cab Travel Club is a door-to-door service which is open to peo-ple of all ages who have a permanentor temporary need for that little extraassistance when travelling. For moreinformation, visit their website atwww.easicab.net or phone 01 2765548 / 0404 40044.

An Easi-Cab mini-bus

The Variety Club of Ireland recently presented an accessible ‘Lib-erty Swing’ to St Joseph’s School for the Visually Impaired inDrumcondra. Many of the children who attend the school arealso wheelchair users and this swing will enable children with lim-ited mobility to get on the swing without transferring from theirwheelchairs. This is the first swing of its kind in Ireland and onlythe second in Europe.

The Liberty Swing project is an ongoing project for Variety ClubChildren’s Charity who have been helping sick, disabled and dis-advantaged children in Ireland for over 50 years. They hope tocontinue to present liberty swings to playgrounds nationwide. For further details on the project, visit www.varietyireland.org

Wheelchair accessible transport in Wicklow and South Dublin

Trying out the new swing

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All CommuniCarersNURSING AGENCY

Our clients are public & private hospitals, rest homes & privateindividuals. We provide highly qualified & experienced nursingstaff whenever & wherever. We offer short and long term assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Tel: 01 - 851 2022 � Mob: 086 - 872 4736 � Email: [email protected]

www.allcommunicarers.com

TRANSPORT PROVIDERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

Services available:Affordable Door-to-door accessible transport

for our members.Self-drive accessible vehicles which can be driven

by family or friends.

To avail of our service Call 01-6100475(0879146708) or e-mail [email protected]

or visit our web site www.ldag.ie

Located in Galway, “Ken Carroll Adaptations” adapts most makes ofcars and vans for drivers or pas-sengers with physical dis-abilities. Our service listincludes Swivel seats,push and pull hand controlls, Inferred steeringwheel spinners, Leftfoot accelerators, Wheelchair accessiblevehicle adaptations and boot hoists.

ADAPTATIONSKEN CARROLL

car adaptations for the disabledBased in the West of Ireland

Ken Carroll AdaptationsCloonacauneen, Claregalway, Co. Galway

T: 091 798 098 • M: 087 250 2923E: [email protected]

www.kencarrolladaptations.ie

For a consultation or adviceCALL

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Members gathered at IWA’s Annual Conference and AGM inKilkenny to discuss topical issues, celebrate the launch of IWA’snew Access Guidelines and socialise with friends from around thecountry. Emmett Daly from Offaly attended the event

The 49th Annual General Meeting was held in LyrathEstate Hotel, Co Kilkenny on 23rd and 24th May,2009. The theme of the conference was Access =Equal and, as part of the event, IWA launched its

new publication Best Practice Access Guidelines, Design-ing Accessible Environments.

These Access Guidelines look at the points of access inall public and residential areas. There were new measure-ments put forward for public toilets, increasing the turningcircle from 1500mm to 1800mm to cater for those peoplewho use power wheelchairs, making it possible to do a 180

degree turn without any obstacles. There were also propos-als to have assisted bathrooms with the 1800mm turningcircle, a bench for changing or sitting on and a ceiling orportable hoist also. In my opinion, this is a great idea be-cause, as a person who needs assistance myself, I find itvery hard to find any places in public that I can use a bath-room in comfort. Even if I have my own hoist it’s almost im-possible to get a wheelchair toilet that is big enough for theelectric wheelchair and hoist too. So I would be a big fighterto see this plan coming into action as soon as possible.

The Access Guidelines also include a plan for a fully

IWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND AGM 2009:

ACCESS = EQUAL

Kathleen Mc Loughlin, CEO with John Moloney, TD, Minister of State, Department of Health and Children

Jimmy Byrne, Secretary, IWA; Pat Crotty, Lord Mayor of Kilkenny; andMolly Buckley, Vice Chairperson, IWA

Donal Toolan, who chaired the panel discussion, with CEO KathleenMc Loughlin

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wheelchair accessible house. It has a main bedroom withspace enough left for your chair and also a hoist too ifneeded, as well as a good-sized en suite bathroom andspare bedroom. The kitchen and dining area are combinedin an open-plan style with plenty of space to move around,again with the 1800mm turning circle. Other clever ideasincluded a store room which would be very handy to storeaway all the hoists, spare chairs and cushions, and acanopy outside the door, to keep you dry in the predictableIrish weather!!! I found the plan very interesting as I amlooking into planning for an extension onto our existinghouse, or perhaps even building my own house.

Mr John Moloney, TD, Minister of State at the Depart-

ment of Health and Children with special responsibility fordisability, was the special guest at the Conference and hewas very much in favour of the proposed access recom-mendations. The committee behind the new access guide-lines comprised occupational therapists, members and oneof the founders of the Association, Oliver Murphy. It wasclear that everyone on the committee put a lot of time andeffort into the new guidelines. We hope to see these guide-lines in general use sooner rather than later.

On Saturday evening there was a Gala Dinner which wasvery nice. After the meal, everyone let their hair down anddanced away to the brilliant music provided by The MarbleCity Sounds until nearly 2am. Sunday morning quickly

Liz Fogarty and Eamon Cleere, Kilkenny

John Donovan, Kilkenny

Volunteers Tom Delaney and Mick Cantwell, Kilkenny Branch John Ryan, Chairperson, Tipperary Town Branch and John Harrington,volunteer and CE staff member, IWA, Tipperary Town

Minister John Moloney talking with a member

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ACCESS GUIDELINES Since the foundation of IWA in 1960, accesshas been a priority issue for members. Withthis in mind, IWA has developed a new pub-lication Best Practice Access Guidelines,Designing Accessible Environments. Thedevelopment of the guidelines involved taking into ac-count national and international regulations, best practiceguidelines and standards, as well as the life experiencesof many of IWA’s 20,000 members. The guidelines caninform plans for the development of new facilities or forthe upgrading of existing facilities, and will also beused to influence future legislation. The guidelines areavailable on www.iwa.ie For a CD version, pleasecontact IWA on [email protected] or 01 818 6455. A limitednumber of hard copy versions are also available.Readers are invited to respond with comments orsuggestions, and IWA will endeavour to amend sub-sequent editions of the guidelines accordingly.

MESSAGE FROM KATHLEEN MC LOUGHLIN, CEOOur summer issue comes to you follow-ing our very successful AGM and Confer-ence in Kilkenny. It was great to see such

a huge attendance at the Conference again this year, asit is our only occasion annually to bring members, staffand volunteers from right across the country together.

I believe it is vital that we get together nationally withmembers to debate the issues identified by them as priorities for the Association. Our theme this year ‘Access = Equal’ provided the opportunity for muchstimulating debate, and Conference feedback indicatesthat the launch of the Association’s Access Guidelineswas viewed by many of you as a very positive develop-ment for the Association. The guidelines have been verywell received and we are working hard to ensure thatthey are distributed widely. Our task now, is to ensurethat we encourage all those concerned with the designand building of our physical environment to implementthe recommendations therein. We encourage all mem-bers to support us in this effort.

In this issue, we have enclosed a ticket for our‘Friends of IWA’ draw. Please consider if you can per-haps join the draw, or alternatively if you can encouragesomeone you know to join. As you are all aware, ourfunding has been cut by three percent this year and sowe will have a significant shortfall in funds. We are hop-ing that if we can encourage new people to become‘Friends of IWA’ we can raise enough money to allowus to continue to provide services at current levels.Please do what you can.

came around and we found ourselves back in the hands ofthe IWA staff again.

Kathleen Mc Loughlin, CEO, said a few lovely wordsabout members who had passed away during the year in-cluding Phili Murphy who was a very good and close friendof mine. I thought it was very good of Kathleen to say thefew words about individual members and show that we areknown as people and not just a number. There were nonew members elected onto the Board as no nomineeswere put forward, so existing members resumed their posi-tions on the Board.

It was a brilliant weekend and I believe it’s in Kilkennyagain next year. Hope to see ye all there!

Tuam members and branch volunteers

Martin Costello, Kilkenny

Kilkenny City & District Pipe Band

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D CH

Derek Hanlon Contractor to Dublin City Council for all disabled persons needs for over 15 years.

Including;• Walk in, level access,

standard shower trays• Access Ramps• All grant work covered• Member of CIF• Serving all of

greater Dublin• Free no obligations

survey.• Fully insured

Contractor for all disabled persons including showers & access ramps

Ballymount, Dublin 24, Co. DublinMob: 087 25242138 www.disabilityneeds.com

Free assessments carried out by appointment

NEW DUBLIN SHOWROOMUnit 8 St Anthony's Business Park,

Ballymount Road Dublin 22Tel: 014642768 � Fax 014642777

Opposite Red Cow HotelOpen to the public

Automatic Toilets • Bathroom adaptations • Daily Living Aids • Riser/ Recliner chairs

• Electric and Manual wheelchairs • Scooters • Profiling beds.

DISABILITY NEEDS LTD

� If you, or a member of your

family have difficulty getting

Accessible Door-to-Door Transport in

South and West Dublin ...or

� If you are a person with a

disability, or who has a mobility

difficulty, which prevents you

from getting to or using public

transport...

A.C.T.S IS HERE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR

ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT NEEDS.

� We provide a service for our members from Dun

Laoghaire to Tallaght and in towards the City Centre with our

ACTS minibuses

� We will take you to meetings, training courses,

appointments, shopping and even for a night out!

Please call 292 1573 / 292 1574 for further details or visit our website:

www.actsltd.ie

Accessible Community Transport Southside

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Over 200 women braved the searing sun to takepart in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon onbehalf of IWA

Participants in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, which took placeon Bank Holiday Monday 1st June 2009, tackled the 10 kilo-metre walk in sweltering heat in order to raise much-neededfunds for IWA. Gathering first in IWA’s marquee in the Char-

ity Village on Merrion Square, the runners stocked up on water andtook time to customise their IWA t-shirts, before moving on to thestart line. Over 200 women took part on behalf of IWA, in-cluding CEO Kathleen Mc Loughlin, and the emphasiswas on having fun rather than breaking any records!

MINI MARATHON

SUCCESS

‘Team Sligo’

Tipperary ‘ladies’

Lorraine Doherty

Gerry Sharvin and Jimmy Byrne

Natasha Spremo,Michelle Byrne andKathleen Mc Loughlin

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CUISLE OPEN FISHING COMPETITIONCuisle Holiday Centre hosted the inaugural Cuisle Open Fish-ing Competition for people with disabilities at Easter. Theoverall winner of the Cuisle Open Perpetual Shield wasMossy Breakell from Co Galway. Three competitors, DerekIngley, Mossy Breakell and Mark McKnight, went on to repre-sent Ireland in The Cuisle International Fishing Competition at which the overall winners were the team from Holland.

LEITRIM ADVOCACY SERVICEAt the launch of the Leitrim Advocacy Service, a partner-ship between IWA and the CIB, are (l-r): Seán Sweeney,Chairman of the CIB Leitrim; Helen LaHert, Advocacy andAccessibility Manager, CIB; Elaine Morris, Leitrim AdvocacyService; special guest Charlie McGettigan; Dolores Tiernan,Development Manager, CIB; and James Raftery, IWA

SPIRIT DAY TRIP TO KILDAREAt the end of April, 16 SPIRIT members fromthe Ardee centre visited the National Stud andJapanese Gardens in Kildare. The weather wasnot great at the beginning of the journey, how-ever the sun shone when they arrived and agreat day was had by all. St Fiachra’s Gardens,in the National Stud, looked spectacular andwere very accessible. Another visit is plannedfor those who could not make it on the day!

JOHN SULLIVAN CENTRE BALLMembers and staff at theJohn Sullivan Resource Cen-tre in Clane, Co Kildare, heldtheir annual formal ball inFebruary. The ball, which isnow in its third year, cameabout when members de-cided it would be fun tohold a glamorous eveningevent, where everyonecould get a chance to puton their ‘glad rags’ andparty. This year some menopted for black tie, whilstladies wore an array ofstunning dresses. A lot of hard work goesinto the occasion, making it a very worth-while date for the diary.

EVENTS

Service user Bridget Lally withstaff member Sinead Burke

Dolores Dunne

and Jim Daly

Lizzy Mooney andMatt Maguire

Pictured (l-r): Front row: Derek Ingley, Mossy Breakell and Mark McKnightBack row: Gearoid Weadick, Shelly Heelan and Javier Vega (volunteers)

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ARDEE GROUP HOLIDAY IN WEXFORDA group of 25 members from Ardeeenjoyed a three-night break in Wex-ford Town during May. The groupstayed in White’s Hotel which theyfound very accessible, although thefootpaths and narrow streets in thehistoric town centre left somethingto be desired! With great food andtraditional music in the hotel eachnight, the group had a fantasticbreak and many of the service userssaid they would love to return toWexford some time soon.

ROSE OF TRALEE VISITS CLONTARF CENTREThe 2008 Rose of Tralee, Aoife Kelly, paid a visit to theClontarf ROC and Regional Training Unit (RTU) earlier inthe year. IWA was selected by the Rose of Tralee Festi-val as its 2008 charity and Aoife, an Occupational Ther-apist at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, DunLaoghaire, will act as an ambassador for IWA during herreign. Aoife was shown some of the wonderful artwork being undertaken by members and hadtime for a chat with many. Also on the day,there was a performance of ‘Two Peas & aFried Egg’ by the students of the RTU espe-cially for the Rose.

55spokeout

Rose of Tralee, Aoife Kelly, with Derek Smith

AUGHNACLIFFE CENTRE CELEBRATES 10 YEARSPictured at the 10th anniversary celebrations for Aughna-cliffe Centre in Longford are (l-r): Fr Seámus McKeon, PP;Kathleen Mc Loughlin, CEO; Paula Banks, FÁS; MarySmyth, Regional Director, IWA; Hugh Farrell, Regional Man-ager, IWA; Chris Moran, Chairperson, Longford Branch;and Martin Tarmey, Service Coordinator, IWA

Cathy Glennon with

Ann Montgomery

Rose of Tralee,Aoife Kelly withZonja Moore

Students from the RTU

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You’re at home withour delivery serviceMake shopping pleasurable againby doing it at home and onlineFinding the time to do the weekly shop is not always easy.

Well, we’re here to help. You can make your shoppingexperience easy, quick and efficient again by doing it online at www.tesco.ie

As well as the obvious advantages of being able to pick and choose products from the comfort of your home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, there are lots of otherreasons to shop online.

You get the same great offers and deals as you’d find instore with all special offers grouped together on adedicated page.

Our personal shoppers are trained to select the freshestproduce for you, and you can choose when you want your shopping delivered – any day of the week within a two-hour time slot, and up to 9pm on week nights.

You can even place your order up to three weeks in advance.Plus, if you register using your Clubcard, all the items youusually buy will be listed under ‘My Favourites’, so you cango straight to them time and again. You will, of course, beable to collect Clubcard Points as you would in store. So goon, make shopping simple again at www.tesco.ie www.tesco.ie

FOR SALETOYOTA AURIS LUNA 2007

Adapted with Hand Controls

Indicator switch also on Hand control

Automatic, electric windows, electric mirrors, environment control, Parking Sensors

NINE AIR BAGS

Black – 33,000 miles

SERVICE RECORD

One year remaining on manufacturers warranty

€19,700.00Tel 01 - 6273443

Liffey Lawns, Clane, Co. Kildare

TML Mobility Solutions LtdLiffey Lawns, Clane, Co. Kildare

Ph/Fax: 045868458 • Mob:0862556121email: [email protected]

www.tmlms.ie

Joystick Lever: Simply operate the JoystickLever, and the wheelchair is at your command.Yamaha Motorcycle Technology is fully reflectedin this system.

Controller for Assistant: Assistant controller is Yamaha original with the speedadjustment dial knob.

• Lightweight • Compact • Long Range •

Flat Motor: A highly efficient flat type motor has newly been developed. This flat motor is compatible with a wide rangeof wheelchairs.

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ROSCREA COFFEE MORNINGRoscrea Resource and Outreach Centre held a coffeemorning to launch Angel Day last November. On the daymembers displayed the artwork which they had createdwith the assistance of tutor Anita Stone and funded inconjunction with North Tipperary Arts council.

ACHIEVEMENTS

CLANE FETAC GRADUATESThirty-two service users, members and staff from Clane Resource and Outreach Centre re-cently graduated in a range of FETAC accredited courses including Pottery, Horticulture andGraphic Communications. The graduation took place in Millicent Golf Club, Co Kildare, and

graduates and guests were welcomed by a string quartet from Clongowes College.

Back row (l-r): Pat Byrne and John DonoghueMiddle row (l-r): Israelito Casimpoy, Rose McCoy, Claire Lehane,Janet Healy and Anthony GeoghanFront row (l-r): Catherine O’Neill, John Broderick and Ann McManus

NEW MOUNT STREET CLUB TRIP TO ROMEThrough HSE Lottery funding, a group of six membersand four staff from the New Mount Street Club travelledto Rome last year for an action-packed holiday. Day tripswere organised to the Vatican, the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum but the highlight of the trip was seeing the Pope in St Peter’s Square and receiving his blessing.It was a truly memorable time for everyone.

New Mount Street Club members John Donoghue, Catherine O’Neill,

Claire Lehane, Anthony Geoghan, John Broderick and Ann McManus

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Many staff and members have already taken outpolicies to insure their cars and homes underthe schemes. As well as securing the broadcover offered by the schemes, staff and mem-

bers have achieved premium savings, running into manyhundreds of euro in some cases.

The Glennon/Allianz prize of a year’s free car insurancehas been won by Karen Thomas from Finglas who hasbeen a member of IWA for the past ten years and hasfound their assistance invaluable. Karen recently recom-menced driving following an illness and read about the IWAinsurance schemes arranged by Glennon in Spokeout.Karen is dependent on her car to get out and about andrecently renewed her insurance with another insurer whowas charging her a premium of over €1,600. When Karendiscovered that she could arrange her car insurance underthe IWA scheme with Glennon for less than €600 she im-mediately cancelled her existing policy and arranged her insurance with Glennons. So having already saved €1,000on her car insurance, she was delighted to hear that shehad then won our draw for a year’s free car insurance, saving her a further €600 which she intends to put to good use.

The good news for our staff and members is that Glen-non and Allianz are again offering the chance to win ayear’s free car insurance for staff or members whose car orhome insurance policies fall due for renewal during July,August or September or are arranging new car and homeinsurance policies during these months. So, in order toqualify for a draw for a year’s free car insurance, all youhave to do is contact Glennon for a free quotation.

Glennon has also continued to try to enhance thescheme benefits and is pleased to announce the followingfree extra covers which have been negotiated since thelaunch of the scheme:

FREE COVER FOR MOBILITY AIDS IN THE HOMEThe IWA home insurance scheme will now automatically include free-of-charge the following extras:� An item covering Fire, Theft and Accidental Damage to

mobility aids used within the home up to a value of €3,000� An item covering wheelchairs, either manual or battery

operated outside, the home up to a value of €2,000.

FREE COVER FOR THE COSTS OF ADAPTINGVEHICLES FOR USE BY DISABLED DRIVERSThe IWA car insurance scheme will automatically cover free-of-charge the costs of repairing any insured Loss or Dam-age for the adaption of any vehicle for use by any staff ormember to cater for their disability up to a limit of €5,000.

Remember you qualify for the IWA car and home insur-ance schemes where you are:� A Member of the Irish Wheelchair Association and your

Spouse or Partner and Carer� An Employee of the Irish Wheelchair Association and

your Spouse or Partner.If you want to save money on your car and home

insurance, sometimes up to hundreds of euro, securebroad cover including these new free extras, and be in with a chance to win a year’s free car insurance, all youhave to do is contact Glennon for a quotation by:� Calling Glennon on 1890 812221 � Emailing [email protected]� Completing the on line enquiry form at iwa.glennons.ie� Faxing Glennon at 01 7075990� Writing to Glennon at Charlemont House, Charlemont

Place, Dublin 2Glennon will offer you a quotation on the spot or, if your

policy is not immediately due for renewal, will contact youcloser to your renewal date with your quotations.

IWA CAR & HOME insurance schemesThe IWA Car & Home InsuranceSchemes recently launched byGlennon have been very wellreceived by staff and members

Karen Thomas with Kathleen McLoughlin, CEO of IWA, receiving herprize from Vincent Moore of Glennon

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Across1. Prelate residing in Armaghor Dublin. (10)6. Town in Cork, once calledQueenstown. (4)10. Three legged seat. (5) 11. The addition of salt andpepper, for example. (9)12. Made of potter’s clay. (7)15. Devil. (5)17. Sound of pain from theend of another sofa. (4)18. By word of mouth. (4) 19. The young night huntertears the towel. (5) 21. Agriculture. (7) 23. Batman’s enemy is quitea card! (5) 24. Baking compartment. (4) 25. Help. (4) 26. Held on desperately. (5) 28. Least problematic. (7) 33. Disinclined. (9) 34. Unfettered. (5)

35. Whirlpool. (4) 36. One who manufacturesclothes. (10)

Down1. Recess found in a church.(4)2. Stadium built with a pokerrack. (5,4) 3. Light wood, often used inmodel-making. (5) 4. Japanese dish of raw fish.(5) 5. Headless female found inthe Middle East. (4) 7. Drug that contains mor-phine. (5) 8. Where in 2 down to find apig article with a tripod? (5,5) 9. Inconsiderate or danger-ous driver. (4-3) 13. Great civilisation of Mexico. (4) 14. Travel to and from one’s

place of work. (7) 16. Speculation. (10) 20. Tick voles off as farm animals. (9) 21. Easily broken. (7) 22. Breaking stories. (4) 27. Not married. (5) 29. Man from Aberdeen? (5)30. Muslim religion. (5) 31. Jetty. (4) 32. Prophet, visionary mystic. (4)

COMPETITION WINNERS FOR SPRING 2009Crossword: WJ Walter, Leitrim PO, Co Leitrim; M Whyte, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

CrosswordTo be in with a chance of winning one of two €50‘One4all’ gift tokens, which can be used in 4,500outlets 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, 28 August2009 and two winners drawn.

Crossword No. 4 by Gordius

small adsFOR SALEWheelchairs, scooters andadaptive equipmentMonami mobility scooter Four-wheel, excellent condition. €900ono. Tel: 086 050 1396 (Dublin)Elap swivel seat Hardly used, per-fect condition. Best offer. Tel: 045431 974 or 086 377 8118Linak Molift foldable/travel hoistNew, never used. Cost €3,000, sell€1,600. Tel: 086 367 3221Carony transport wheelchairNever used. Best offer. Tel: 086 8981396 or 094 937 1270

Elap swivel seat Free to goodhome, must be collected. Tel: 01455 8661

Cars and accessoriesFiat Doblo 2008 High roof, Ricon lift,perfect condition, 7,000 km. Bestoffer. Tel: 066 714 4814Ford Galaxy Ghia 2007 150 kghoist, excellent condition. €28,000.Tel: 087 763 2232Ford Focus Ghia 2007 Four-doorsaloon, automatic, steering ball,very low mileage, mint condition.€15,950 ono. Tel 01 841 2317 or 085112 6815

VW Transporter 1.9tdi Caravelle2000 Three seats, remote wheel-chair lift, two owners, 74,000 miles.€8,000. Tel: 087 967 2277Citroen Berlingo Multispace 2003Hand controls, built-in ramp, 4,000km, mint condition. €4,500 ono. Tel: 01 496 2894Fiat Duplo 2003 Raised roof, fullyelectronic lift, good condition.€6,000 ono. Tel: 087 643 2552Mercedes Vito 2.2d 2007 Eightseater, removable back seats, fit-ted ramp, restraints and seatbelt.€24,000 ono. Tel: 086 871 8560

If you have an item for sale, a holiday contact or a personal advert, please send approx 25 words to Small ads, Spokeout,IWA, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Small ads are free-of-charge to members. Adverts for accessible holiday accommoda-tion are €20.00 (cheques or postal orders payable to IWA Ltd).

SCRIBBLE BOX

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

HELPFUL STAFF AT HEUSTON STATION

Dear EditorI read the spring Spokeout with interest, but would like tosay that I and several other people have always found thestaff at Dublin’s Heuston Station extremely helpful, kindand efficient, so I was sorry that they got such a bad re-view in the cartoon pages.

I’m not in a wheelchair but can’t walk very far, and findgetting on and off the train difficult. My local station inKilkenny will ring Heuston Station when I’m travelling upand the buggy will be there to meet me, and on my return

Dear EditorI am a new motorist and have my car adapted due to mydisability. Something has come to my attention in recentweeks and I wanted to know if it affects others or if it’sjust me and, if not, whether anything can be done.

It takes me a considerable amount of time and effort tounload my chair from my car, and so when I am on myown and require petrol, I pull in to a service station andask another motorist to ask inside the shop for a shop at-tendant to come out and pump petrol for me.

While most service stations are very helpful and dosend someone out to pump the petrol, others are not.

Recently, while driving late in the evening, I pulled into astation to get petrol. I waited to get the attention of someother motorists going into the shop and when I finally did,they went inside and explained I was waiting for assis-tance. Twenty minutes later, I was still waiting. The atten-dant inside could see me clearly and, at that time, had noother customers. After ten further minutes of waiting, Idecided to drive to the next station where the staff werevery helpful and prompt.

On several other occasions, I have had to drive off froma petrol station as there was no one around to get the at-tention of shop attendants.

In my opinion, all petrol stations should have a call but-ton on their forecourts to provide assistance for thosethat require it.

Yours sincerely, Dani Weldon, Mullingar

The views expressed on this page are the views of individual readers and do not necessarilyrepresent the views of IWA

DIFFICULTY GETTING ATTENDANT SERVICE AT PETROL STATIONS

there is a comfortable room to sit and wait till they send medown to the train in the buggy and help me get on.

Yours sincerely, Pamela Blunder, Kilkenny

EDITOR’S NOTE:The cartoon was simply a light-hearted way of draw-ing attention to difficulties reported by a number ofwheelchair users. I think everyone would agree thatmany staff go beyond the call of duty to facilitate passengers with disabilities.

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