It was an early start for our Tipperary members and staff as the buses set out at 7.30am yesterday morning (Tuesday) with all roads leading to the Dáil Éireann on the invitation of Martin Browne TD.

The group arrived at 11.40am and were set up in the AV room for IWA member Michelle O’Shea to give her presentation: Embracing Differences: Life with a physical disability.

Embracing Differences is a wonderful collaborative project between The HSE/Tipperary Gold Star, Tipperary Volunteer Centre &  Irish Wheelchair Association.

In her compelling presentation Michelle highlighted the challenges people with physical disabilities face day to day and how it affects their lives. 

As well as members and staff from the Irish Wheelchair Association, Anne Bradshaw from the HSE,  Derek Fanning of Tipperary Volunteer Centre, Christine Chasaide (Michelle’s Support Worker on the programme), Magda Hladka( another participant on the programme) & her support worker Mary Lowry also attended.

As the funding from this programme came from the Department of Rural and Community Development Jennifer Kelly & Aoife O’Brien (Department Representatives) came to observe the presentation.

Michael Healy Rae, Mattie McGrath, Pat Buckley, Johnny Mythen, Patricia Ryan were among the TDs present who made contributions & asked questions in relation to the presentation.

IWA’s Tipperary Service Co-ordinator Josephine Carroll also took to the floor and spoke about IWA’s vision of an Ireland where people with disabilities enjoy equal rights, choices and opportunities in how they live their lives.

She added: “Together with our members, we are working towards a truly inclusive society. By collaborating with other organisations such as the HSE, Tipperary Gold Star & Tipperary Volunteer centre, wonderful things can be achieved.

“Key to the Irish Wheelchair Association’s mission is that the voice of the person with the lived experience, our members, like Michelle, is heard and included in local and national conversations and policies that will have an impact on the lives of people living with disabilities. I’m extremely proud of Michelle for showing great courage here today in presenting her disability awareness training and for inspiring others to have the confidence to advocate for themselves.”

There was also lot of comments from the audience in relation to the new Return Bottle Banks not being accessible to a wheelchair user.

After the presentation the group were treated to a beautiful meal in the Dáil restaurant by Deputy Browne.  They also visited the Dáil Bar before leaving Leinster House, all arriving safely back to the centre by 10.30pm.

Speaking afterwards Deputy Browne said: “I was delighted to help arrange for this presentation to take place, which saw first-hand accounts of the difficulties people with disabilities face in the built environment on a daily basis that can lead to exclusion and isolation for those who have additional support needs.

“Thank you to Michelle O’Shea for a powerful and insightful account of the challenges that she and so many other people face, and which she has documented as part of a campaign to address this inequality – ‘Life with a physical disability’, which she completed after undertaking the Train the Trainer Programme.

“I will play my part in getting action in addressing these clear inequalities,” he vowed

Josephine Carroll added:  “It was a wonderful opportunity to attend Dáil Éireann, not just for Michelle O’Shea, but for everyone in attendance. Every single person we met was warm & welcoming & could not have been more helpful from Ushers, Waiting Staff to Secretaries & TD’s.  We extend our sincere thanks to Martin Browne TD for the invitation.

“It is a day that everyone will remember.”