Spokeout
March 2026

Hello March! The brighter evenings have finally arrived and there’s a real feeling of spring in the air.

As always, it’s a busy time across IWA, especially across our community centres and IWA-Sport clubs, as many members are working hard towards national qualifications and competing in our busy schedule of sports events, both at home and internationally. You can read more about their achievements in this edition.

We also hear from Nora Goodwin, who shares how Irish Wheelchair Association in Waterford helped her to rebuild her life after a stroke. Athlone member Sarah Malone writes about her incredible Gaisce journey, which culminated in receiving a Gold Award. We are delighted to feature Drogheda’s Anne Delaney, who worked with IWA for more than two decades before retiring last year and has now returned to support members as a volunteer.

This issue also includes an interview with 11-year-old IWA-Sport Wheelchair Basketball player Archie Cunningham, who will be taking part in the London Mini Marathon for Children next month in aid of a special charity. Retired Paralympian Cathy Dunne-Fitzpatrick looks back on her remarkable sporting journey.

Thank you to all the members who attended the recent Protest in Dublin as part of our campaign calling on the government to introduce an Emergency Disability Payment. Your support was fantastic, and we have full coverage of the event inside.

Finally, if access is an issue where you live, we want to hear from you. The Access – No Joke campaign returns on April 1st, and we welcome video clips showing the barriers you encounter so we can highlight them across our social media channels. Please send them to news@iwa.ie.

In the meantime, happy reading!

Thanks, Marie
 

Print this edition
Spotlight on:
Emergency Disability Payment Campaign
How IWA helped Nora to rebuild her life after stroke
Also inside:
Educational opportunities for members, Sarah's Gaisce journey, giving back as a volunteer plus lots more

In this issue:

  • Spotlight on: Emergency Disability Payment Campaign
    IWA members take to the streets in a protest marching on Government buildings.
  • Fundraising
    Big Prizes and a Big Impact - Join IWA's Monthly Draw.
  • Sport
    Breaking down barriers on her way to Paralympic Glory: Cathy Dunne-Fitzpatrick relives her Paralympic journey
  • Volunteers
    Retired Drogheda staff member returns as volunteer!
  • My Gaisce Journey: Bronze to Gold
    Athlone member Sarah Malone writes about her Gaisce experience
  • IWA Members working towards National Qualifications
    "Some people wouldn't have been in education for many years."
  • How IWA helped Nora rebuild her life after a stroke
    "I would never have met the people who I met because of the stroke."
  • Young IWA Wheelchair Basketballer in training for Children's Mini Marathon
    Archie Cunningham to take on the challenge for charity
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