A Mallow mother of two children with complex special needs has spoken of her relief at the news that special schools are set to re-open next week after the bitter disappointment of previous false dawns .
Elaine Healy s children, Kirsty (9) and Logan (9), both have autism and intellectual difficulties in addition to other individual issues.
Speaking to The Corkman, Elaine, a full-time carer to her children, spoke movingly about the difficulties she and her husband, Brian, have faced since special-needs education all but grounded to a halt last year, and the toll that has had on the them and their two children.
Two Cork-based charitable organisations are to benefit to the tune of almost €47,000 under the first tranche of funding under the Government s Strengthening Disability Fund.
The fund, announced as part of Budget 2021, set aside €20million for one-off grants to reform disability services and bolster the capacity of disability organisations, with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life for those who rely on these services.
Under the first round of the initiative, the St Joseph s Foundation in Charleville has been allocated €38,720 for IT-related developments and upgrades.
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind has been allocated €8,170 for building works and refurbishments to its headquarters on the Model Farm Road in Cork.
Husband and sister pay emotional tributes to a wonderful Limerick woman with a heart of gold
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aine.fitzgerald@iconicnews.ie Through the love of Jesus, Laura and I realise what a special mother and wife we had in Emer, said John Williams of his late wife Emer, pictured );
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“A WONDERFUL woman with a heart of gold” is how a young mother has been remembered by the many people whose lives she touched.
Emer Williams (née Hurley) formerly of Sheelin Road, Caherdavin, passed away peacefully at her home in Kilmallock on Monday following an illness.
In a heartfelt tribute to his late wife at her funeral Mass this Thursday afternoon, John Williams said she will forever live on in his heart and in the heart of their daughter, Laura.
Obituary: ‘A deep, intelligent and modest man’ - the late Dr Martin O’Donnell
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DR Martin O’Donnell’s name is synonymous with the St Joseph’s Foundation.
As one of the founding members of the association, over a half century ago, he will always be remembered for his vision and determination to create a service providing people with disabilities the opportunity to live the life of their choice to their fullest potential.
Dr O’Donnell’s connection with people with special needs began as a young man when he was working in a hospital as part of his medical training. On a ward round one morning, they were passing the bed of a child with special needs when the consultant commented, ‘There is nothing we can do here.’ The young doctor was surprised at this and asked himself if this could be true, if there was really nothing that could be done for this child? He felt instinctively that this dismissal was wrong on many levels.