Inspiring ability of humans to raise game
They have become leading players in establishing beyond a doubt that those who are differently abled also excel at world-class sport. For the Irish team, 16 medals, half of which were gold, records broken, personal bests and national records rewritten speak for themselves.
And although I realise that disabled is the commonly used term, in light of these recent achievements perhaps that term simply doesn’t work any more. The dictionary describes disabled as “to make ineffective, unfit or incapable” none of which surely, can apply to the men and women from around the world who competed in the mighty 2012 Paralympics.
Veteran paralympain Anne Ebbs said: “I hope that now, given the profile of the games, that people will see people with disability — particularly in sport — in a new light.”
In the after-glow of the 2012 Paralympics, some limiting preconceptions will hopefully change and the focus shift to what people can actually do instead of what they cannot.
But, with so many people unemployed, will this feel-good factor improve the prospects of those with different abilities to find a job?
Pat Bracken, clinical director of West Cork’s Mental Health Service, says: “In my opinion, employment and occupation are very often of crucial importance when it comes to mental health.”
The Employ Ability service — formerly known as Work Start — strive to provide a better service for employers and job seekers and as their name suggests, they focus their attentions on what an applicant is capable of achieving and not what they might not be able to do. After all, we all have our limitations.
At a time when so many people are unemployed, will attitudes toward differently abled person’s change, improve their prospects of finding a job? I spoke to Bantry based Employ Ability Job Coach Martin Mulchrone about his work.
>>“Our clients’ difficulties can be physical or psychological, a wide range of issues. And we are here to help them realise their potential. I think the Paralympic Games were extraordinary and that we are going to benefit from a new reality and attitude.
>>Well usually they would be referred to us through their GP or one of the agencies, such as Co-Action, the National Learning Network. and Rehab Care. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) and FAS, who we work very closely with, fund us. It’s very much a question of joined-up thinking for us, with all the relevant agencies working together.
>>“Employ Ability West Cork continues to source jobs for the clients on our books in these more challenging times. And, as is the case for everyone else, flexibility around the type of work, hours and where you will work, enhances peoples chance of finding a job.”
>>This is a very personalised service. So at first we get to know the client, find out what their aspirations and qualifications are. Then we set to work to find out what job might suit them best. It’s very much a question of matching up our clients with the right employers — and vice-versa of course. The relationship has to work for everybody.
>>“Very well indeed. Many of them have been fantastic. And they will often come to us when they are looking for staff. They know what we do and that we are very careful to match client and job. If you can do that then you get the right fit.”
>>We’ve 151. Of them, 55% are working. But of course, it doesn’t always work out for everyone. My heart goes out to those who are trying really hard to get work, who apply for hundreds of jobs and don’t even get a response. It can be very disheartening. But we remind people that the job market isn’t a sprint but more of a marathon.”
>>Before Employ Ability, I worked in marketing for Unilver, and Coca Cola. I was brought up in the UK but my parents are both Irish and we moved here when my father, who was a journalist, won a literary award and bought a home in Crookhaven for £200. They were the days. I worked in the UK for a good while but moved back here 12 years ago. I joined Work Start in 2002, and I’ve never looked back. It’s a fantastic service.”
