Cork cycling initiative gives daughter with disability 'something to look forward to', says mother

The Cycling for All group works with cyclists living with everything from cerebral palsy to mobility issues, Motor Neurone Disease and MS, among other issues

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024 - 20:30

Sarah Horgan

A blind and deaf cyclist who cares for her daughter with Down Syndrome opened up about how a tandem bike initiative has changed both their lives during a milestone event for the organisation.

Ita Carroll and her daughter Shellie, who live in Ballinacurra, were among those attending the opening of Cycling for All’s new storage facility in Blackrock which allows its members to access modified bicycles for leisure purposes. It comes years after Glanmire man Mark O’Donoghue started the initiative to give people with disabilities the chance to enjoy outdoor exercise again.

The idea has since flourished into the Cycling For All initiative, which comprises a group of tandem bike pilots and passengers who meet for regular trips in Blackrock and other parts of the city. Cork’s Lord Mayor Councillor Kieran McCarthy was on hand to officially unveil the new facility.

Ita spoke about how the group has broadened her horizons. It comes decades after she lost her hearing during an attack in London and was later robbed of her sight by an unrelated condition known as Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Despite the seemingly endless adversity, she has still managed to thrive in her role as a carer for her daughter Shellie. The mother-of-four said she was extremely proud to see her cycle a bike for the first time last week. They had previously believed the feat was impossible due to issues affecting Shellie's balance.

Shellie and Ita Carroll, at the unveiling of the new bicycle storage unit of Cycling For All. Picture: David Keane

“Shellie was the only child I never bought a bike for,” she told the Irish Examiner. “I had started with Cycling for All in August and I just asked Shellie if she would like to come along and meet my friends. I never thought I would get to see her up on a bike. That was an amazing moment. I’m dead proud of Shellie because she has got so independent.”

The pair have always been close but are happy to now share a love of cycling.

“I’m her carer but really she is mine because we love each other so much. I don’t think anybody in the family would ever manage without her because she brings us so much joy. I’m really glad she has something to look forward to.”

Ita said she never imagined she would be cycling herself after acquiring two disabilities in her 20s.

“I had been working in Cumbria as a designer but was in London when the attack happened. This was at a time when I didn’t even have a mobile phone to call someone for help. The sensory nerve damage resulted in hearing loss. I later had cochlear implants fitted in 2010.

I don’t really talk about the attack because it hurts too much but I will say that I am lucky to be alive.

She admits that adapting to a new way of life was difficult at first.

“The hearing loss was harder to deal with. I couldn’t go home and play traditional music with my dad anymore. That was probably the worst part.”

She recalled the double blow. “I was suffering from headaches and had just bought my first sewing machine when I was diagnosed with retina pigmentosa. We had no idea that it ran in the family.”

Ita praised the Cycling for All initiative for promoting co-operation and teamwork.

“My dad used to always say that it’s good to be independent, but not too independent. It’s nice to be able to work together.”

The storage facility contains adapted bicycles including handcycles and tandem bikes and is located across from the Natural Foods Bakery in Blackrock.

The group works with cyclists living with everything from cerebral palsy to mobility issues, Motor Neurone Disease and MS, among other issues.

Facility to support cyclists with disabilities gets backing from Cork City Council