Sarah’s debt to special people

THE role of the special needs assistant (SNA) in the education and integration of our citizens with special needs is immeasurable.

For those of us unable to partake in everyday education and activities without the assistance of others, the SNA is key. Our 15-year-old daughter, Sarah, whose challenge is to live with cerebral palsy, craved for the right of passage enjoyed by her peers all over the country — a trip to Irish college for the summer. To escape the constraints of family life for a whole three weeks and to be thrown together with a group of her own age struggling to grasp the mother tongue was all she wanted.

We, however, could not see how she could — or indeed how we could — make it happen for her. Our initial enquiries, thankfully, lead us to Coláiste na Rinne in Co Phort Láirge.

Liam Suipéil and all the staff there were open from the very start to the possibility of Sarah attending Irish college, but they had not experienced a student with Sarah’s physical needs previously.

Her needs were assessed and alterations made to the environment to facilitate them. With the invaluable experience and guidance of Julie Browne, occupational therapist with Enable Ireland, Cork, all necessary preparations were made. Nothing was too much bother for Liam Suipéil and his staff. Every possible effort was made to include Sarah in all the activities enjoyed by the other students who attended.

Notwithstanding their great efforts and open welcome, Sarah could not have attended and enjoyed the experience without SNAs Miriam and Catriona who looked after her needs so well. They were the vital ingredient in the whole adventure. Without their kindness, constant care and generosity of spirit Sarah could not have experienced the wonderful three weeks that is a special memory in the memory banks of the majority of us in this country.

Thanks to these two marvellous girls, Sarah now has this special memory to treasure too. A huge go raibh mile math agaibh to you both and a plea to the Government to retain the invaluable services of as many of these treasured people as possible so that Sarah and others like her can continue to enjoy the education and life experiences enjoyed by all. And, yes, Sarah’s Irish is greatly improved too.

Kieran and Finola Harrington

Passage West

Co Cork