Our debt of gratitude

TWO ceremonies in Cork yesterday underlined how very important volunteerism is in a functioning, optimistic, and empowering society.

Both events marked the great and generally successful efforts made to help our fellow citizens reach their potential despite considerable disadvantage.

President Michael D Higgins marked Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind’s 40th anniversary by visiting the organisation’s headquarters, while just down the road in Curraheen, the sod was turned on what will be, in time, a €7m Enable Ireland centre for children with disabilities.

This facility will replace the Lavanagh Centre, which has provided noble service to the region for over half a century.

It is hard, if not impossible, for a person in full health to imagine a life constrained by physical or intellectual disability, but these organisations, and many more like them across the country, recognise and accept the challenge of trying to help everyone lead as full a life as is possible.

We are all in their debt and should support their efforts.