Speech on the occasion of the opening of The John Bermingham Centre,
Cope Foundation. Glasheen. Cork.

Minister Michael Martin, 
Clients & Parents of Cope Foundation.
Chairman, William Sullivan,
Members of the Board of Directors
Sister and Brother Noreen & Jerry
Public Representatives & Distinguished Guests
Ladies &  Gentlemen                                                                       click

 It is with delight that I represent the City of Cork at this important milestone in the history of COPE FOUNDATION.

I wish the thank the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Tom O’Driscoll and his Deputy, Councillor Sean Martin for this opportunity to deputise… at this, so important and personal event, in my life, that of my Mother, Sisters, Uncle and Aunt and in the history of The Bermingham Family.

 My Father was so glad, despite his serious illness at the time, July 99, to muster the strength to turn the first sod to officially commence the building, of this residential and day learning-activity-social, centre for adult persons with a severe/profound intellectual disability.

He was so looking forward to this day, its official opening.

·        May I then, sincerely thank, on the approach of the first anniversary of his Death, the former Chairman Mr Frank O’Flynn, and members of the Board of Directors, former Chief Executive Officer Mr Jerry Buttimer, present CEO Mrs Maura Nash, Staff, and all those associated, with the dedication of this facility to his memory?

·        May I especially thank all the Clients, Parents, Directors, Chaplin’s & Sisters, Staff, Pool Collectors and Fundraisers of COPE Foundation, down the years, with whom he worked so enthusiastically and from whom he gained so much? - -

·        Including members of the past & present Board of Directors, and members the National Rehabilitation Board [NRB] some people lasting in my memory, images from those early years include,

·        His personal secretaries and Vera Duggan, Paddy O’Sullivan. Dean Bastible, Michael O’Driscoll, Vincent Manning, Con O’Mahony, Fred Markham, John O’Mahony, Michael Collins Powell, Ned Mc Sweeney, Finbarr Hill, Michael Conway, Jerry & Nancy Buttimer, Con & Mary Dennehy, Michael Kenny, Sean O’Sullivan, Margaret Ellard, Tony McCarthy & Michael Morley, Pat O’Hare, Betsey, T. Cotter, and Martin Bracken and so many other people to numerous to mention, of vision and commitment and who contributed so much to what COPE is to-day.

My Father knew life was short, that he had so much to do, and so little time to do it. I know, He would want me, on his behalf, to apologise to all those on whose toes he may have stood on from time to time during a turbulent exciting and accomplishing life career.

 He was a genuine equalitarian, there were no barriers with JB, social or otherwise; He argued with one and all, whilst giving his undivided loyalty and assistance to one and all.

He was harder on himself, and at times challenged and drove himself with incredible energy beyond endurance?  Observing that energy alone, made me tired? From a very early age, He had me hauling packs of ‘pool results’ up and down those very steep stairs in D & A O’ Leary’s, pool collecting, church gate collections, helping with wheelchair holidays and so on - HIS LIFE WAS COPE, POLITICS AN ASIDE.

We, his family are so honoured the centre is associated with him.

He will, into the future and forever, be with and be associated with the care, well-being, and lifelong learning of the most cherished of our fellow man – so dear and so close to his heart. –

Those with profound and severe physical and intellectual disability.

This then, is not just a beautiful magnificent building

·        With wood, glass and lighting features.

·        With its large open plan foyer.

·        With café and seating, adjoining a waterfall feature surrounded by tropical plants.

·        With the windows facing onto the internal garden, external garden or water feature.

 Thanks and congratulations to all involved, from the imaginative creative people who dreamt such a concept, to the architect’s, engineers, builders and contractors, whose skills and creativity, we see and sense before us to day.

It is a building representing the nature, purpose and goal of COPE FOUNDATION – Creating a visual, sensory and learning experience for all participants.

·        With two very large activity rooms on either side of the building

·        With functional learning sites such as therapy rooms, bathrooms, cloakrooms, multi-sensory room and computer room.

·        With equipment and facilities made accessible independently and with assistance by hoists and hydraulic fittings.

 Thus it is a client centred building, encompassing a life long Learning & Training environment of best practice and will grow over the years in increased quality provision.

COPE will share this experience and its developing “best practice” for the benefit of all throughout the world.

 Lifelong learning is an exciting development in our understanding of the role of education & Training in society today.

Learning has been redefined “as a continuous and lifelong process which occurs independently of time and place”.

 In this context Disability has moved from maintenance to empowerment, from therapy to Education, from a medical/health model, to a social model, aiming at the ideal…independent inclusion into mainstream society.

Thus marking a critical change from a dependency mode to an independence & civil rights issue.

 This Lifelong Learning concept is the essence of the recent Government White Paper on ---Adult Education, in an Era of lifelong Learning, which of course the Minister for Education at that time, Deputy Michael Martin and the Minister for State, Deputy Willie O’Dea brought to fruition from its Green Paper, enriched by so many groups inputting their ideas in such a creative fashion.

 The new Local Adult Learning Board will be the key body charged with the implementation of Lifelong Learning in this locality.

DISABILITY will be represented on it, ensuring opportunities for learning, skill acquisition and personal progression over a lifespan for all people, ages and abilities in a multitude of settings.

 I am glad to say that Lifelong Learning and adult Education is such an important factor amongst clients and former clients of COPE with a new awareness and provision.

 The State, the equality authority, Educational, Health & Local Authorities, NGO’s such as COPE, are to day, about the task of ensuring equality for all people in society in a new spirit and era of equality.

 Even Taxpayers are likewise committed to this concept and of course are prepared to pay for its provision.

 The City of Cork is proud of COPE FOUNDATION, giving to Dean Bastible and John Bermingham its highest award the “Freeman of Cork” in recognition of the work of the Foundation, with its Client Services, Residential units and centres, Occupational Centres, Community Hostels, Social Centres, Respite Care, Early Intervention Service, Pre-School, School of Nursing, Occupational, Physiotherapy, Psychological, Speech & Language Services, Transport and Catering – 

All provide this region with a service to its citizens of world class standard.

 On Behalf of The City of Cork I would like to

·        Thank all in COPE FOUNDATION, including those who are deceased, retired, and those who presently participate, work and guide it.

·        Congratulate you on your very many achievements to date.

·        Wish you well into the future.                           

Thanks

Brian Bermingham

http://homepage.eircom.net/~bbermingham/