12th July, 2001
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
SADLY LACKING
At 11 months old our first child was diagnosed
with cerebral palsy a very severe degree. The paediatrician
explained that the condition was irreversible brain damage
necessitating the use of a wheelchair, and in all probability she
would require total care for life.
Our daughter at 38 years old lives at home, attends an adult
centre for four and half days weekly - when she is well enough to
do so - is physically unable to do anything for herself even the
simplest task, and is totally incontinent. Though assessed as
having a moderate learning disability, she is exceptionally sharp
mentally, and can articulate her needs very well. This facility
is perceived by others to be a great asset and blessing for her,
with us her parents, but it has in fact proved to be the reverse.
Having both Father & Mother in their sixties is a source of
ongoing worry & anxiety to her, in the event of "anything
happening to us".
Down through the years successive governments have almost ignored
the plight of the handicapped - under funding services and the
charities and organisation who provide the very necessary
clinics, schools, adult centres and long-term residential units.
And, there are too few respite places for the numbers seeking
them. Community based services are inadequate, and understaffed.
Certainly, there have been improvements in the past thirty years,
but, very much more needs to be done. The lack of responsibility
of the State and local health bodies to the handicapped is very
frustrating to carers. These bodies are responsible for the care
of the underprivileged & handicapped, and carers should be
only an arm Of the State.
Caring in the home has proved to be a huge commitment - a mammoth
task, due to the complex nature of our daughter's disability,
care needs are spread throughout the 24 hours.
The financial help we receive is appreciated, but is totally
inadequate considering her total incapacitation and dependence.
We note with apprehension the big increase in the numbers of
handicapped persons over the years, and what appears to be meagre
efforts by successive Governments to meet the needs of our less
well off. Voluntary groups are doing their utmost, but a far more
drastic effort by government is called for. If a society is
judged by it's care of the aged and infirm we as a nation are
sadly lacking. As a body the handicapped has no clout, but,
maybe, somewhere - someone - will have the egalitarian interest
and will to further their cause.
Mr Michael Martin, Minister for Health & Children, who as an
excellent Minister for Education was lauded for providing school
for the handicapped with very many extra teachers & services,
will again, I hope in the next budget show the same generosity of
spirit, in funding services etc., for the benefit of the
handicapped, elderly, infirm and their carers.
And in particular, I would ask the Minister to remove the means
test for the Carer's Allowance. Only 5,000 Carer's out of a total
0f approximately 120,000 Carer's receive a Carer's Allowance of
some sort.
The Carers Association in Cork, is situated at Penrose Wharf,
Manager, Peter Cox, tel. 021 4503581. The Centre provides a range
of services and support to family Carers and people working with
Carers in Cork and County. The Care in the Home training course
is certified by VEC, and is very popular and well attended. There
are also coffee mornings and pamper days. The Associations
immense benefit and support to Carers cannot be measured or
quantified.
(Name & Address with Editor)
GREETINGS FROM NORTH CAROLINA
Fáilte, I am from up near Cathedral Road....would love the
gossip from home.... I was home for Xmas and have lost touch with
all my old friends...seems like its a very young city now...as
for me my maiden name was Lysa Cunningham from St. Ritas Ave and
I went to Farranree ...I left for London at 17 and spent almost
twelve years there before marrying my US husband...He was a blind
date that I flew out to meet here in NC and we got married in
four days...that was almost seven years ago and even thought US
life is cool and the weather is hot..(today we sat at the beach
with a very
hot (90 degrees) ...I got toasted...sometimes I think my heart
still belongs in London . I work for an airline...Midway Airlines...I
actually spent two and a half years with American Airlines and
left because head office is in Texas and to get I would have to
move...my husband is a good old southern boy and didn't want to
move...Midway is located here in Raleigh ( I live right in the
middle of hurricane land...Raleigh/Durham...)...anyway..I would
like to keep in touch. I took my husband home three times and it
rained down each time ..he wants to go to Ireland when the sun is
shining....write soon with all the gossip.
Elizabeth Hopkins
dc_hopkins@email.msn.com
CLLR. DIERDRE FORDE WRITES ...
Dear Michael,
I refer to your comments regarding the "worst excuse for a
footpath in Douglas' in your article Seen, Read and Heard in the
current issue of Douglas Weekly.
l agree with your comment and have taken up the matter up with
the Engineers Department at Area ' and Divisional level who have
assured me that the matter is receiving their top priority. There
have been discussions regarding upgrading and narrowing this
section of footpath and creating extra parking bays (also mooted
in the Brady Martin Shipman Report) and the Engineer is to report
back to me towards the end of the week on the matter I wiIl keep
your readers informed.
I would also like to be associated with your kind comments
regarding the success of the Murphy Irish Open last week-end and
to congratulate all the members from our local Golf Clubs who
gave of their free time to act as stewards voluntarily during the
tournament.
Yours sincerely,
Deirdre Forde Cllr.
BELLEVUE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
We would appreciate if could highlight our complete
frustration with the manner in which the residents of the above
estate are being treated by the planning officials of Cork County
Council.
We the residents have objected profusely from day one in regards
to the proposed vehicle access through "Our Park".
However we are quite willing to accept emergency access. Shamrock
Lawn is a prime example of our concerns, other concerns are:
(1) The huge volume of traffic passing through our estate.
(2) Safety and wellbeing of our children.
(3) The difficulty of access of the emergency services for our
residents. In conclusion we would very much appreciate if you
would highlight this urgent matter for us. OUR CHILDRENS LIVES
ARE AT STAKE HERE!
REGARDS,
CONCERNED RESIDENTS OF BELLEVUE.
CALL FROM COLLEGE OF SURGEONS
Hi Michael,
Recently I was looking through the pages of the Douglas Weekly on
the internet and was surprised that you to got a call from the
College of Surgeons. One night a few weeks ago I was just in the
door from work when the phone rang. A lady with a nice telephone
manner asked to speak to the man of the house. I told her he was
at work and would not be home for a while, I did not tell her he
worked shift work. She then told me who she worked with and that
she was looking for males for her research, would my husband be
in the following night and if not when would he be in. My reply
to her was that he would not be interested in doing her research
and then she hung up, her telephone manner had also changed.
B. Murphy,
Douglas Weekly Reader.
THANK YOU BOHEMIAN
Dear Michael
Just a note to say thanks to the Bohemian Restaurant for a really
lovely meal on Friday night. My daughter and I had a wonderful
time and we were looked after very well. We look forward to going
back. Once again a 'BIG Thank You' to the Bohemian and also to
the Douglas Weekly for highlighting the problem.
Yours Sincerely
(Name & Address with editor)
DOUGLAS TIDY TOWNS
Dear Michael,
I would like to acknowledge the excellent work on the ‘Cottage
Garden’ at the entrance to Douglas East by Cork County
Council and especially to Jack Casey and George Delea and his
team. The Douglas Tidy Towns Committee appreciates the end
result, which greatly enhances the Village and wishes to join in
the many comments expressed by people living and working in
Douglas.
I would like to remind your readers that the July inspection is
due shortly and for this reason more people are needed on
Wednesday (7.00pm to 9.00pm) and Saturday (10.30am to 1.00pm)
meeting at the Community Centre, Church Road.
I would like to thank those who worked very hard on Saturday last
on the South Douglas Road. Also a special thanks to the O'Connor
family who provided equipment when asked.
I would welcome any comment from your readers on how Douglas
village is looking for this competition.
Hope to see new members for probably the most important weeks,
which will judge Douglas on a national scale for the first time.
Is mise le meas
Sean O’Riordan
Chairman,
Douglas Tidy Towns Committee
YELLOW VESTED BRIGADE
Dear Michael
Thank you for my regular read in the Douglas Weekly. I know you
put a lot of work into it. Fair play to you!
I am writing about one of the things that get under my skin,
that's the 'Yellow Vested Brigade' who go out every weekend and
clean up the streets in Douglas.
I wonder have they ever thought they were doing someone out of a
job. I'm sure the Corporation and the County Council are laughing
at them, or maybe they just want to be seen by the general public
as do-gooders.
I could suggest many other jobs like going into Old Folks homes
and cutting grass and hedges or maybe cleaning a window or
changing a curtain. I'm sure some old folks would love a visit.
But then the general public wouldn't see them.
Have a nice holiday Michael, you deserve it.
Thanking you sincerely
Blackrock Reader.
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