This article is from page 15 of the 2011-10-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
FOR John Kearney, the chance to reenter the workforce after two frustrating years was one he seized with both hands.
When the Kilmaley man was 17, he had an accident, which left him with a serious back injury. For some years following the accident, John was out of work. Then, he found part-time work as a school caretaker under a Community Employment Scheme.
However, in 2004, John was lifting heavy pipes at work and suffered a relapse. His back was now worse than it had been when he had the accident initially and he had to undergo medical treatment for a period. But gradually he improved and from September 2005 he was ready to go back to work.
Besides the financial incentive of work, John found he missed the routine of a job and really missed making a contribution in terms of his work. However, any of the vacancies he encountered were full time or in- volved either sitting or standing for long periods, both of which would prove detrimental to his physical health. He grew more and more frustrated as he wondered what he could do. He wanted to work and wasn’t content to rely on a disability payment on an ongoing basis.
Enter Gaelscoil Mhichil Ciosóg and Clare Supported Employment Service (CSSE).
In December 2005, the school’s parents’ council voted to employ a part-time maintenance person. CSSE heard about the position and contacted then school Principal, Mairín Ui’ Dhuinneacha to find out more. After careful consideration of the school’s requirements, CSSE employment facilitator Deirdre Ball found that she had the perfect candidate.
Initially, John began working just six hours per week. Given his physical disability, John needs to take an individual approach to work. Tasks may need to be adjusted slightly or physically demanding tasks alternated with lighter tasks. John com- menced work at Gaelscoil Mhicil Ciosóg in early 2006 and quickly became a valuable member of staff.
John is now a full-time staff member at the school and is no longer in receipt of a disability payment.
After five years, John says he is delighted to be working at the school. He explains, “I still get regular physiotherapy but I can do more work. It’s great. The work will always be done. I get on very well with them. It’s brilliant to be working with all of them. Donál (O hAinifin, current principal) is a great man. He’s very understanding. There’s no better man.”
For his part, Donál describes John as a person “with loads of ability”.
John is a firm advocate for CSSE. He says, “I was eager to get back into the workplace with any type of job. It was great to be directed to Clare Supported Employment. They are brilliant for me and for everyone.”