This article is from page 9 of the 2007-10-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
“Rather than getting more support as a Single parent and carer I feel like
I am being punished or penalised. They [the Government] put too much red tape up without looking at the needs of the people
Deborah’s daughter, Marie, is a beautiful eight-year-old girl with a
heart-warming smile and infectious laugh. She is very close to her two- year-old brother Ben and loves hors- es. Despite the challenges facing her on a daily basis, the brave young girl favours activities such as go-karting
and cycling her bike.
The determined little girl and her equally resolute mother fight on, de- spite the uphill battle.
Marie suffers from hypotonia, sen- sory integration disorder and global
developmental delay but, despite nu- merous tests in Ireland and France, no name has been found for her con- dition. “In terms of services or sup- port, you have to fit into a slot,” said Deborah.
While acknowledging that the ther- apists within the HSE are doing their best, Deborah believes that, even with new therapists coming from Australia, there will continue to be a shortage in certain therapies on a regular basis.
Marie is now availing of the serv- ices of the Clare Crusaders, much to the delight of her mother.
“Now you realise that if all of these services were available to children so much earlier, how different their lives would have been. I am really seeing the benefit of the different therapies provided by the Crusaders.”
Deborah is the founding member of Connectabilities, a support group for parents with children with spe- cial needs and disabilities. Through the organisation, parents meet and exchange information and provide a newsletter.
The next meeting of Connectabili- ties is on November 7 at 8.30pm in the Old Lodge in Shannon.