After two years of virtual marathons, this coming June bank holiday weekend, Sunday 5th of June, sees both the VHI Mini Marathon in Dublin and the Cork City Marathon take place in person and people all over the country are gearing up to take part. Participation in marathons is often used as a way to support charities and this year Fiachra Lynn, Mark Smyth, Kevin O’Mahony and Ronan Rogers have teamed up to run 42km each in Cork City Marathon in support of Enable Ireland.
Fiachra, who works in BioMarin with Kevin, is taking on the marathon in support of Enable Ireland and gave his reason for supporting Enable Ireland, saying:
The main reason I have chosen Enable Ireland is because they provide so many support services to adults and children with disabilities, and their families. My nephew Patrick was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and mild learning difficulties due to an injury sustained at birth. Enable Ireland had become such a big part of his life as well as my sister’s. My sister always spoke very highly of the care and support Enable Ireland provided to her and Patrick over the years and I would like to take the opportunity to give a little back to this inspiring organisation. Now, Patrick has developed into such an amazing lad.
When asked about Patrick’s diagnoses, Clodagh Lynn, Fiachra’s sister described learning about the diagnosis and the relief when Patrick joined Enable Ireland’s early learning services:
As a young mum at the time, hearing Patrick’s diagnoses I thought my world was collapsing. Possible thoughts running through my mind of so much uncertainty and fear, followed by anger and frustration at the world. In 2003 we were referred to Enable Ireland Early Learning Services. There we were both met with the most amazing people who will always be in our thoughts and hearts. From the warm welcome by the receptionist to the immensely supportive physiotherapists, occupations & speech therapist to clinical psychologists, social workers, all doctors, volunteers, carers, canteen staff, other parents, and other children. Each and every one of these people have made a huge difference in our lives.
Clodagh explains the type of life Patrick lives today, after the many worries in the early years:
Today my little boy is now a young adult who is one of the kindest, fun loving and energetic characters I know. He is able to ‘Walk and Talk’, play football, swim, uses the gym and like every teenager give cheek independently. Patrick attends a special needs college and likes sports, loves music, and gets to socialise with his peers through different youth clubs. He has a busier social life than me!
You can support Fiachra through his iDonate link here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11431492_running-for-enable-ireland.html
Enable Ireland provides services to children and adults with disabilities and their families since 1948. Covering childhood to adulthood their expert teams work with the individual and their family on a plan for each life stage. Enable Ireland provides a range of health and social services to children and adults with disabilities across Ireland. These include clinical assessment, therapy services, special schools, pre-schools, adult day services, personal assistants, family support services, respite and residential services. They also provide specialist Assistive Technology, motor management and Special Seating services. Additional supports include: parent groups, peer support groups, family support services in the community and supported employment services.
Enable Ireland’s mission is to work in partnership with children and adults with disabilities so that they can achieve maximum independence, choice and inclusion in their communities. They aim to support each individual in their goal to live a fulfilled life according to their personal needs, wishes and aspirations. In order to do this, they need to raise over €2 million each year for their work to be carried out.
To register for the Cork City Marathon 2022, visit https://www.corkcitymarathon.ie/registration-2/
If you are interested in supporting the work Enable Ireland does through the Cork City Marathon please get in touch today. If you would like an Enable Ireland marathon pack with t-shirt, trolley token, snap band and snood or need any advice on setting up a fundraising page, please contact Ellen on (087) 6868 333 or email [email protected].
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