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'I'd love to be able to do my own thing'

Thursday, 17 December 2009

A DISABLED Southside woman has spoken of her attempt to live independently despite a lack of State support and facilities in her community. On International Day for People with Disabilities (Thursday, December 3), Southside People spoke to Laura Dempsey (30) who currently lives with her parents in Tallaght and has been a service user of the Enable Ireland centre in Crumlin since 2002. Laura suffers from spina bifida, which means she is wheelchair bound. She is also visually impaired. She said she would like to lead a more independent life but is restricted because of a lack of Government funding for disabled people in her situation. Adapted She explained that because of the extent of her disability she would need the help of a professional personal assistant to live independently in an adapted living space. “I’m an adult and I’d love to be able to have my own space and be able to do my own thing and have the place exactly the way I chose to have it,” she said. “I would absolutely have to have a commitment to receive the support I require though, and with a lack of available funding for PAs (personal assistants) and for independent living in general it’s not something that’s going to happen in the near future. “I did look for a personal assistant about five or six years ago because I have special needs but I got nowhere because the funding from the Government just wasn't available.” A lack of formal education at secondary level has meant that Laura has been left with limited job prospects. She said that although education for people with disabilities has improved since she left school, she believes significant gaps in the system remain. “When I was in school I wasn't asked if I wanted to do either the Junior or the Leaving Certificate. That has limited my job opportunities and I would really love to have a job. “I tried out college for six months two or three years ago but I found it very difficult because I didn't have a full secondary education. “I’d really love to work with people with disabilities,” she added. “When I left school there was really no support or advice about what I could do or what my options were. I know things have improved but I still think there’s a gap. Families need someone to talk to who has been through it already.” In addition, she said the lack of wheelchair access in her local community in Tallaght is something that substantially affects her quality of life. “I am in a wheelchair and it is very hard for me to access shops,” she explained. “My mother and father have to come with me, lift the wheelchair up and carry it over the doorway. That is quite hard to do. It is 50/50; some places have wheelchair access ramps and some don't. “I have to pick in advance everywhere I want to go. I don't really have a choice. I have to keep going back to the same places all the time and that limits my social life as well.” Kate Raymond, a spokes­person for Enable Ireland, added: “In the current climate lots of people are talking about a return to community values and community participation. Inclusive “We felt it was important to mark this international day with some awareness of the fact that people with disabilities and their families are part of every community in this country. Our message is work on making your community an inclusive place for everyone.” The International Day for People with Disabilities is a United Nations sanctioned event that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and wellbeing. To learn more about Enable Ireland or International Day for People with Disabilities log on to www.enableireland.ie