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Inspiring couple to share ‘can do’ attitude

Friday, 04 April 2008

AN INSPIRATIONAL Blanchardstown couple who recently set up a playgroup for children with disabilities have been stunned by the overwhelming demand for the service.
Each week dozens of families travel from all over the city to Corduff in Dublin 15 so that their kids can enjoy the specially designed play area, the brainchild of Keith Conroy and his partner Amanda Riordan.
The pair set up the Can Do Club just a few months ago when they realised that few playgrounds had anything to offer children like their son Leo who suffers from cerebral palsy.
“The Millennium Park in Blanchardstown only has one swing which is safe for our son to use and Amanda had to fight for that swing to put in,” Keith told Northside People.
“Children like Leo deserve the same recreational facilities as able-bodied children.”

He added: “My partner researched the different types of equipment available for children with disabilities which we bought thanks to a generous donation from local charity, P15.”
The couple, with the help of parents in a similar situation, set up the affordable playgroup which runs from the Corduff Sports Centre from 6.30pm to 8pm every Friday.
“We only rent out the premises at the moment but our long-term goal is to have a permanent premises as we spend at least a half an hour at the start and the end of each session assembling and disassembling the equipment,” the full-time fireman explained.
“Also, we might have to introduce a charge of E3 per family to cover some of the costs. We’ve managed well so far thanks to the P15 charity and also my younger brother and my aunt who gave us some money to cover the rent for the sports centre.”
Keith says families travel from Tallaght, Clondalkin, Ballyfermot and Naas each Friday so that their kids can interact with other children with special needs.
“All the parents and children get involved in reading stories, games and things like puppet shows,” the dedicated father-of-two said.
“There are around 20 or 30 children in the group altogether as we also allow the siblings of those who have the special needs to get involved so no one is left out. It’s also great for us as parents to meet with others in a similar situation as ourselves.”
Keith explained how the popularity of the club has taken both he and his partner by surprise.
“The demand is beyond all expectations,” he said.
“It has really snowballed and now we have to think of starting up a website and perhaps having a bank account so that people can make donations.”
He concluded: “But really this is not something that parents should have to fight for. These affordable special needs playgroups should be readily provided so that parents don’t have to travel so far after a hard week’s work and their kids can play in a safe environment.”
For further information on the Can Do Club email cando This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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