Poll: Will the hosting of the Special Olympics contribute to any lasting improvement for people with disabilities in Ireland?
* Please note that the results of the online poll represent just a snapshot of opinion from the site members who participate. The results of each poll do not necessarily represent the national picture. Participants are only allowed to vote once in each poll.
Thomas(frtmathew) Posted:
23/06/2003 12:36 |
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This great event is bound to create
an awareness among people. There will be a change in the attitude towards people with disabilities.
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Anonymous
Posted:
23/06/2003 14:15 |
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I think it will make an improvement in the sense that the negative attitudes of many Irish people will have changed. However from a services point of view - no way - the Government has continually shown it has little time (or funding) for people with disabilities.
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Anonymous
Posted:
23/06/2003 18:38 |
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maybe be for the general public, it was great to see them all on the opening night, but thats where it will stop, our Government, should take note, and give these very fine people all the help they need to make their lives more fruitful, good luck to all who are taking part in the Special Olympics.
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Anonymous
Posted:
25/06/2003 08:05 |
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A terrific effort has been made, the length and breath of the country, by ordinary people, to welcome special needs participants to the games. The opening ceremony was amazing, the atmosphere warm, friendly and welcoming. How I'd love to think that this feeling would continue and that we, as nation, could all feel positive and open towards people with special needs. However, our Government needs to lead the way, to continue the good work already started by the ordinary people of Ireland. Our special needs people and their families should feel part of Irish society, and not excluded by ignorance and indifference. Special needs families need support, emotionally and financially, in order that they can do the very best they can. Let's keep up the good work started nationwide, as a result of the Special Olympics effort. Well done to all the participants!
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Anonymous
Posted:
25/06/2003 08:28 |
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I don't think there's any chance that the Government will do a thing. The only impact it had on Bertie is that he had his face beamed all over the world at the opening ceremony in his Armani suit having the world think what a wonderful country we have to look after people with special needs so well! Hopefully it will have changed many irish attitudes though.
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susan Posted:
25/06/2003 11:43 |
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I think that for those of us that volunteered it will. It has definetly changed the way that I view people with disabilities. It has also made me more aware that all disabilities are not visible- by that I mean in particular mental disabilities. Being a volunteer here in Wexford brought it out to me because Poland are not an English speaking Country and I realised how hard it must be for people with disabilities to get understood, as I was getting frustrated at not being understood and I am seemingly "A NORMAL " PERSON.
My hope is that others will see this also and adjust our way of thinking to include and not exclude people with disabilities.
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Anonymous
Posted:
25/06/2003 12:45 |
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No unfortunately I think the public have a long way to go re: their attitude to people with disabilities. I also find it unbelievable that RTE are not showing these events on television apart from highlights given that they are saying that it's the biggest event to happen in Ireland in years !
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Thomas(stone) Posted:
25/06/2003 13:16 |
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I think yes it will have a positive impact on disabilities.
Our government should take note, and deal effectively with the needs of our special people.
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Anonymous
Posted:
25/06/2003 21:02 |
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The concept of 'Host Towns' has allowed a large number of people be involved, many for the first time. This has helped ordinary people realise what special needs people can achieve but it has also increased awareness. Many people who previously thought that only the specially trained could cope with and contribute to the lives of special needs people nnow know that they too can make a difference. Awareness will foster a new spirit encouraging many more people to assist in many unique ways towards enriching the lives of special needs people. The public needs encouragement - perhaps Mary Davis, CEO of the games could continue as an organiser with responsibility for encouraging all of us who are not 'specia' to lend our time and talents thus giving back some of the God given gifts which we have. We would also gain by being enriched by the love, spirit and humour of our 'Special Needs Citizens'
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Anonymous
Posted:
25/06/2003 21:28 |
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Initially we as a Society need to delete the word Disable.
Dis - prefix implying ‘separation’ as in dismiss. Able - having skill, strength to perform a task.
Disable - to disqualify.
Yet, even now we hear the word every single day, because athletes have ‘Learning Disability’, rather than ‘Learning Condition’.
In 1997, the Irish Government decided to bid to host the 2003 Special Olympic World Games, including in that bid a 6.35 million Euro commitment. In July 1998, they were informed they had been successful. Therefore, what we are experiencing is the finished project of FIVE years hard work, for organisers, volunteers and sponsors.
As someone who has been labelled Disabled, everyday consists of obstacles. Initially the barrier of getting out of bed, washing, dressing, preparing my own food. Ten years ago I took these simple everyday mundane chores for granted did not even think about them. After that comes the financial hurdle. We hear about the cost of living, well for a person with a ‘Health Condition’, the cost of living is five times higher than average. Long gone are the days where I could go into a ‘fashionable clothing department’ and choose items that suited me. Now I have no choice, because clothing is no longer fashionable, but practical. Without finances, you purchase items that will last, because you never know if you will be financially thrifty to replace them. You watch every cent, you cut back on expenditure, switch off unwanted lights, go to bed early in the Winter: to economise on utility bills and the list is never ending. Hair cuts, short back and sides, because you cannot afford to see a hair stylist. Socialising, forget it. I could not tell you the cost of a glass of lemonade, let alone a pint of Guinness. I cannot recall the last time I visited a Dentist to have my teeth cleaned, knowing the cost involved.
In the past ten years, I have applied for 151 jobs. They range from what I was trained for, to Sales Assistant at the local Video Store. I am the proud owner of 151 refusal letters, because of my health condition.
Everyday I see people collecting for Charity and usually the money is being sent abroad. Healthy people are more willing to throw coins into a bucket: to clear their own conscious, or volunteer to collect for these Charities, rather than realise the greater need within their own State. We are capable of assisting people in other Countries while grossly neglecting our own.
My Health Condition was not caused by an accident: I succumbed to it. However mention to anyone that you have a ‘Health Condition’ are on ‘Disability Payments’ and automatically they think of the amount of cash involved in employing you. How many ‘sick days’ what type of ‘equipment’ and then ‘insurance’.
I just want what the Special Olympic athletes have: A chance to PARTICIPATE, is that really too much to ask?
I think after the Flame of Hope is extinguished, the Government, Sponsors, Volunteers, will remember the success they achieved, but the momentum will be lost.
Life, Society, Attitudes will return too normal.
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Catherine(katcha) Posted:
26/06/2003 12:39 |
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Saturday night's tv viewing of The Special Olympics was riveting. Watching the competitions throughout the week was awesome. The athletes were an inspiration and their positive attitude "GO FOR IT!" made this viewer feel humble. All involved deserve the highest accolades for bringing this honour of hosting the games to Ireland. I am an old woman and have never in my lifetime witnessed such an outpouring of genuine joy and courage and emotion in this country. The impact of the whole week has exploded an awareness of people's ability to overcome tremendous odds and reach for the stars. And yesterday I listened to my son speak of young wheelchair-bound neighbours living alone both with a genetic muscular wastage disease. I was horrified as he explained how the abolition of grants by the health authorities affects these neighbours. What hypocracy Bertie Ahern displayed by daring to insult these courageous competitors by using their night as a photo-opportunity as he gave the 2 fingers on international television to the Irish people. Has he no shame. Yes, we, the people of Ireland excepting politicians, have a much greater understanding and awareness now of the necessity for an all-out effort by us to propagate the faith of support services for those in need. However, as an old woman, I have absolutely no faith in our politicians who made these cuts for special needs grants on the eve of this unique international Special Olympics. Cynicism reigns supreme.
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Anonymous
Posted:
27/06/2003 22:23 |
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To anonymous 25/06/03 21.28. Agree completely. Been there done that. Medical Difficulties draw more attention than my abilities. Employment, Socially, Physically Emotionally and Mentally.
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Anonymous
Posted:
02/07/2003 10:13 |
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NO I feel one major event that highlights the fact that so many people all over the world can take part in a sporting event is not going to make any impact at all. It's great for a week and thats it.
My sister was disabled for 20 years, she is now deceased, the only help my family got from the state was that we like other families were issued with butter vouchers, a bus pass for her and a medical card. For over 20 years until her death my sister spent most of her time in hospital which was paid for by my parents. We did'nt live in the right catchment area. While she was alive my parents constantly worried about what would happen to her after they passed away.
My mother herself is now succumbing to an illness which is progressive. There is no funding for home help for the area she lives in and we are told of the waiting lists for respite care and nursing care.
The whole area of health in this country is grossly mismanaged. People need integration into society, those with disabilities need somewhere to go every day that offers them interaction with other people and stimulation.
I feel angry seeing all the public money that is mismanaged in this country. With all the taxes that we pay I feel dismay that when you need something to support a person who is disabled or ill it is simply not there.
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