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17.09.2016
Anna Stafford, Doneraile and Sarah Smyth, Mallow, are all smiles at the Mick Flannery gig in aid of Enable Ireland, at The Crane Lane Theatre, Cork.
Picture: David Keane.

For more details see attached press release:

Mick Flannery kicks off No Limits for Cork

NEWS RELEASE 18.09.16


It’s a busy week and exciting time for Enable Ireland Cork. Minister Simon Coveney turned the sod on its €7.2m development of a new children’s centre in Curraheen on Friday morning, the same day as its annual flag day in Cork. Saturday saw Mick Flannery, singer songwriter row in his support for Enable Ireland’s annual campaign ‘No Limits’ with a concert in Crane Lane.

The spirit of No Limits is outlined with this example by Shelley, the mother of service user Daire Gorman. Shelley describes the moment her was her son was born. ‘Nobody said a word. I knew instantly there was something wrong. You expect the joy and celebration to kick in so when it didn’t, there had to be something not quite right. He had no arms, and he was missing the Femur in both legs and the tibia in one leg. We were just devastated – we thought this was the end of the world. To look at him now, nearly four years later, it’s hard to believe everything he’s been through and how far he’s come – he learned to feed himself, got prosthetic arms, learned to sit up, and now, I can barely believe he’s got his own power chair, which gives him so much freedom and independence. Daire turns four this week and what a great time to celebrate him and Enable Ireland – because he does live life with No Limits. When he was born, we worried about his disability. He thrives on his ability. He’s football and WWE mad, he goes to pre-school every day without seeing any difference between himself and his peers – he does what every other four year old should do and he does that with the support of Enable Ireland.’

No Limits is about assisting those with disabilities by enabling them to live their lives either with assistive technology and other supports.

From 19 - 25 September, you can buy a €2 or €3 wrist band, trolley disc or bracelet from any Enable Ireland shop or from volunteers and supporters around the country. You can also make a purchase in any TK Maxx store nationwide. Enable Ireland is participating in UCC’s volunteering Fair on Tuesday the 22nd of September and the week closes on Sunday the 25th with large groups of Enable Ireland supporters participating in the Mini Marathon, Cork. For more information contact corkfund@enableireland.ie or 021-4294434
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Notes to the Editor: About Enable Ireland:
Founded in 1948, Enable Ireland provides services to over 5,200 children and adults with disabilities from 40 locations in 14 counties. Our services for children and their families cover all aspects of a child's physical, educational, and social development from early infancy through adolescence.
We offer a range of services to adults with disabilities which include day care training, personal development, supported and independent living, and social and leisure activities.
Enable Ireland is part funded by the HSE and other statutory agencies but every year we require over €2 million in additional funding to meet the costs of delivering our services. Without this additional income from our shops and fundraising we would not be able to meet the needs of the children and their families relying on our services. We have a nationwide chain of 21 retail shops selling clothes, books and bric-a-brac, and raise funds through community fundraising, corporate and national fundraising.
The demand for our services continues to increase throughout Ireland. We have set ourselves the challenging goal of meeting these needs by providing a full range of high quality services, and expanding into local communities.
Enable Ireland Cork has been granted planning permission for a new state of the art Children’s Centre in Curraheen, Cork. Enable Ireland provides vital therapy and support services to over 600 children and young people with disabilities from the Lavanagh Centre in Ballintemple, on behalf of the HSE. Founded in 1954, the building is now in disrepair and is no longer fit to accommodate the needs of the children and families availing of services there.
The decision to grant planning permission now gives the green light to an exciting project. The seven acre site in Curraheen will house a new Children’s Services Centre, where therapy and support services will be provided to children with disabilities and their families. Once operational, the new centre will house a hydrotherapy pool, garden, playground, therapy rooms and sensory rooms to accommodate the needs of the current and future children with disabilities. The site will also accommodate a children’s respite house, where children with disabilities can develop their independence skills and families can get a much needed break. The location, close to the Curraheen flyover, provides easy access for families and staff. This centre will be state of the art and amongst the best in Europe.
Further information on:
www.enableireland.ie
www.facebook.com/actionondisability
www.twitter.com/enableireland