Media Library

Speeches

Remarks at the Launch of the Irish Wheelchair Association’s Magazine for Young People

Remarks by President McAleese at the Launch of the Irish Wheelchair Association’s Magazine for Young People - “On Track”

I am delighted to be here this evening to launch the magazine “On Track”, aimed at young people with a disability. I would like to thank everyone involved with the Irish Wheelchair Association for their warm welcome, and particularly the Chief, Seamus Thompson, for his kind invitation.

The launch of this magazine is a great tribute to both the Irish Wheelchair Association, of which I am proud to be Patron, and the pupils of Colaiste Bride in Clondalkin, who have worked very hard under the guidance of their teacher, Yvonne Crotty, in compiling this really excellent first production. I am sure Yvonne must feel very proud this evening of the great talent and dedication she has helped unlock in all the contributors.

Each one of you deserves great credit for the time and energy you have devoted to the production. I have no doubt that this has been a wonderful learning process in which each of you has come to understand how much you are capable of, and the satisfaction of knowing you have given birth to something that is really worthwhile. I am sure that your involvement has also led to a greater understanding of young people with disabilities, to realise how much you share, whether able-bodied or disabled, and how similar your interests, hopes and dreams are. It is particularly appropriate that Jennifer McCarthy, a fellow student at your school who has a physical disability, should feature so prominently in this first addition. Jennifer is just one example of the truth that what matters is that each of us, whatever our circumstances, has the self-belief, the encouragement, and the opportunity to make the most of our gifts.

We have many people to thank for helping to get “On Track” off the ground, both from the Irish Wheelchair Association and Colaiste Bride. In addition to Yvonne Crotty, I know that the Principal, Sr Margarita Ryan, the acting principal Mildred Branagan, Helen O’ Keeffe, your art teacher and two student teachers, Tom Cronin and Denis Treacy, gave great help and encouragement along the way. Among the students, Louise Acheson, Fiona Butler, Suzanne Byrne, Aisleigh O’Connor and Jennifer Ward, deserve special mention.

I have no doubt that the inspiration behind all of your hard work was Aideen Bolger, a pupil at your school who sadly died in January last year. I know that Aideen received wonderful support and encouragement at all times from her mother Margaret, who is with us this evening. It was this encouragement that enabled Aideen, in the all too short few years of her lifetime, to show such love for life, such commitment to her school work and such hope in the future - especially a future immersed in education, in college life. This magazine is a fitting tribute to her memory, which I know will inspire many other young people with a disability to believe in themselves, to have ambitions for the future, to root themselves deeply in the present moment, using each moment supremely well so that the stepping stones to the fulfilled future they want are well laid.

Aideen is also one of the inspirations behind the “Student of Spirit” Award which is being organised by the Irish Wheelchair Association. This award will be conferred each year on a student with a disability who shows exceptional courage, motivation and dedication, particularly in the education field. It is hoped that the first national winner will be announced in February 2000. I can think of no better way to celebrate the opportunities of the New Millennium.

Congratulations once again to everyone who has contributed to the first edition of “On Track”. I wish all of you the very best of luck with the magazine and the “Student of Spirit” Award, and every success with all your future endeavours.