It’s 7 years since we Repealed the 8th, but for me, the big day of celebration is the 26th. It was my first time doing tally at a count centre and the absolute overwhelm when the ballots started tumbling out of the boxes – we could see all the hundreds and thousands of “yes” votes….
When our son was born with Down Syndrome, the path of our lives changed forever. All our plans and expectations were suddenly put on hold and our lives became a rollercoaster of doctors and hospital appointments and therapy sessions. While we reeled from the shock of being thrown into this new world, we had…
This time last year, my son finally got a place in special school and the difference it has made to all our lives has been incredible. To see him thrive in a place where he is valued rather than tolerated has hammered home to us the importance of true inclusion rather than the tokenistic version that…
As a trad fiddler, I always had a gig or two on St Patrick’s Day. Some of them have been humdrum, but a couple stand out as WTF. In Dublin one year, I played an afternoon gig in the Parnell Mooney. Mid-tune, a brawl burst through the door. One of the brawlers pickup up a bar…
I have finally found something to say no to! Since starting my course in Ballyfermot, I have actively tried to take part in everything I can. I am that mature student who puts their hand up for everything. I am making the most of every minute and doing as much as I can in the…
We had a significant birthday in our house this week. Our son with Down Syndrome turned 12. And what a 12 years it has been. I cried in the lift heading up to the labour ward – I knew something big was about to happen. A couple heading out with their newborn, thinking I was…
I met with my oldest friends for a few pints of porter last weekend. It’s our thirtieth year together and we never fail to be amazed that we’ve made it this far. Our opening gambit was the topic of Dry January, the consensus being we might not have many Januarys left so why would we waste…
It’s been a lot. Christmas, a birthday, everyone has had coughs and colds and sore throats. We’ve all been home for too long. We’ve done our best to get out in the fresh air every day, but the weather has been shite and it has been a chore. I breathed a huge sigh of relief…
One of the many challenges of returning to college as a full-time mature student has been keeping the family fed. Quick, tasty, healthy meals that I can throw together at the end of a long day. Not much to ask. Ideally, I’d be batch cooking at the weekend, but I have yet to get that…
A lifetime ago in a faraway land, I had these lovely neighbours from Brazil. She was an incredibly beautiful ballerina, and he was a sound engineer with a face made for radio. Using a mishmash of English, Portuguese and French, we became great friends, bonding over our love of music. There’s an album by…