Hi everyone! Hope school and college has got off to a good start!
If you have recently joined Crann my name is Hannah and I’m from Portmagee in Co. Kerry. I’m passionate about appreciating everything life has to offer and encouraging others to do the same. I’m also passionate about sharing my lived experience as a full-time wheelchair user to empower others to live a life with no limits and advocate for real change for all people with neuro-physical disabilities!
Hey this blocks my way! Shining a light on the everyday obstacles faced by people with disabilities, Make Way Day is a campaign in collaboration with the Disability Federation of Ireland that happens every September.
The aim of the campaign is to make the wider public aware of the various obstacles that people with disabilities face on a daily basis while out and about. Really it’s trying to make the public aware of what it’s like to live in the shoes of a person with a disability!
Last year I wrote a blog about Make Way Day, about how simple things people do can have long-term consequences for a person with a disability – Such As a person with a disability not having access to a flat kerb and having to use a high kerb, which can sometimes cause a powered wheelchair to stop working – meaning independence is denied. I would encourage you to read my blog from last year – together we can create more inclusive community for people with disabilities
As budget 2026 Is on the 7th of October, I would like to reflect on my hopes for budget 2026 as a wheelchair user.
Family Carers Ireland recently reported that 72% of carers across the country have never received respite. Unfortunately, Iin Kerry there is no respite house suitable for people with physical disabilities. I really hope respite is prioritised in budget 2026, as people with physical disabilities deserve to have independence away from family and time to just be themselves. I went to Lourdes in Easter 2024 with the Rise and Shine Trust, before that I had never had an independent trip away from home without family, and all of a sudden to have 6 nights away from home without family meant so much. It’s improved my confidence immensely and was truly a feeling like no other
It is very important that people working in the healthcare industry are given adequate support – This is the only way recruitment issues are going to be solved, which in turn will give all people with physical disabilities the independence they deserve and the right to have a life of their choosing – because choice is a human right.
I want to thank each and every person who continues to read my blog – it means the world to me and I will always promote the tremendous work that is being done for people with physical disabilities and advocate for change to help improve lives – lets face it, we deserve the best lives possible!