REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO THE BARRETT CHESHIRE HOME
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF HER VISIT TO THE BARRETT CHESHIRE HOME HERBERT STREET
Tá lúcháir mhór orm bheith i bhur measc inniu agus ba mhaith liom mo bhúiochas a chur in iúl daoibh as an chuireadh agus as fáilte a bhí caoin, cneasta agus croiúil.
Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I would like to thank all of you and especially your Chairperson, Mary Swords for your very warm welcome.
I am delighted to be here with you this evening and I am sorry that I was unable to get to see you earlier in the year. I say this because I am aware that one of your long time residents and dear friend, Bernard Cullen, passed away on the 20th September last. My visit here is all the more poignant because it was Bernard who wrote to me last year and asked if I would come and visit you. I am deeply saddened not to have had the opportunity to meet him. I know he is greatly missed by all his friends here in the home. I have no doubt however that Bernard is with us in spirit here this evening and wishes us all well.
One of the distinguishing features of the Cheshire Homes is that all residents participate in the decisions that affect their vital interests. I know that Bernard was deeply involved with the Barrett Cheshire Home and witnessed many great changes during his time here, both in the wider society and within the Home itself.
These changes have impacted on every sphere of our lives – social, political, cultural and economic. But one of the greatest and most welcome changes has been the growing awareness within society of the needs and requirements of people with disabilities. In particular, we have begun to recognise that people with disabilities have rights, - the right to speak with their own voice and to have a say in the type of care they receive - care that is tailored to their needs and those of their families.
While I appreciate that there is always much work to be done, nonetheless I think we can look forward to the new Millennium with a much greater degree of optimism and with an even greater degree of inclusion of people with disabilities into the normal life of the community.
Given that this change in attitude has been a relatively recent phenomenon, it is all the more remarkable that the ethos of respect and understanding for people with disabilities has been at the core of the Cheshire Foundation from the very start. We have come a long way since Group Captain Leonard Cheshire established the foundation 50 years ago. His initiative grew from the care and concern he provided to an acquaintance dying of cancer in 1949, and led ultimately to the establishment of the international organisation which we know as the Leonard Cheshire Foundation. He led the way in what was then a lonely journey. But today, the integrity of his vision has been vindicated in the 260 Cheshire Homes that now exist in 51 countries around the world, including 14 here in Ireland.
The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, of which I am proud to be Patron, came into being with the establishment in 1960 of the Ardeen Cheshire Home, which I was delighted to visit earlier this year. The Barrett Cheshire Home has been in operation since 1968 and has an equally proud record of providing residential and respite care, training, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, activities and outings.
Group Captain Cheshire’s vision was to enable people with disabilities to participate in shaping their own personal future and allowing them to live as independently as possible. In this sense, he foresaw the need for, and no doubt greatly influenced, the development of policies which affect the lives of people with disabilities throughout the world. It is a truly wonderful legacy which has enriched the lives of so many, including everyone here today.
I cannot let this opportunity pass without paying a special tribute to all of the people who work either in a professional or voluntary capacity with the Cheshire Foundation and, in particular, with the Barrett Cheshire Home in providing caring services to their fellow citizens.
The tremendous work done by people in a voluntary capacity particularly in the health and social services sectors of our society is a feature of Irish life for which we can be justifiably proud. The Barrett Cheshire Home and the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland is a prime example of this care and dedication. I am glad of this opportunity to express, on behalf of the people of our community, their appreciation to all those involved.
I would also like to warmly commend the carers of those