News
Moone Boys launch MS READaTHON
Moone Boy superstars David Rawle and Ian O’Reilly officially kicked off the 2014 MS READaTHON in style at Dublin's oldest bookshop, Hodges Figgis, today. We were thrilled to be joined by our long-term supporters, the fabulous authors and illustrators; Sarah Webb, Marisa Mackle, Mariee Louise Fitzpatrick, Oisin McGann and Anna McPartlin. Also joining us were Finn Donnelly and some lovely pupils from The Children's House, Stillorgan and St Fintan's National School, Sutton.
DFI Pre Budget Submission
DFI is urging Government to use this Budget to make the case for an inclusive society that leaves no-one behind. Budget 2015 must break the chain of previous austerity budgets, improving vital services and income supports for people with disabilities, and addressing the growing levels of hardship in which this group unjustly find themselves.
Losing My Religion!
We have all had those conversations with ourselves - 'what would my last thoughts be if I was on a sinking ship?’ As a non-believer, I've wondered if I would I hedge my bets and start to pray to a (wo)man above. The closest I've come to that sinking ship 'moment' was in the days and weeks around my unexpected diagnosis with MS. In those long days, I was overwhelmed with good wishes, cards and gifts from family and friends. I was given religious relics, mass cards and messages saying that I was in people's prayers. I appreciated each and everyone of these gestures, but I confess, it did nothing to draw me back to the teachings of my Roman Catholic upbringing. Rather, it reinforced my lack of faith. Would I say that I am a full blown atheist? Probably. This can be tricky living in Christian Ireland, when education, births, deaths, marriages and everything in between is immersed in religious ceremony. But I am happy enough to go along with these and actively participate at times. Am I a hypocrite? Probably.