Enable Ireland Calls on Limerick Public to Celebrate Life With No Limits

Enable Ireland Calls on Limerick Public to Celebrate Life With No Limits

Enable Ireland’s fundraising campaign, ‘Life With No Limits’, returns this September, shining a light on the story of Limerick’s Mikey O’Doherty

The campaign provides a platform for children and adults with disabilities to share their life experiences.

Enable Ireland provides vital disability services to children and adults in Limerick.  Every September, they share personal stories of success through their Life With No Limits campaign. Stories which illustrate the many life experiences of people with disabilities, fostering inclusion, and challenging stigma around disability. The campaign also aims to raise much-needed funds to support the charity’s work.

One such story is Mikey O’Doherty’s. Mikey attends Enable Ireland Adult Services in Quinn’s Cross, Limerick. Coming from a family of academics, Mikey’s lifelong ambition was to gain a college degree. Not only did he achieve this, but Mikey truly excelled. Mikey attended Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, where he studied English and History. He earned a First-Class Honours for his dissertation on ‘A Social and Oral History of Billiards and Snooker in Limerick’.

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

After graduating, Mikey secured a job with Enable Ireland’s Virtual Services.

Mikey says, “I felt a huge sense of achievement when my dissertation was finally submitted. When I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and English (first class honours) on graduation day, I couldn’t stop smiling!

Now I’m kept busy by my role with Enable Ireland. The analytical and writing skills I developed through my degree have been useful in my new role.

In my spare time, I’m rereading the course literature for fun rather than studying. I miss MIC both socially and academically. So, I’m planning to apply for a Masters there soon. I can’t wait to get back into the books! Watch this space.”

As well as in-shop activities, Enable Ireland’s Limerick charity shop will be raising funds through collections at Henry Street and O’Connell Street on Tuesdays, the 9th and 16th of September.

Dónal Kitt, Enable Ireland National Fundraising Manager, comments on the campaign, “Life With No Limits is a highlight of the year for Enable Ireland. It amplifies the voices of children and adults who use our services, sharing their lived experiences with the wider community. By doing so, the campaign not only raises awareness, but also supports empowerment and champions inclusion.

“Crucially, Life With No Limits helps generate the funds that sustain our services nationwide. We encourage everyone to get involved. You can donate to our shop in Honan’s Quay, or online at www.enableireland.ie. Together, we can help to ensure children and adults with disabilities have the supports they need, today and into the future.”

Enable Ireland services for children with disabilities and their families cover all aspects of a child’s physical, educational, and social development from early infancy through adolescence. The non-profit organisation also provides family support and respite services to over 500 children with physical, sensory, intellectual disabilities and Autism in the mid-west, including Limerick. Enable Ireland provides vital disability services to children in Limerick from Blackberry Park.

For adults, they offer a range of services which include day services, training, personal development, supported and independent living, and social and leisure activities.  Enable Ireland runs services for adults from its hubs located in Castleconnell, Hartstonge Gate, Quinn’s Cross, and Rathkeale.

Every year, Enable Ireland needs over €2 million in additional funding to meet the costs of delivering their services. The additional income generated from Enable Ireland’s shops and fundraising is crucial. Without it, the charity would not be able to meet the needs of the children and their families relying on Enable Ireland services.

You can support the ‘Enable Ireland Life With No Limits’ campaign this September by making a purchase in their shop on Honan’s Quay or by donating online at www.enableireland.ie. The public can also support Enable Ireland by giving to volunteers collecting for the charity throughout the month. Or drop a bag of quality pre-loved items into their local Enable Ireland shop or clothing bank or into any TK Maxx store nationwide as part of their Give Up Clothes For Good campaign.

You can read Mikey’s full story on the enable Ireland website.