Waterford shoppers urged to support Enable Ireland campaign

A young para-athlete with 57 medals, a wheelchair user who achieved one of Ireland's highest youth awards and a deaf dancer making her mark on the arts scene are among the people being celebrated as part of Enable Ireland's annual Life With No Limits campaign. 

The initiative, which runs throughout September, aims to challenge stereotypes surrounding disability by sharing the stories of children and adults who use Enable Ireland services, while also raising funds for the charity's work. 

In Waterford, the campaign will be supported through the Enable Ireland shop on The Quay.

Among those featured this year is 12-year-old Maisie, who has emerged as one of Ireland's rising para-athletics stars. In just two years, she has won 57 medals and recently represented Ireland at the Activity Alliance Parathletics Games in Coventry, where she brought home three gold medals and recorded a personal best in the shot putt.

Also taking part is Sarah O'Sullivan, who became one of a select number of people nationwide to achieve the prestigious Gold Gaisce Award. As a wheelchair user, Sarah worked with organisers to adapt some elements of the programme while still meeting the challenge criteria.

Her adventure journey challenge, for example, was tailored to account for the battery life of her electric wheelchair, allowing her to complete an equivalent test of endurance and commitment.

The campaign also highlights the story of Erin McNamara, a deaf performer who discovered a passion for dance and has spent the past eight years performing with Limerick Dance. Earlier this year she was chosen from 100 applicants to perform at Dublin's Project Arts Centre as part of a showcase for disabled artists.

Enable Ireland says the campaign is designed to give people with disabilities a platform to share their achievements and experiences while promoting greater inclusion in communities across the country.

Dónal Kitt, Enable Ireland's National Fundraising Manager, said the stories demonstrate how people with disabilities are pursuing their ambitions and participating fully in their communities.

Founded 75 years ago, Enable Ireland now provides services to approximately 13,000 children and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, as well as autism, across the country.

The charity relies heavily on fundraising and income from its network of shops, requiring more than €2 million annually in additional funding to help meet the costs of delivering services.

People can support the campaign by shopping at the Enable Ireland store on 89 The Quay, donating quality pre-loved items, contributing online, or supporting local collections throughout September.

For more information and to read the stories of the Life With No Limits champions, visit enableireland.ie/nolimits.