Daniel and dad Keith set for marathons challenge
By Aideen O'Flaherty
TEN-YEAR-OLD Daniel Tighe, who was born with a rare genetic disorder called Sotos Syndrome which is characterised by rapid physical development and delayed motor and cognitive development, has been given a new running chair from Lord's Taverners.
The Lord’s Taverners, which is an Irish charity for young people who are disabled or have special needs, handed the running chair over to Daniel’s parents Sinead, who is the current Tallaght Person of the Year, and Keith at a run in Tymon Park on Saturday, March 24.
Daniel Tighe with parents Keith and Sinead in Tymon Park on Saturday, March 24
Last year, Daniel’s mother Sinead ran the Dublin City Marathon with Daniel in a specially adapted chair, which was a first in the marathon’s history, and this year Daniel’s father Keith hopes to undertake the same challenge with Daniel powering past the finish line in his new running chair.
Keith, who lives in Kiltipper in Tallaght, told The Echo: “This year I will be pushing Daniel in the Dublin Race series including the Dublin City Marathon in October and the Clonakilty marathon in December.
“We will also be running numerous memorial races throughout the year for young children like Daniel who lost their lives too young.
“I would like to thank The Lord’s Taverners, our local Tymon Park Run and all at the various Athletic Ireland-sponsored races for allowing us to run in their events and enabling us to highlight inclusion for children and people with disabilities, so that they too can enjoy the experience that most people get from running.”
