‘I don’t think the government thought about people with disabilities’
By Mary Dennehy
LOCKDOWN has highlighted the need for better investment in home care packages for people with disabilities, a woman with multiple sclerosis has told The Echo, reports Mary Dennehy.
Living in Walkinstown with her parents, who are both in their early eighties, Fiona O’Reilly was diagnosed in 2013 with multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive neurological condition.
: Louise Walsh, senior support worker with Fiona O’Reilly during an event at CRC Firhouse
Fiona, who was the driving force behind a national protest on home care packages in 2019, was 45 at the time of her MS diagnosis, and within two years was using a wheelchair full-time.
Every morning, two carers visit Fiona’s home and help her to get up and ready for the day ahead, returning that night to assist her into bed through the use of a hoist.
During the day, Fiona’s parents care for her, and during lockdown this support was required all-day, seven days a week while Fiona’s day care centre was closed for six months.
Fiona is a service user of the Firhouse Central Remedial Clinic (CRC), and before the pandemic attended the centre three days a week.
“For the first three months of lockdown I didn’t go outside the door”, Fiona told The Echo.
“I sat in my room looking out the window.
“My mam and dad are elderly so I was worried about them and worried about myself.
“I have to say the centre [CRC Firhouse] was very good.
“They rang during the week and started online Zoom classes, bingo, poetry, crafts and exercise.
“They were so, so good… and I always knew they were at the end of the phone.”
She added: “However, I don’t think the Government thought about people with disabilities.
“Times were very challenging and very hard…and there was no additional support provided through the home care package.
“I have carers that come in each morning and evening, but during lockdown I was at home seven days a week, which meant my dad who is 82 had to assist me during the day, seven days a week.
“I would usually be at the centre three days a week, which gives my parents some respite.
“However, despite my dad having to look after me full-time there was no additional support for us as a family.
“Something needs to be done in relation to home care packages.”
Last September, Firhouse CRC was deemed an essential service and opened its doors, with Fiona back attending the centre two days a week.
“Being back at the centre is great”, Fiona said.
“It gets me out of the house and also gives my mam and dad some respite.”
Although their doors are open, Firhouse CRC is operating with half of its original capacity, due to social distancing guidelines.
Louise Walsh, Senior Support Worker, told The Echo that the centre can only cater to a maximum of seven service users a day, compared to 15 or 16 in the past.
However, since the resumption of services, the centre has continued to deliver online classes and outreach for clients, who are on a reduced numbers of days.
It’s been a busy few months for the staff of Firhouse CRC, who, alongside using innovative and creative approaches to support clients at home, volunteered to be re-deployed in the early days of the pandemic.
All 11 staff members were re-deployed to the Citywest isolation facility, where they cared for those in isolation.
This frontline work resulted in staff being presented with a Hero Award and an award from the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu.
Looking back over the past year, Louise re-iterated Fiona’s call for a review of home care packages.
“We had clients at home for longer periods of time”, Louise said.
“They needed extra support in their home care packages, but that was not provided.”
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