Making friends
‘It’s not just a game of bowling, it’s where friendships are made’
ON TUESDAY evening, the bowling lanes in Leisureplex in Tallaght were a hive of activity as young people from a local Down’s syndrome group held their weekly meet-up and bowling competition.
The event has been held every Tuesday for the past year, after being founded by local parents, and is supported by Down Syndrome Dublin.
The participants are all aged from ten up to 18, and derive a great sense of enjoyment from the group and have developed lasting friendships as a result of the meet-ups.
Clondalkin woman Sandra O’Reilly is one of the parents who helped to set up the group, and her 12-year-old daughter Carla Ryan always enjoys taking part.
“The first few weeks after we started it, we were coming back after Covid so some of the kids were very shy,” Sandra told The Echo.
Cathal, Bobby, Liam, Rob and Tony
“Some of them ‘hung back’ for a little while, but now it’s great to get to see them all coming back together.”
The shyness of the participants has now largely evaporated, and has been replaced by enthusiastic high-fives after successful strikes and upbeat banter.
It also provides the children with the opportunity to develop their life skills, such as using money to pay for things and asking staff for assistance.
The children who attend all look forward to taking part and consider it a highlight of their week, while their parents also get to have a chat while their children are bowling.
Lara
Some of the young people are already showing promise with their bowling skills, and Sandra believes that there may be some future Special Olympians in the group.
But, at its core, the group is about fostering friendships and offering a social outlet for the children and teenagers, and the success of it is evident by their enthusiasm every Tuesday evening.
“It’s not just a game of bowling,” added Sandra. “It’s where friendships are made, and fun is had by everyone.”
The group is open to new members, however they need to be members of Down Syndrome Dublin – which requires the payment of a €20 annual family membership fee – to join.
To find out more information about joining the group, email info@DownSyndromeDublin.ie or call Down Syndrome Dublin on 01 902 2989.
