Joe with his mother Hazel and sister Emma
Mother is helping to raise €1.5m for equine therapy centre expansion
A MOTHER, whose son is intellectually and physically disabled, is helping raise €1.5m for an equine therapy centre expansion which is being planned by Stewarts Care.
Hazel Baker is taking part in the Women’s Mini-Marathon to help Stewarts Foundation in its fundraising drive to deliver a world-class equine therapy centre expansion.
“When Joe was about three, some people said to me that I should start looking at schools and I came across Stewarts through their pre-school,” Hazel explains.
“So, Joe has been going to Stewarts since he was three, first in the pre-school, then school and now he’s in the adult day services and respite.
“When Joe is with Stewarts, he has an opportunity to socialise with his peers and the key workers really focus in on his interests, so he can go on walks, or to the cinema, or other things when he’s with the day service.
“Joe is totally quadriplegic, without Stewarts he wouldn’t have any real quality of life.”
Stewarts Care service user Grace McCabe from Ballyfermot
When Joe was born, he suffered from oxygen deprivation and as a result, lives today with profound physical and intellectual disabilities.
Through Stewarts Care and the services they provide, Joe has and continues to live a life with a lot more independence as it allows him to access the community.
Over the last 24-years, Joe’s mam Hazel has been running fundraisers for Stewarts, starting off with an Easter Fair before taking on the 10km Women’s Mini-Marathon.
“I started doing the Mini-Marathon 18-years-ago, and when my daughter Emma turned 12 she started doing it with me, it’s great having someone to walk with me,” Hazel, who lives in Clondalkin, details.
“The last two years we couldn’t because of Covid, but the rest of the years I’ve fundraised for Stewarts Care.
“Stewarts really look after Joe.
“Of course, there are other services but I couldn’t imagine him settling anywhere else, he just loves it there.
“Doing the Mini-Marathon is our way as a family of giving back for all they do for Joe in Stewarts.”
Stewarts Care, which is based in Palmerstown, has provided innovative care and support for children and adults with intellectual disabilities for over 150 years – with over 2,000 people availing of services today.
Stewarts Foundation, a registered charity, has launched #TeamStewarts to fundraising directly for the expansion of the Stewarts Care Equine Therapy Centre.
The goal of expanding the Equine Therapy Centre is to deliver not only a world-class equine therapy service for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, but also open its doors for the wider disabled community.
Seeking to secure €1.5m to expand the centre, the project will see the purchase of 12 additional specialist horses, a new stable being built, a new 16-horse outdoor arena, an accessible play therapy facility and a new sensory trail.
This expansion will increase the delivery of equine therapy from 140 to around 800 sessions per week, while making the services available to around 40 additional disability organisations, and schools.
It will provide an alternative form of respite, and deliver a world renowned form of equine assisted intervention known as the Horse Boy Method which aids in achieving social, behavioural and academic goals.
“We are excited to launch #TeamStewarts and support women of all abilities to achieve this personal goal,” Jacqui McDonnell, Fundraising and Development Manager for Stewarts Foundation, tells The Echo.
“The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon is an iconic event celebrating togetherness, and we are welcoming groups and solo participants to join our community on the day.”
Ballyfermot native Grace McCabe has also put herself forward for the Women’s Mini-Marathon to help raise funds for the equine therapy centre expansion.
Grace receives support from Stewarts Care through its Job Advocacy Support Service and is rearing to go after being picked as a leader for #TeamStewarts.
“This is my first Women’s Mini Marathon,” Grace says.
“I am really looking forward to the challenge and the party afterwards.”
Anyone wishing to join #TeamStewarts in the Women’s Mini Marathon, which takes place on June 4, can get involved by emailing fundraising@ stewartscare.ie
Or donations can be made by scanning the QR Code.
