Nearest available bed for daughter with rare disability is in Portlaoise
By Mary Dennehy
A TALLAGHT mother has shared her story in a bid to raise awareness around the lack of residential care beds for people with intellectual disabilities in Dublin, after the nearest available bed for her daughter was in Portlaoise.
Living in Cushlawn, Irene McKim’s daughter Megan has a rare genetic disorder called Smith Magenis syndrome – which has resulted in the 21-year-old being in residential care since she was 14.
Irene told The Echo: “It was just myself at home and it was too hard to manage Megan, so at 14 she went into residential care in Dublin.
“However, the service she was living in closed its adult services and last October, Megan was sent to a residential home in Portlaoise as there was nothing for her in Dublin.
“I bring Megan home every second weekend, but in between that, her being in Portlaoise really impacted on me visiting her.
This week Irene had to take Megan home from Portlaoise after her daughter was moved to another centre, in which she did not settle.
“Megan was moved to another home in Portlaoise, but was unsettled and became very upset,” Irene said.
“As I was so far away I was unable to just drop into Megan when she needed me, so I had no option but to take her home this week.”
She added: “Megan is a great girl and very chatty and is able to wash and dress herself almost independently.
“However, she does need somebody with her 24/7 as she has no sense of personal safety and needs me on hand to look after her meals etc.
“I am a single mam and wasn’t able to mind Megan at home when she was 14, so I am concerned about how I will manage if I can’t get a place for Megan in Dublin and this situation continues long-term.”
Irene, who works as a carer, told The Echo that she contacted a number of services across Dublin.
According to Irene, a few services told her that they don’t have the services to cater to Megan’s needs, however, for the most part, she was told that there are ‘no places available’.
“I have tried to research this myself on-line, but nowhere in Dublin can take Megan,” Irene told The Echo.
“I contacted the HSE as well but it could be weeks or months before they can find us a place.”
She added: “At the end of the day I just want Megan to be happy and I hope that sharing my story may highlight the lack of beds in Dublin and the stresses that this is putting on families.”
The Echo put a number of questions to the HSE but a response was not received.
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