Two groups, one Golf Classic and the Thurles community behind them

On Friday July 21, Thurles Care will host their annual Golf Classic.

Now in it’s fourth year, the event raises funds for both Thurles Care and another local organisation.

This year Thurles Care are supporting a cause most dear to the people in the area, Meitheal 21.

Both Thurles Care and Meitheal 21 have received huge support from the Thurles community, to do the work that they do.

And this is Thurles Care’s way of returning that good will.

Thurles Care PRO Mary Barry and Meitheal 21 Co-Chair Angela Corcoran popped into the Tipperary Star to tell us all about their wonderful work and the upcoming Golf Classic.

THURLES CARE

Thurles Care is a voluntary group who support elderly people living alone, helping them make new friends and connect with a community.

With the help of about 20 volunteers, they organise big and small events for a guestlist of about 80 people.

“And it’s really to get people to reconnect and to see their reaction when they meet each other is fantastic,”said Mary.

Their most recent event was dinner in Templemore, but they also go on trips outside, as well as organising fundraisers. Thurles Care is a not for profit organisation and relies solely on donations.

Their transport is sponsored by Jerry Ryan and the Order of Malta, who also provide medical support.

Mary said this is particularly important for those who use a wheelchair or walking frame.

“And for this we are really grateful because it means we have more finances to organise these outings,” said Mary.

Thurles Care visits Ardeen Nursing Home in Thurles every two weeks to host music events.

“Again we are so lucky that we have five different groups of musicians, and they come on their turn to the Ardeen. And that brings new life to the residents there. They get up and dance, and sing and partake in what’s going on,” said Mary

Thurles Care are now organising a Golf Classic for Friday, July 21.

The event is sponsored by John Dwan and Stakelums. Mary also thanked a number of other people for their contributions and continued support of Thurles Care.

This is their fourth Golf Classic, with previous year’s fundraisers supporting North Tipperary Hospice, Suir Haven Cancer Support and themselves.

After the event there will be entertainment in the bar until late, and it costs €120 per team.

MEITHEAL 21

Meitheal 21 on Abbey Street is an organisation for people with Down Syndrome. Their members are all ages and they do a variety of activities from parental support, dance and sports to workshops, courses and speech and language therapy.

The group also supports people with Down Syndrome and a dual diagnosis for example autism.

Meitheal means community and the 21 represents the extra chromosome most people with Down Syndrome have.

Co-chair Angela Corcoran said they receive only small purpose-specific grants from the government and run most of their own activities.

“It’s all parent-run. It’s our children and so we have an interest in it so we give up our free-time.

“It’s their future so obviously we are going to do all that,” said Angela.

In August they will host their cycle fundraiser, and in September, the group plans to start Special Olympics, yoga and music therapy.

Despite the lack of government funding, Angela said that the response from the community in Thurles from day one has been phenomenal.

“And be aware of how good the community has been to us and still are. Like we appreciate that.

“And only for the community and what Mary and John O’Connell are doing our facility wouldn’t be standing because we can’t rely on the Government,” said Angela.

Angela said that Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has also been a great support in establishing Meitheal 21 and continues to support their activities.

“He would often come in if a dance class was on and he would join in with the kids and they love him,” said Angela.

LIKE ON TV

Meitheal 21 established their facility during the pandemic.

With the support of the community, Michal Lowry, companies like Stakelums and charity Hand to Heart, Meitheal 21 became a reality.

“We had people coming in from everywhere saying how can we help, I’m a tiler and then people were bringing in dinners.

“It was like something you would see on television where they do up a house of a child who gets sick or a parent. That happened here in Thurles and that’s why we call it Meitheal 21 because of the community in Thurles and the surrounding areas, “said Angela.

IMPACT

Meitheal 21 has a huge positive impact on its members. Angela said that they support their members with an array of issues and life challenges like grief, mental health and skills.

That she said means that in addition to advancements in medicine their members will live longer than people with Down Syndrome have historically lived.

But people with Down Syndrome are very susceptible to Alziemers.

Meitheal 21 is working through speech and language therapy to prevent that in their members as far as they can.

“People don’t realise, they are more the same than unlike us. It’s just they need that extra help and guidance to go and help them along in life,” said Angela.

Now, Meitheal 21 are looking at housing and employment supports for their members.

They also help facilitate nights out, dinners and other social activites for their members in a safe but inclusive way, with parental supervision.

“It’s all about quality of life, includsion and confidence, said Angela.

PARENTAL SUPPORT

According to Angela finding out your child has Down Syndrome is an over whelming experience.

Many parents do not know where to turn when they find out their child has Down Syndrome.

But Meitheal 21 can provide support, advice and physical therapy like baby massages and feeding techniques.

Anglea said that massage and feeding techniques, should be started as soon as possible after a baby is born.

That she said will help later with speech and language.

“It’s very daunting when you have a baby with a disability, you don’t know what the road is,” said Angela. But Meitheal 21 don’t see Down Syndrome as a disability, they see the person’s ability.

They understand that children with Down Syndrome need different things and how difficult that might be for a parent.

“As a parent we will get what another parent is going through.

“We know the challenges that you go through because some children have other medical conditions.

“But we all got over those hurdles and at the end of the day these children bring immense joy,”

“I wouldn’t change my son for the world,” said Angela.

GETTING INVOLVED

Membership is €20 for the year and you can pop into the centre for more information.

“We love showing off the facility. We are really proud of it and again that’s because of the community,” said Angela.

A HELPING HAND

Both Thurles Care and Meitheal 21 have hands as part of their logo.

For Mary and Angela that represents a shared goal of both organisation in ending lonliness for their members.

“All of us our always high fives, touch and sign language. That’s what all the hands are about. Same with ye the helping hand and support, said Angela

“Yes and friendship for those who are alone,” said Mary.