Laois Citizen's Information and Cuisle volunteer on living with disabilities

A Laois man and community volunteer who lives with several disabilities, hopes he can help and inspire others to overcome obstacles and fulfil their goals.

Thomas Byrne, 52 from Portlaoise, is well known to many as a professional advisor in Portlaoise Citizens Information Office for the past 18 years.

He also does some voluntary work with Cuisle Cancer Support Centre in Laois.

He recently spoke about the difficulties and rewards he finds in life, in an interview for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) and hopes it will help others.

"I go to Beaumont Hospital every year for a check-up with consultant neurologist, as I have the neuromuscular condition, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). I also have dyslexia. My family support worker from Muscular Dystrophy Ireland is in regular contact with me and is a great support.

"As a child, I had club foot and they think this was associated with the CMT diagnosis. I was diagnosed in Temple Street at three or four years of age. I had to get different operations at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin, to fuse my feet and get the cartilage removed. Then I wore a brace.

"I now can wear normal, strong, supportive footwear. I know what to watch out for now. I always make medical professionals aware of my diagnosis. I feel sometimes medical professionals are not aware of CMT.

"The only medical aids I require are insoles for my shoes. It is a long process to get them but I know in advance when I will need them changed so I start the process early so I am not without them. I have a blue badge called a Disabled Person’s Parking Card and I drive to work in an automatic car.

"I get tiredness in my lower limbs and I cannot climb stairs or steps. When going to different places, I always check and plan ahead to make sure they are accessible," Thomas said.

Despite his conditions, he found it too difficult to get a Primary Medical Cert which would save him money.

"I did not apply for a Primary Medical Cert, which you need in order to qualify for tax relief under the Disabled Drivers’ and Disabled Passengers’ Scheme, as I feel the rules are out-dated and not all disabilities are recognised. It put me off applying as I feel I didn’t fall into any of the criteria. I do a lot of walking and keep active.”

Thomas is positive about his health, his work, and the support he gets from Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.

“My limbs are in good working order. I do have high potassium and they think it is coming from the CMT as I have none of the usual health conditions that cause it.

“They have been doing genetic tests for the last three or four years which were sent to Germany to try and find out more about this and the results are now with my consultant.

“The support I have received from MDI over the years has been very valuable. It is only in the last 10 years that I started looking into my condition. I did not know much before I started meeting more people with neuromuscular conditions, and during Covid I took part in the quizzes MDI ran.

“Before, if I was struggling, I did not know where to go for support. Now I know I can go to MDI. I hear about different member events that are happening, and Marie keeps in contact. I can discuss medical problems with her and she gives me advice on who to contact.

“Through my job, I am aware of the support that people with disabilities are entitled to, so I like my job and being able to make people aware of entitlements for people with disabilities. It is good for mental health to get out too," Mr Byrne said.

He attended St Aengus secondary school in Mountrath and went on to study in Abbeyleix FEC.

He has advice for other people with disabilites on their careers.

“Start by doing voluntary work, maybe in a CE scheme. Make contacts, put yourself out there. Whatever interest you have, pursue it. You need a bit of luck on the way but keep pushing.

"My major interest over the years was always helping people. I do talks for Citizens Information to community groups and I'm am on the board of the Laois Traveller organisation. When a client comes in, I learn from the client, I'm learning and training all the time in the job,” he said.