Success for two Longford pupils in ‘Someone Like Me’ art competition

The competition, which is supported by the National Disability Authority, attracted over 2,700 entries from primary school pupils and their teachers right across Ireland – almost 1,000 more than last year.

First class pupil Michaela Marlowe from Cloontagh NS, Killashee, whose teacher is Leonie Beirne, was the Longford Junior Category winner and sixth class pupil Emily Reilly from St Patrick’s NS, Dromard was the County Senior Category winner.

The competition, which is now in its seventh year, is a national celebration of the things that unite children of all abilities, helping to nurture more positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities.

Micheala’s colourful drawing shows different people, some in wheelchairs in a sea of rainbows. While Emily drew a zebra crossing where a blind person and a wheelchair user are crossing the street in front of a red car. The caption on the painting reads "Why be normal when you can be you?"

Michaela and Emily were presented with their plaques at the first in-person 'Someone Like Me' national final to take place for two years which saw representatives from fifty primary schools across the country gather at Dublin City Hall.

Congratulating Michaela and Emily and their schools, Minister of State with special responsibility for disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, said “I am hugely encouraged by the growing interest in the Someone Like Me art competition. It shows a real commitment on the part of teachers and pupils to helping to develop a shared understanding of how we should treat others in a caring, sensitive and inclusive way, promoting a sense of belonging and connectedness.”