Offaly woman outlines challenges she faces to mark International Disability Day

Aisling McElligott, centre, with Senator Pippa Hackett and local elections candidate, Liam Walsh at a recent conference on sustainability

placeholder image — Aisling McElligott, centre, with Senator Pippa Hackett and local elections candidate, Liam Walsh at a recent conference on sustainability

Tullamore's Aisling McElligot has issued a statement to mark International Disability Day, which is being celebrated today, Sunday, December 3.

Aisling writes: “Being a person with a disability, I am faced with many challenges and obstacles every day. Like any other person, there is always gonna be difficulties that we face in life. I try to live my life to the best of my ability and sometimes I do that by pretending I am not bound to my wheelchair and that it doesn’t control my life but sometimes there are times where I can’t live the ‘normal life’.

"There are often times when i have people look at me and only see a girl in a wheelchair and not the person I am and all the things I can achieve. Some things as simple as someone parking their car on the curb and not leaving enough space for a wheelchair to get by is a challenge that I am faced with daily.

"As we mark International Day for People with Disabilities today, be more thoughtful and think of others and the daily challenges they may face. “