Annagry woman who suffers from spina bifida and picks up sailing award
Roseann McGinley received the inaugural Foyle Sailability Ken Doherty Achievement Award for her exceptional performance with the voluntary group
A sailor from Annagry who has won an award for her exceptional performance in a sailing competition has urged other people with disabilities to take up sport.
Roseann McGinley suffers from spina bifida and scoliosis and has been diagnosed with type two respiratory failure, which means she needs to carry an oxygen tank at all times.
The inaugural Foyle Sailability Ken Doherty Achievement Award, a perpetual trophy, was presented to RoseAnn for her exceptional performance.
There was a great turnout of people from Ardar and Ballyshannon
Speaking about what advice she would give others, Roseann, who works at the ATU in Letterkenny, said: “Really, just try and find something you enjoy. Even if it’s a small step at a time, don’t be afraid to do it, and don’t think ‘I can’t do it.’
For anyone who takes something up, whether you have a disability or not, you’re not going to be good at it the first time. Everyone will have their setbacks - and don’t be hung up on your disability.
“No one knows what’s going through a person’s mind. No matter whether you’re disabled or not, everyone will have their own issues.
“Everyone – disabled or not – should get involved with sport for their own well-being,” she said. “It’s a good stress relief, as much as it helps you physically. There’s a sport for everyone – it’s just a matter of finding it.”
Speaking about her medical condition, Roseann said: “It does affect my life, but you just learn to adapt. It’s something I’ve had all my life. I am close to my family and they would give me a lot of support. Me and my sister went to school together and we were brought up the same.”
Foyle Sailability, a voluntary group based at Prehen in Derry which offers people with disabilities the opportunity to sail in a safe and accessible environment, held its annual award ceremony on 12 March. The event, held in Solo Restaurant in Campsie, Eglinton, was an occasion of much camaraderie and laughter.
Speaking of RoseAnn’s award, Co-ordinator Ken Curry said: “What clinched it for us was that day in Ballycastle last summer, probably one of the roughest days I’ve been out in dingies with Sailability. Other experienced sailors were coming back in that day. If you’re sailing in Rathlin Sound, anyone that knows about sailing knows it’s not a place to mess about in.
“We were very impressed with Roseann’s helming that day, considering that she finds it a wee bit more difficult than the rest of us, not being able to move about. It was an exceptional performance and the award is well deserved.
“I think there’s a lot more worthy than myself to get the award, but it’s an honour all the same that they chose me,” said RoseAnn.
Since the group was founded 11 years ago, Foyle Sailability has increased its membership significantly. There are 25 regular members, and 40 who participate on an occasional basis. The group is open to people with disabilities from all over Donegal.
Mr Curry joked that when Foyle Sailability was first set up, many people were very enthusiastic, but not as many people wanted to do the hard work that was involved. He wanted to take the opportunity to thank the committee for their work in helping make the group a success. He thanked founding member Ken Doherty for the voluntary work he has done for many years.
Despite the bad weather last summer, Foyle Sailability had a successful season, with events held in Ballycastle, Rathlin Sound, Greencastle, Belfast Lough and Loch Erne.
Pozenbny Premyslaw (Prez) and Niamh McManus both received an RYA Sailability Entry Level. Awards for members who showed continued commitment were made to Cara Curran, Claire McCarron, Roseann McGinley, Maria McGrory and Jason Le Masurier.
Outstanding contribution awards were made to Marty Haire and Reggie Downey for their hard work throughout the year.