READY AND ABLE!
ABILITY West and Creggs RFC joined forces to host a summer camp specially designed for children with special needs.
Camp Ability is a pilot programme created to bring together children with autism and intellectual disabilities who might have felt left out and not able to attend summer camps like their peers.
This one-week inaugural camp welcomed more than 17 children, each paired with one-to-one support, and saw the creation of some wonderful friendships and bonds that might last for years to come.
Activities at the camp ranged from outdoor fun on the all-weather pitch such as rugby kicks, run through tunnels, soft play golf and a music area to indoor sensory activities, messy play area, art projects, interactive sensory projector zones and the use of the state-of-the-art Creggs Gym.
Children also had the opportunity to use the specially designed trikes kept at Creggs — one allowing a wheelchair to be securely mounted at the front while an adult cycles, and another providing a safe harness for children with normal mobility. With the club’s long tracks, these trike rides proved exhilarating and empowering experiences for the children.
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CIAN Pearson showing his rugby abilities to Kamala Olsson, Enable Ireland, Minister Hildegarde Naughton and Katie Hutchinson, Enable Ireland at Camp Ability. Jacinta FahyImage 2 of 11
CIAN Pearson giving Minister Hildegarde Naughton a run for her money at Camp Ability, the first camp of its kind in Ireland in Creggs RFC organised by Ger Dowd and Ability West. Jacinta FahyImage 3 of 11
AT Ability West’s Camp Ability, the first camp of its kind in Ireland held in Creggs RFC were Gavin Duffy, Connacht Rugby; Mary Foyle, Director of Operations, Ability West; Ray Kelly, Chairperson of the Board of Ability West; Renjith Joseph, Physiotherapy Manager at Ability West; Clara Kirrane Silke, Respite and Community Service Manager, Ability West; Julie Silke Daly, CEO Ability West; Ger Dowd, Organiser and Creggs NS Principal; Dr Martin Daly TD, Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Mary Halloran, Head of Disability HSE; Pat O’Gorman, Creggs RFC and Claire Bailey, Senior Physio. Photos: Jacinta Fahy Jacinta FahyImage 4 of 11
AINE Hussey, Margaret McMahon Keaveny and Bríd Walsh, Glenamaddy at Camp Ability. Jacinta FahyImage 5 of 11
FRIENDS Owen Kenny and Evan McGowan showing what it’s all about at Camp Ability. Jacinta FahyImage 6 of 11
EOGHAN Barnes being presented with his Camp Ability Certificate by Mary Halloran, Head of Disability HSE and Minister Hildegarde Naughton at Camp Ability. Jacinta FahyImage 7 of 11
MATTHEW Quinn, being presented with his Camp Ability Certificate by Mary Halloran, Head of Disability HSE and Minister Hildegarde Naughton at Camp Ability. Jacinta FahyImage 8 of 11
OWEN Kenny being presented with his Camp Ability Certificate by Mary Halloran, Head of Disability HSE and Minister Hildegarde Naughton at Camp Ability. Jacinta FahyImage 9 of 11
KATELYN Costello being presented with her Camp Ability Certificate by Mary Halloran, Head of Disability HSE and Minister Hildegarde Naughton. Jacinta FahyImage 10 of 11
CAOIMHE Dowd being presented with her Camp Ability Certificate by Mary Halloran, Head of Disability HSE and Minister Hildegarde Naughton. Jacinta FahyImage 11 of 11
EVAN McGowan being presented with his Camp Ability Certificate by Mary Halloran, Head of Disability HSE and Minister Hildegarde Naughton. Jacinta FahyAbility West physiotherapists were also present at the camp to ensure all activities were safe and appropriate. Their expert guidance helped every child participate confidently and comfortably.
Children were provided with meals prepared by Gladys and her team in the Creggs Cafeteria, with full consideration of any dietary or feeding requirements.
Creggs Rugby Football Club (RFC) is equipped with multiple facilities required for the comfort of the children. A special sensory room adjacent to the clubhouse also offers a calming environment for relaxation and sensory engagement.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Hildegarde Naughton attended the closing day of Camp Ability and called it a celebration of inclusion and boundless potential.
“This is a milestone moment where children with autism and intellectual disabilities shared in the same adventure, fun and friendship together,” remarked Minister Naughton.
CEO of Ability West Julie Silke Daly said that creating this camp is a new departure from what they normally do at Ability West.
“This pilot camp has been such a success that we hope to increase the number of places next year.
“Having the backdrop of a facility like Creggs RFC has made this a very memorable experience for the attendees and our huge team of camp leaders,” she concluded.
Ger Dowd who is the Principal of Creggs National School said, “Back in April this was just an idea Julie and myself chatted about and it’s great to see it become a reality and I look forward to building on it year on year. Thanks to literally everyone who was involved in the camp – it was a great success!”