Darragh’s little piece of history
MUCH-LOVED BOY (12) IS FIRST PUPIL WITH DOWN SYNDROME TO GRADUATE FROM ST AIDAN’S
DARRAGH Jordan has made history by becoming the first child with Down Syndrome to graduate from St Aidan’s Parish School.
Having enrolled in mainstream classes in junior infants eight years ago, Darragh progressed right the way through the school curriculum with his classmates, ensuring his place in the record books in the process.
And now, having completed one leg of his educational journey, he is preparing for the next, with the 12 year-old ready to start attending Enniscorthy Vocational College this coming September.
Joined by his mam Anita, dad Noel, and sister Aoibhe, the man of the moment celebrated his graduation with friends and teachers, posing for photos with those who had made his time at the school so memorable.
‘Since the day he started in the school, not one person has ever treated him differently,’ said Anita. ‘He doesn’t want to be defined by his Down Syndrome; he says, “I’m a human”.’
His auntie Trish was equally proud of Darragh’s achievements. ‘He’s surpassed every single expectation, between his health and his education. And as well as that, he’s made us closer as a family.’
HISTORY has been made at St Aidan’s Primary School following the graduation of sixth class pupil Darragh Jordan.
The twelve year-old has become the first student with Down Syndrome to graduate from the school, beginning his journey eight years ago in junior infants and continuing all the way through to sixth class.
In what was an emotional day for the entire family, his mother Anita said they were beyond proud of Darragh’s achievements.
‘We gave him the chance and he took it with both hands,’ said Anita of the decision to enrol her son in mainstream classes.
‘There was no reluctance from the school, he was made welcome from day one, everyone came on board with it. And it all worked out for him. It was down to teamwork in the end, everyone helped, all the family. We’re so proud of him and the family for the work they put in.’
Darragh, who turns 13 on September 18, was born with three holes in his heart and had to undergo open heart surgery six years ago, but Anita said he never let his health issues slow him down.
‘From the time he came into the world, Darragh stole the hearts of everyone he met. Since the day he started in the school, not one person has ever treated him differently. He doesn’t want to be defined by his Down Syndrome; he says, “I’m a human”. But look, once he’s happy and healthy that’s the main thing.’
Darragh’s next big step will come in September when he starts first year at Enniscorthy Vocational College (EVC), and Anita hopes her son’s achievements will offer inspiration for the parents of other children with special needs.
‘He’s definitely an inspiration to others, no doubt about it. I didn’t join Down Syndrome Wexford until he was three years old and at that age he was very full on, ready to go.
‘But his speech was good, he understood what was being said to him. Other parents used to come up to me and say their child would never reach the level Darragh was at, but I said it’s just a case of putting in the time with them, you have to put the work in.’
Someone who can attest to that work is Trish Hogan, Anita’s sister.
‘Anita was so proactive from the word go. She went private with his healthcare in some cases to ensure he would have the very best of care.
‘But the minute he came into the world she wanted to make sure he wasn’t treated differently to any other child. She had down days of course, like us all, but she was always so strong.’
And Trish said Darragh has surpassed every expectation they had for him.
‘When he came into our lives almost 13 years ago there were a lot of mixed emotions, we were unsure of what kind of life he would have ahead of him, health wise and everything else,’ Trish said.
‘He had heart surgery six years ago and still managed to be the life and soul of the ward in the children’s hospital in Crumlin. The day after the surgery, he was walking around with his IV drip chatting to everyone.
‘He’s surpassed every single expectation, between his health and his education. And as well as that, he’s brought us all together, made us closer as a family.’
Mary Roche was one of Darragh’s Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) during his time in St Aidan’s and she has fond memories of their time together.
‘I was his first SNA in junior infants in St Aidan’s and then I was his last one in fifth and sixth class. From day one, he fitted right in, he rose to any challenge. But he had a wicked sense of humour,’ Mary said as she recalled one incident which characterised ‘DJ’s’ mischievous antics.
‘When he started, he couldn’t pronounce my second name and used to call me Mary ‘Oche’. One day in junior infants, he crept under the table and wouldn’t come out.
‘So I went under there with him. And when he came out, I came out. Then we just looked at each other and he said, “Mary Oche, you’re cracked.” He would come out with things like that, he has an amazing sense of humour.’
Crediting all the school’s teachers, former principal Peter Creedon and current principal Frank Murphy, for ensuring Darragh’s time at St Aidan’s was an enjoyable one, Mary said his fellow classmates also played a pivotal role in his development.
‘He made friends very early on and those friends remained with him right the way through. Even when they were split into separate classes, those children always looked out for him in the schoolyard, they had a real empathy and understanding of him.’
And Mary believes that Darragh’s educational journey will continue in the same vein when he starts at EVC.
‘He’ll excel in secondary school, he’ll meet that challenge. He is such an inspiration; we have another child with Down Syndrome in the school at the moment and hopefully that child’s parents will be able to see what Darragh has done.
‘I’m going to miss him so much, it was my honour and privilege to work with him. But you build up friendships with family and I’m sure that will continue. I’ve promised to go and visit him. I wish him every success in the future and have no doubt he will go on to great things.’
Darragh’s auntie Trish is also looking forward to seeing him flourish in his new surroundings, but she said it was important he was accepted and included by his new classmates.
‘This might be the end of one chapter, but it’s the beginning of new one. I think the most important thing for him in secondary school is just being included, and for people to be aware of him and if they see anything they feel isn’t right, to report it,’ she said.
Patricia Davis was Darragh’s Resource Teacher for three years and said that even thinking about her former pupil brings a smile to her face.
‘From the very start his personality shone through; he could literally charm the birds off the trees. He loved to engage with everyone he met, staff and pupils alike.
‘A trip down the corridor was like being in the company of a celebrity with all the greetings flying to and fro. Interacting with others is one of Darragh’s special gifts and he availed of every opportunity to employ his excellent social skills in St Aidan’s.
‘In the classroom, he especially loved the one-to-one work periods and was most motivated when elements of fun and games were introduced. He loved the chance to outwit teachers, SNAs and fellow pupils – and boy could he do it. He has such a sense of fun and mischief.’
‘Darragh is blessed with his parents, Anita and Noel. The support we received from them was second to none. His homework was always meticulously completed and they always followed our recommendations. For my part, I will always remember him with great fondness; the very mention of his name brings a smile to my face.’
Darragh celebrated his graduation with two of his closest friends, Shania and Keira, before spending the rest of the day with his family, including dad Noel, and younger sister – and soulmate - Aoibhe (9).
And Anita said the emotion of the occasion eventually proved too much for all concerned.
‘There was a song I listened to at the time he came home from hospital called “May we never have to say goodbye” and we played that on the day of his graduation and Darragh sang every word.
‘When it was over, we said to him to stand up and say thanks to everyone but he just burst into tears,’ she said.
One person who was unable to make it for the big day was Darragh’s older sister Niamh, who lives in Philadelphia. But she had a message for her brother.
‘We want this to be a reminder to all parents of special needs children that despite the odds being against them, the sky is the limit for these amazing kids and anything is possible with hard word and dedication.
‘We can’t wait to see what further accomplishments this young man will achieve. But we know one thing for sure: the future is bright for Darragh Jordan.’