Orla Martin dances the night away for birthday
A former Share a Dream Foundation ‘Children of Courage’ recipient had a special celebration with family and friends in the Upton Court Hotel.
Orla Martin from Ballycanew, who celebrated her 21st birthday, was born with Down Syndrome and has lived with a very serious heart condition all her life.
‘We did not think she would live this long,’ said Orla’s mother Iris Martin, who is originally from Dublin. ‘It was more a celebration of her life.’
The evening kicked off with a delicious spread by the Upton Court Hotel, topped off with a specially made cake bought for Orla by her sister Laura Blanchfield.
The night did not stop there as family and friends, who travelled from far and wide to attend Orla’s party, danced the night away to music by Eddie and Joan Davitt.
Orla had the time of her life with mother Iris, step father Mick Murphy, grandmother Kay Myles, sister Laura, nieces Molly and Tara, nephews Eoin and Glen, friends and her work colleagues from Ballymoney House.
‘I would like to give an overall thank you to those who attended and for all of the beautiful gifts,’ added Iris.
The Martin family hail from Dublin but moved to Ballycanew 18 years ago. Orla attended St Patrick’s Special School in Enniscorthy and is currently in Ballymoney House workshop.
When she was 11 years old, Orla was presented with the Share a Dream Foundation ‘Children of Courage’ award. The ceremony honours children who have showed tremendous courage in fighting illness and failing to allow sickness to infringe on their lives.