OVER CERVICAL CANCER SCANDAL
overshadowed dying for her. It was the conversation that was had – why it was so important to tell the boys and share the stories.”
The Cervicalcheck scandal – brought into the public eye by cancer patient Vicky Phelan – rocked the health system and continues to affect hundreds of women.
Stephen, one of the co-founders of the 221+ lobby and support group, is still angry about his wife’s death because it could have been avoided.
He said: “Irene was failed by our healthcare system on more than one occasion. She should still be here, the boys should have their mother.
“It [motherhood] was taken from her when she didn’t want to go. She was such a fantastic mother and it was all she lived for. “Her milestone when she got the terminal diagnosis was she wanted to see Oscar start school and even that was taken from her.” Oscar, now seven, started school just one month after his mother passed away. Noah, now five, is due to start in September. Stephen revealed: “It’s bittersweet, even silly things trip you up along the way. “I remember teaching Oscar how to cycle without stabilisers and it was a great triumph but then you’re struck with the guilt that Irene is not here. Then
Vicky Phelan with Noah, 52 days it took to get Noah off stabilisers. But he finally did it, these are the things that remind you she should be here.
“Irene died on 26th of July – in August, Oscar started school. It was still very, very raw.
“It’s a big deal driving your first born to school, you’re going there and being the only person there was so raw.
“I was very proud of him but very sad at the same time to see him so grown-up. I carry all the emotion of any parent who sends their child to school for the first time.
“But there’s more emotion – the unfairness of it, the unfairness of what Irene went through, the unfairness that Noah doesn’t have his mum with
With Irene and sons him on his first day of school.”
Stephen, who was named Cork Person of the Year in 2019, is due to quit his job at the end of this month so he can rebuild his career around his precious boys.
He explained: “I think dads probably don’t get as much respect as they should do but I also think it has changed over the past few years.
“These days both parents are out earning to pay the mortgage, so responsibilities are more split in the house.
“All my friends who are fathers are fantastic dads. They and their wives work, they share the responsibilities and share the time.
“I think the struggle these days is
With Oscar & Noah finding a work-life balance. One thing positive out of Covid-19 is people working from home, not sitting in their car for hours, these extra hours they can gain with their families.”
The Teap men enjoyed a good day out on Friday with a picnic, a trip to Clonakilty, a woodland walk and a barbeque.
And while today Stephen will mark Father’s Day, it will be a low-key affair.
He said: “It’s just going to be a normal day. I’ll remind them going to bed on Saturday night that it’s Father’s Day on the off-chance they remember but I tried that for my birthday in January and it didn’t work.
“I’ve asked my dad to come over on Sunday and we’ll organise a takeaway, sit out in the back garden and have a nice day.”
STEPHEN TEAP ON RAISING HIS TWO SONS AFTER HIS WIFE IRENE DIED
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