Parent power delivers new adult respite service
ONE of Drogheda’s most active campaigners for young adults with autism has welcomed the opening of a respite service in Balbriggan.
Jacinta Walsh of ABACAS school has worked tirelessly in seeking a respite service for her son Sam and for other young adults with autism, even featuring on RTE’s Primetime last year, where the need for respite service was clearly articulated.
Now Bower House, opened on the Balbriggan coastline by the Talbot Group on April 9th, will allow families and service users to have regular planned breaks which will help sustain families to continue their very important role in providing care and support to their family member in their own home.
“I am delighted that this respite service is now available, not only for my son Sam but for all the families who badly need it,’ Jackie told the Drogheda Independent.
“We would like to wish the Talbot Group every success with the service. Getting an adult respite service up and running in this area has been a long and hard-fought campaign involving a great many dedicated and supportive people.
Local TD Fergus O’Dowd also attended the launch and said he hoped many families in Louth and Meath can avail of the facilities.
“I’m delighted this long term campaign has finally delivered an excellent outcome for the families most in need of respite in County Louth.
Bower House is a modern and comfortable respite environment for young adults with disabilities,” he said.
“My sincere thanks to all the stakeholders who have worked so hard on getting this over the line.
In particular I would like to thank and commend Jacinta Walsh for her Trojan effort in highlighting and campaigning on the respite issue.
It was real honour to work alongside Jacinta and many other families who have faced such despair over recent years.”