Projects in North set to get €1M in Govt grants
BRAVE WAYNE RAISES AWARENESS OF CONDITION
AN ALL-ISLAND women’s football competition is among the beneficiaries of a round of grants announced by the Tanaiste.
Micheal Martin announced grants worth €1 million to 35 crossborder projects.
They range from theatres to hospices, the environment, community development, local government associations, railway connections and the 2024 All-Island Cup, a women’s football competition staged by the Football Association of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Football league.
Mr Martin praised the projects as covering “a broad range of sectors and themes”.
Vision
“I established the
Shared Island Initiative in 2020 with a positive vision for the future of our island – a vision of a more confident, inclusive and prosperous island for everyone, North and South,” he said.
“The Shared Island Civic Society Fund promotes practical co-operation and interaction in civic society on this island.
This latest round of grants will promote North-South co-operation and enhance cross-border civic, economic, cultural and community links across the island,” Mr Martin said.
AN EPILEPSY sufferer has told how the condition has lost him friends and jobs – but insists he will not let it stop him achieving his life goals.
Wayne O’Reilly was 23 when he experienced his first seizure, which happened while he was at work in a fast food restaurant.
He said: “I was in the kitchen and had a full generalised seizure. It came out of nowhere, I fell to the ground, I tensed up and my body started jerking.”
Wayne (31) went to the hospital and was let out after a few hours, but he had another seizure while on the way home, this time in his friend’s car.
He returned to hospital and it was from this point onwards that he knew he wouldn’t be able to drive. “My seizures were random and no one in my family had the condition. We all had to learn and adjust rapidly.”
Wayne lives with his parents, sisters and nieces, who were a great support to him. “My nieces are getting to the age where they cry over the seizures as they are worried for me, but they are learning now what to do and how to help.”
He admits he hid himself away for the first year, as he was too afraid to venture out “I was lost. Now, I am able to tell people what to do. I don’t let it stop me from achieving my goals.”
Wayne lives in a rural area of Co Wexford and this is difficult for those with epilepsy due to the lack of public transport. He had to give up his first job, but the fast food chain then opened up a restaurant closer to home. He worked there as a manager for years.
Stress
He then worked in a supermarket, but Wayne says the advent of working from home has been great for people with his condition.
“It just takes that stress away.”
Wayne says he did lose friends because he wasn’t able to see them as much, due to not being able to drive anymore. “It did really show me who was there for me throughout. There’s a great group of lads there, my family, my neighbours, who can help me and know what to do. They are by my side and they understand.”
He says many people don’t realise that those with the condition are perfectly capable of looking after themselves. “People ask, are you sure you can do that, are you capable? It is just because they care, but it does take you down at the same time.”
Wayne has continued to play football because it’s a good way for him to meet up with friends. “If I need help, I can always ask.”
There’s a lot of misconceptions about epilepsy, he adds. Many people don’t understand why their seizures happen, and just a small percentage are triggered by flashing lights. “There’s over 40 different types of seizures and some people may not fall to the ground at all.”
If you witness someone having a seizure, Wayne says there’s three key word to remember: ‘time, safe, stay.’
“Time the seizure. If it lasts longer than five minutes or the person starts to have another seizure immediately afterwards, ring an ambulance.
“Make sure the area the person is in is safe – put a blanket or jacket under their head, but do not move or restrain them while they are having a seizure.” Wayne says you should never put anything in the person’s mouth. “There’s an old belief that you need to put something in their mouth to stop them from ‘swallowing their tongue’. “Swallowing your tongue is impossible and it could lead to injuries, so you should never do this.”
People should also stay with the person having the seizure. “Once they come around, let them know you were there and make sure they are alright before leaving. “That way they know someone was looking after them and they were safe. It’s a great comfort for people who have just had a seizure.” He is hopeful that the more he raises awareness, the safer people with epilepsy will be in public, as everyone will know how to help.
■ For more information about epilepsy, visit epilepsy.ie
CLEARING IT UP: Wayne says there are misconceptions about epilepsy