EVERYDAY HERO
Lorna Cahill
The women we’ve celebrated in our Trailblazer Awards so far will be known to most of you – but it’s important not to forget the everyday heroes making a difference in our communities.
One such woman is Lorna Cahill, from Dublin, who gives up so much of her time for others.
Lorna is a full-time special education teacher in an inner-city school, where she works with children with autism and intellectual disabilities. However, she doesn’t just help the kids during her working hours, she goes above and beyond, staying late in the evenings and developing her own after-school programme.
Her friend Kimberly Brophy, who nominated her for the award, told RSVP: “Lorna is the definition of a hero!
“She works extremely hard both in work and outside of working hours to ensure these kids get the best possible chance at life, and creates enjoyable experiences that they will remember.”
On top of that, Lorna gives up her Saturdays to run her local branch of girl guides, which she has been a member of since she was a child herself – and she’s a huge support to her family and friends.
“She spends her weekdays in school and her weekends with the girl guides, and the rest of her time looking after her own family, especially her nanny,” added Kimberly.
“On top of that, she doesn’t drink but is always the funniest person on nights out, and the designated driver who makes sure everyone gets home safely no matter how late it may be.
“She always has a smile on her face and never complains. I don’t know what I’d do without her in my life and I’m certain many other people and families feel the same.”
When Lorna found out she’d won this award, she said she was “delighted” – after double checking that it wasn’t a prank!
“Kim told me she had nominated me and I thought she was messing,” she laughed. “But I’m so delighted, I can’t believe it.”
She revealed she loves her job and never minds giving up her free time.
“Teaching in a special education setting allows you to make a difference to kids’ lives, teaching skills that we take for granted like how to deal with social situations,” said Lorna.
“I just have a big passion for it, so any way I can help, I will. I just want to make life easier for the kids because sometimes it can be very tough.
“It doesn’t feel like a job, and it’s easy giving up my free time because helping other people makes me feel good.”
She wishes there was more support out there for children with additional needs. “I’d love to see kids getting the resources they’ve been promised, that they so badly need and deserve.
“I work with so many families where the kids are six, seven or eight years old and they are still on waiting lists to get any input or help.
“When you don’t have the resources you’re trying to be a teacher, a speech and language therapist, a play therapist, a psychologist... And we’re not trained for all these things.
“We’re delivering as much as we can but it’s so frustrating. Everyone I work with is a fantastic person and they give so much – they are all everyday heroes.”