Connect with us

News

‘Connected’ students leading an awareness campaign around issues of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia

Published

on

B

By Michelle Crean

 

Eight Transition Year students from Killarney called ‘The Connected Four’ are leading an awareness campaign around the issues of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.

As part of their Young Social Innovators (YSI) project, the students from Killarney Community College want to highlight the lack of education around these conditions saying there isn't enough accessible resources and supporting communities.

The Connected Four, who are Luke O’Sullivan, Rachel Griffin, Lulu Healy, Amy O’Donoghue, Eva Ryan Lynch, Keelyn O’Leary, Lauren Fleming and Jack O’Connell, believe that change is needed not just because there isn’t enough information on the conditions, but because there’s so much stigma.

“The reason why we chose this issue is, we all know someone, either family or friend who has been diagnosed with one or more of these conditions," Luke O’Sullivan said.

"As for most of the members in our YSI group, they have recognised the flaws in our society. Whereas, from the inside looking out, I can confirm experience of misunderstanding and the overall lack of education in our community.”

MAKING AN IMPRESSION

On Wednesday, Luke, Rachel and Eva, were the only school in Kerry, and just one of 10 projects in Munster, to take part at the YSI ‘Dragon’s Den’ via Zoom where they wowed the judges.

Paul Kelly from Unilever, Tim Butler from Virgin Media and Mary Roche from Tusla were impressed with the pitch and presentation which included an idea of creating a children's book of stories, aimed at Junior Infants to Second Class, around the four conditions with the theme of diversity.

The students received a cheque for €500 from the dragons to invest in their project. They have also been offered mentoring from Paul Kelly, Marketing Developer of Unilever, to guide them in the right direction with their book.

“The passion, the knowledge, the energy that the students showed on the day left the dragons ‘gobsmacked’! I am so proud of each and every one of these students and the initiative they show, even throughout lockdown, is an inspiration to all,” Lorraine Crowley, YSI Guide from KCC said

The group have very active social media accounts and a new YouTube channel is also being set up by the group to voice people's experiences and knowledge from interviews they are currently doing remotely online.

Advertisement

News

Chamber pays tribute to late Dick Henggeler

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at […]

Published

on

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has expressed condolences following the death of Dick Henggeler, the well-known owner of The Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Mr Henggeler passed away peacefully at his home in Baltimore, USA surrounded by his Aghadoe-born wife Eibhlin (née Moriarty), their son Franz, and other family members.
Dick and Eibhlin purchased The Rose Hotel in 2015 in tribute to their late daughter Dorothy, who represented Washington DC in the 2011 Rose of Tralee Festival.
The Chamber said Mr Henggeler would be remembered for his warmth, good nature and positive approach, as well as for being a forward-thinking and knowledgeable businessman.
“He knew how to run a good hotel and that was and still is very obvious at The Rose Hotel, which is a great success story,” the Chamber said.
It added that continuity of ownership will remain in place, with Eibhlin, Franz, daughter-in-law Amber, and grandchildren Conrad and Rowan continuing to honour Dick’s legacy and vision for the hotel.
“Dick took enormous personal pride in Tralee and all of Kerry and he was always available to generously support any community initiative or endeavour undertaken in Killarney,” the Chamber said.
“He will be greatly missed by all that knew him but he leaves a wonderful legacy.”

He will repose at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney, on Friday (October 17), from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. The funeral will arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday morning at 10:00am for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed at https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.

Continue Reading

News

Beaufort Film Night returns with French drama-comedy

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band. The film tells the story of Thibaut, […]

Published

on

Beaufort Film Night will return on Friday (October 17) at Cullina National School, with a screening of the French drama-comedy The Marching Band.

The film tells the story of Thibaut, a successful conductor recently diagnosed with leukaemia. A search for a bone marrow donor reveals that he was adopted and has a brother, Jimmy, a cafeteria worker.
The two meet, discover a shared love of music, and form a strong bond through an unexpected collaboration with Jimmy’s workplace band.
The Marching Band (French title En Fanfare) will screen at 8.30pm. Admission is €7, cash only, and will cover the motion picture licence fee.
The film has a 12A rating and is in French with English subtitles.
Beaufort Film Night is a non-profit community group that screens cultural English and international films that usually do not receive general release in Kerry.
The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office and Access Cinema. Cullina National School is providing the venue.
Further details are available on Beaufort Film Night’s Facebook page @BeaufortFilmNight.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport