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Killarney mother plans to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day
AWARENESS: Simone and Emilie Leahy pictured launching a coffee morning for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. Photo: Michelle Crean
By Michelle Crean
Next Thursday World Down Syndrome Day takes place across the globe - and one Killarney woman plans to take part to raise awareness and funds.
Simone Leahy, whose 20 month-old daughter Emilie has Down Syndrome, is planning a coffee morning in the Cahernane House Hotel next Thursday, March 21, from 10am to 12.30pm.
She said both she and her sister-in-law Nicola Browne want to raise awareness of World Down Syndrome Day, and to raise funds towards the Kerry Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.
“It’s a world celebration of every person with Down Syndrome and their families,” Simone told the Killarney Advertiser this week.
“The date is special as it is the 21stday of the third month - which signifies the three copies of the 21stchromosome which leads to Down Syndrome.”
The events worldwide helpto raise public awareness and create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down Syndrome, Simone, who is married to Noel Leahy, added.
“With Emilie you go into a whole new world but you’re not excluded. It’s only been a short journey, but it’s been a wonderful one. We’ve made new friendships with people.”
Simone said the Kerry services, which are run through a centre in Tralee are amazingly supportive - but they receive no Government funding of any kind.
She’s hoping that the coffee morning will raise funds adding that she has seen Emilie come on so much since using the service.
“There’s 235 members in Kerry. It relies completely on donations. Emilie receives subsidised physio and speech language therapy and is learning to stand up on her own. One of the big rollouts is Lámh, which is modified sign language while speech is delayed and we get training in that. She’ll benefit from the centre for years to come.”
To get World Down Syndrome Day trending on the day make sure to join in the ‘lots of socks’ campaign by taking pictures and videos and posting them on social media using the hashtags #LotsOfSocks, #WorldDownSyndromeDay and #WDSD19.
News
Maine Valley Golf Club raises €13,050

Maine Valley Members Golf Club hosted a Comfort for Chemo Golf Fundraiser in memory of Kathy Scannell. The fundraiser was a great success raising €13,050. Clonkeen Forestry Services sponsored the event, and a cheque was presented to Mary Fitzgerald, Paul McCarthy and Mary Horgan on behalf of Comfort for Chemo.
Maine Valley Members Golf Club and Clonkeen Forestry services would like to thank all those who sponsored T-boxes, golf teams, and those who purchased tickets for the event. They would also like to thank Tom Barry from Killarney Printing for all the print works.
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Dóchas Drama Group’s series of short plays is go!
The Dóchas Drama Group will run a series of short plays at the Muckross Schoolhouse from December 5 to 7. The group’s annual performance has been switched to the Muckross […]

The Dóchas Drama Group will run a series of short plays at the Muckross Schoolhouse from December 5 to 7.
The group’s annual performance has been switched to the Muckross venue as its traditional base – the ballroom in the Killarney Avenue Hotel is being refurbished.
“If you are fed up with the incessant rain and constant bad news. Do you need a break? Are tired of listening to advice about your Christmas cake recipe? There is a perfect solution,” said the group’s Liz Ryan.
“We will present six short plays and some of the questions you may ask yourself are:
“Why is Jane suddenly so honest?
“What did happen on December 9. Will Tiffany be promoted? Will Mags eventually find love?
“Can lost love be re-kindled? What do grandparents get up to when they’re babysitting?
For answers to these questions and more, come along to Muckross Schoolhouse on December 5, 6 and 7.”