Cuisle, a holiday paradise for disabled

Marianne O'Malley spends time with a group of disabled young people on holiday - and in search of craic - at Cuisle.

Getting away for a few days is a fairly ordinary expectation for most of us. Nice, but on our Richter scale of excitement it barely tweaks the graph. But for a group of 30 young people who have just arrived in the grounds of Donamon Castle, Co Roscommon, the graph has registered a seismic peak.

The atmosphere crackles with anticipation. Traffic jams, road works and torrential downpours on the long journey have been forgotten. They're here now, and the serious business of having the time of their lives has begun.

Without a doubt, Cuisle, an extremely comfortable holiday centre, is unique. Having excellent facilities, delicious food and friendly efficient staff available at rock bottom prices is, as we all know, fairly unique in Ireland.

And being open 365 days a year and flexible enough to welcome bookings from individuals or groups is not so common either. But what makes Cuisle truly unique is that it is pure unadulterated luxury for people with disabilities.

We are not talking about the ephemeral luxury of a four star hotel with Egyptian cotton sheets, squashy sofas and deep pile carpets, but the life-enhancing and life-changing luxury of equality and respect. Cuisle is completely wheelchair accessible. And not in the mainstream mode of stick-a-ramp-at-the-door and - hey presto! - access, but generously and thoughtfully accessible with enormous bathrooms en-suite, extra wide corridors, spacious uncluttered communal rooms with dining tables high enough and light switches sufficiently low to facilitate wheelchair users.

But that's not all. This amenable physical environment is complemented by staff who are fully trained and comfortable in providing personal assistance and nursing care to people with disabilities 24 hours a day. All of this, combined with an ethos that is based on facilitation and autonomy, means people with physical disabilities achieve a level of independence in Cuisle that is a hugely anticipated hiatus from our hostile and inconsiderate world.

And this group on their annual youth break organised by the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is making the most of it. Bubbly Lorraine Maher, a 20-year-old drama student at the Ballyfermot Theatre Workshop, is tentatively sipping orange juice at breakfast. "I'm exhausted," she sighs. "we stayed up playing pool until all hours after the disco last night. But it was just too much craic to miss." She grins, adding: "But don't worry. I'll be back on top form for Blind Date tonight!"

Centre manager Jean Coleman explains that this week is specially organised for the youth group from the IWA and a full programme of events is planned. "However, members of the group decide themselves whether they want to participate or not," she says.

Geraldine Coyne, one of the duty managers, elaborates as we watch an animated group just chatting and relaxing. "Coming here is a great opportunity for friends to spend time together. Transport and accessibility problems can make that very difficult for people with disabilities."

Connie Richardson from Clane in Kildare and Jonathan Smith from Drogheda have been going out together for four years and confirm that seeing each other as often as they'd like is difficult.

"We try to get down here about three or four times a year. It's the only place we can be alone together and still get all the support we need," Jonathan adds. Connie smiles: "And it's great to get away with our friends sometimes too."

Daragh Kennedy and Marion Dowling, co-ordinators of the IWA youth programme christened Spirit, are passionate that this is not just a so called "respite" break but a serious learning experience for the participants, as well as being great fun.

As Daragh explains: "The nature of Spirit is to give our members the tools that will help them help themselves in their lives. Our motto is 'Youth driven and Youth lead'."

And Olan McGowan, the IWA's national advocacy and media co-ordinator, is here to lead a lively group discussion on the meaning of advocacy and the process of empowerment.

Dara Carroll, a young man from Stillorgan in Dublin, brings up a practical problem faced by many wheelchair users. "How can we stop people putting those tiny sinks in wheelchair loos? Every time I use one to wash my hands I end up looking like I've wet myself!"

The entire room erupts with laughter. Then they settle down to discuss tactics with Olan to resolve this problem.

But then the sun finally breaks through and the group heads outdoors to avail of the unexpected dry spell.

During a high-spirited game of boccia, Lucy Riordan from Greystones awaits her turn, and with the aid of her Lightwriter computer mounted on her powered electric wheelchair, explains why she enjoys Cuisle so much,

"I love my family and home very much. But it's really nice to get away by myself."

Cuisle has 36 twin rooms with en-suite and charges €65 per day full board. Contact: Cuisle, Donamon, Co Roscommon; tel: 0906 662277; website: www.cuisle.com; e-mail: cuisle@iwa.ie