Sinead Murtagh and Edward Campbell have been living in their Kimmage townhouse for 10 years but only recently modified it to suit their particular needs. Sinead has been using a wheelchair to get around since she was 18 and their house has access ramps.
It's still not a perfect solution for the couple, who have given up on efforts to find a specially-adapted house in a new housing development.
Not believing in limited potential, Sinead has an honours degree in psychology and a full-time job administering funding for Government partnerships. Edward works in the computer industry.
Things have been hectic since baby Caleb arrived six months ago and it will be "an absolute nightmare" when he starts to move around, says Sinead. Her state-of-the-art wheelchair will have to develop wings, as every parent knows.
"Suddenly, when Caleb arrived, we needed more space. For ages, I couldn't find a cot I could use. I needed to be able to reach in and lift the baby out when the side is down. We got one eventually in Mamas and Papas. I had to take his pram into hospital because the Coombe's cots were too high. The hospital didn't even have a bathroom I could use easily.
"Ultimately, we need to be in a purpose-built house and we're trying to move out of the city to build. I'm not sure if altering everyday houses to make them accessible really works. The livingroom was my bedroom, but the bathroom was upstairs - at one time, I was able to get upstairs. The patio had to be raised because it had sunk a bit, so I couldn't get in or out of the door. There was meant to be a proper ramp at the front of the house, but that had to be rebuilt too. It's difficult to explain to a builder exactly what `accessible' means."
Serious logistical problems were created for the couple when Edward damaged his back during a nightmare hotel stay two years ago. Before that, he was able to carry Sinead upstairs and they could use most of the house. Now the couple live, eat and sleep downstairs in what amounts to a one-bedroom open-plan apartment, while their au pair and Sinead's personal assistant occupy the top floor.
"We wanted to go to Thailand for our honeymoon but because we thought access might be an issue there, we decided on the US. We booked into one of the best hotels in New York which we expected to be accessible. It was a terrible experience. The wheelchair didn't even fit into the bathroom . . . I got stuck in the bath and Ed pulled his back when he was helping me get out. We only went to America because we thought the facilities would be good."
The couple met at a birthday party in Dundalk, Sinead says. "That was on Friday night. We drove to Carlow the next day, came home here on Sunday and Ed hasn't left since. We gave everybody a week's notice for the wedding at the registry office." Back from honeymoon, it became necessary to modify their house so everything could be managed on one level. They "struck gold" with Marie, their au pair, who comes from Le Mans in France and obviously adores Caleb.
The front door opens straight into the kitchen which, apart from few minor changes, is just as it was. A large bathroom with a wheel-in shower has been installed under the stairs. They insulated the sunroom at the back of the house and moved their bed and Caleb's cot in there.
The vinyl flooring was necessary for the smooth movement of Sinead's wheelchair. "The wheels squeak like a witch's cry," laughs Sinead. "Caleb will be going to a creche soon; since I can't get in there, Marie will have to take him."
"We bought the house 10 years ago for £58,000 and it's very much a temporary solution. Every option has been tried. I've been all over the place and it hasn't worked out. The most recent budget will make a difference. It includes help to make new houses accessible, acknowledging that to deviate from plans costs money for the developer.
"What is needed is a system of fines for offenders," she continues, talking about a subject she obviously feels passionate about. "The trouble is, local councils don't have the staff to inspect the sites and haven't good enforcing mechanisms. While the new regulations are great, I'm waiting to be convinced they'll work."
Although Sinead is content in her present job, she was bitten with the acting bug while studying at UCD and would have loved a career on the stage. She counts former fellow Dramsoc member, playwright Conor McPherson, among her greatest supports at that time. "I knew I was good, but I wasn't getting good parts because I was disabled. I actually overheard someone saying after one audition that, though I was the best for the part, using a disabled person wouldn't work.
People - even friends - can't help growing up with definite attitudes. Conor was looking at my performance only." The two main issues preventing disabled people taking up employment are transport and fear of losing the medical card, according to Sinead. She considers herself lucky to have funding for a personal assistant who helps her with day-to-day needs. She believes this is the way the Government should go, rather than providing carers' allowances for family members.
"This way, it is up to the disabled person to decide who they want to assist them. They'd have a professional who works for a wage and pays tax, yet that person could still be one of the family. The word `carer' shouldn't exist." Her US experience proved how good the regulations are at home, says Sinead. "At least they do something here. My view has changed so radically. Disabled people are very good at taking what's given and being very grateful. Now I'll no longer make do. That's as grown-up as I have to be."
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