Latest Laois News: Down Syndrome Ireland “Laois Branch” celebrated World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day celebrated by Down Syndrome Ireland “Laois Branch”
Down Syndrome Ireland “Laois Branch” celebrated World Down Syndrome Day last Sunday by all our members wearing lots of Rock your socks for the day,taking part in the DSI virtual “Purple Run”, celebrating all things Down Syndrome, which is usually run in the Phoenix Park, and many other events throughout the day.
The Laois Branch of DSI launched our “ (€4.00 Text to Donate number 50300 with the word Dreams)” Fundraiser in support of our DSI “Laois Branch”, Employment Training Centre of Excellence project in Abbeyleix on (WDSD) last Sunday. To this end, we are publishing one member’s profile each month going forward, to let the public know exactly who they will be supporting, and how they will make a difference to the lives of our members going forward.
The DSI Laois Branch “Field of Dreams” project will incorporate a Coffee Shop, Charity Shop, Horticulture Base, Office Spaces, Therapy and Training Rooms, Walkway, Running Track etc. in order to equip our members with the different array of skills and abilities required to hold down jobs in meaningful paid employment, leading to independence, both personal and financial, and hopefully Independent Living in a project that will run alongside, and adjacent to the Laois “Field of Dreams” project.
Our Branch has acquired a 4-acre site from Laois County Council to establish this project which will make such a huge difference to the lived lives of people with intellectual and physical difficulties in the county. It will also alleviate the huge pressure on the Day Services in the county in terms of overcrowding etc.
We are asking the public to support this endeavour by donating €4.00 to our Text to Donate fundraiser going forward, or alternatively donate to our Gofundme page here. People may donate however much or little they want to in this way.
The first member profile to kick off this fundraiser is Sadhbh Lalor. The project will help our Branch to complete our “Cradle to Grave Philosophy” whereby we support our members throughout their life cycle.
We currently supply heavily reduced Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy and Chiropody to name a few. This Employment Training Centre of Excellence project will, with the help and support of the public in Laois and surrounds, help us to complete the life cycle support for people with Down Syndrome in delivering financial and social independence, Independent Living and meaningful social integration into the fabric of our communities here in Laois.
The Laois Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland has been in existence since March 1995 and continues to be the Primary Source of support for people with Down Syndrome and their families in the county.