Live in Laois: Leo Kavanagh Special

The ‘Live in Laois’ crew of Hannah and John chat to proud Colt and Laois man Leo Kavanagh. Leo lets the viewers know about his family’s direct involvement in the first action taken during the 1916 Rising. Leo talks about his wonderful parents and idyllic childhood and how his mother discovered his disability when he was two weeks old. He tells the viewers about the botched surgery he underwent at just a month old which he carries the scars of to this day. He speaks powerfully about the horrible legacy that the so-called surgeon left for him and countless other patients. Leo recounts his education at Raheen National School and Abbeyleix Vocational School and the wise words of one particular teacher. Leo remembers being an unwelcome temp at Laois County Council for a year then recounts a period of unemployment. Leo speaks glowingly of the training he received when working for Esso and the American work culture there. Leo goes on to cover his 30-year career in the Civil Service ad has stories about his various postings in Ballsbridge, Nenagh, Kilkenny and finally Portlaoise. Leo is amused when recounting how he managed All-Ireland winners. He goes on to mention his love and knowledge of the GAA. Leo then ends with why he and other have founded the Physical Impaired Ireland group and how they took inspiration from the Embrace Farm group and its prominent members. He lays out the damning statistics for disabled people in Ireland in terms of housing, transport, education and work and how his new group want to tackle such inequalities.