Disabled people ‘on our own’, says Cork rights campaigner Joanne O'Riordan 

Disability-rights activist Joanne O’Riordan has urged the new government to introduce improved supports for disabled people.

Millstreet native Ms O’Riordan, who was born without limbs, due to a very rare condition, called tetra-amelia syndrome, wants the Government to take steps that she feels are long overdue.

Ms O’Riordan, who covered the Paralympic Games for RTÉ in Paris 2024, told RTÉ’s Prime Time programme this week that the time for talk is over and that reform is needed now.

Fed up

“The reason why people with disabilities are so fed up is because we feel like we are on our own,” Ms O’Riordan said.

“A lot of us rely on family, friends, immediate people around us to look after us, when that shouldn’t be the case.

“A lot of us feel like a burden, most of the time, to our caregivers, or whoever it may be," she added.

“I think all we want, at the end of the day, is to be recognised as someone who can be valuable to society, who can do what we want to do, if we are given the right supports to do so,” said Ms O’Riordan.

Knockbacks

“But it is constant knockbacks and constant nos.

“It is constant knocking on this door to be referred to that door, to be referred back to the door where you were before.”

Ms O’Riordan added: “It is the constant feeling like a burden and, most importantly, the anxiety and the sense of dread.

“My dream life is that I am no longer reliant on my family anymore; I am able to do the things that I want to do, such as go to work, walk my dog, go to the gym, and take up something new.

“Just being able to get up and live like a normal, everyday person and not have to worry about red tape, not having to worry about lifts, and not having to worry about services being cut.”