Down Syndrome Cork celebrates amazing mums with special lunch

WHILE many Cork ladies are gearing up to take part in The Echo Women’s Mini Marathon on September 17, another event takes place across the other side of the city.

Down Syndrome Cork are gearing up to host their first ever Lavender Ladies Lunch in the Radisson Holel Little Island.

“It’s time out to celebrate the ladies in their kids lives,” says Nikky Slattery, who is mum to Amy, aged 16, Orla, aged 14, and Cian, aged 11.

Cian is a person with Down Syndrome who has benefitted from the services and support offered by the Cork branch.

“We focus so much on the care of our kids, that sometimes we forget about ourselves,” says Nikki, who is a member of the Events Committee for DSC.

There’s cause for celebration.

“The Lavender Lunch is also a great opportunity for mums to celebrate their kids’ lives.”

Will Nikki be putting on the glad rags and painting the town red?

“Well, I’ll definitely be getting the nails and hair down for the event, and yes, I’ll pull out the glad rags,” says Nikky, laughing.

I was delighted to be asked to help with the preparations for the lunch. It promises to be a great day out.

What’s on offer at the Lavender Lunch, apart from lots of chat, lots of fun and catching up?

“There’s a Prosecco reception, finger food, a three-course meal, fun and prizes, entertainment and dancing,” says Nikki.

That’s an impressive line-up, promising a great day out.

“Everyone is looking forward to it,” says Nikki.

The Lavender Lunch is for a worthy cause.

“All proceeds go to Down Syndrome Cork. They support us parents and our children. Now we are supporting them.”

Fundraising events like this have an important role.

“They help create awareness,” says Nikky.

“There is a huge amount to be gained for our kids’ future.”

Nikky and her husband, Simon, and their daughters, Amy and Orla, have all benefited from the services and supports of Down Syndrome Cork.

“When Cian was born, there was a complicated two years involved medically wise,” says Nikky.

Cian had a heart and duodenum operation in Crumlin. Fortunately, both procedures went well.

“Since the age of three, Cian has been a member of Down Syndrome Cork (DSC) and has received immense benefits like speech and language therapy as well as occupational therapy. Cian loves the social interaction with his peers,” says Nikky.

“As a parent, you can see how DSC helped Cian reach his full potential, as well as us as a family.”

Cian is a member of the Special Olympic Club, Rebel Rock, where he hones his basketball and swimming skills.

Nikky and Simon started the club in 2018 when they were looking for a place in the area to allow Cian to learn sport skills which were age appropriate and to form lasting friendships with peers of a similar age.

“Cian is sporty,” says Nikky. “And his hobbies include music and dancing.

“In September, Cian will be going into 6th class in Our Lady of Good Counsel. It is a great school and Cian is thriving there. At the school, the classes go by colours defining class ability as opposed to age. It is a different, but a good way of doing things.”

Is Cian, the youngest of the family, the boss of the house?

“His sisters practice tough love!” says Nikky.

“They are both so patient and so caring. Even though they are that bit older, there is no apparent age difference. They all gel together. Cian is an independent chap and is never wrapped in cotton wool.

“Amy and Orla benefited from the sibling support workshops that DSC offer,” says Nikky.

They interacted with their peers of a similar age. The ‘Sibshops’ give the girls a forum to voice their angles on things in a safe environment.

“It is good for them to see that they are not the only ones with a sibling that has Down Syndrome. The Sibshops in DSC Cork are run by Speech and Language Therapists and a Psychotherapist.”

It is a place to forge friendships.

“And like ourselves, Amy and Orla have made great friends in Cork through DSC. My family are in Galway and it is wonderful to have the support of friends when you need it,” says Nikky.

Cian, a determined young man, has his own personality.

“He knows what he wants,” says Nikky.

“He is very confident, and his independence is improving all the time.”

Nikky knew what she wanted when the time was right. She values her independence too.

“I stopped work when Cian was born,” she says. “I went back last year.”

She realised her dream.

“I went to work at the Field of Dreams part-time,” says Nikky.

It took me a while to think about going back to work. I needed the right setting, and the right job for me. 

"I had to be flexible for school holidays and hospital appointments. Working at Field of Dreams keeps me in the loop. It is a win-win situation.”

Nikky has a good attitude.

“I believe everything happens for a reason,” she says. “If you are patient and wait long enough, it will happen for you.”

It was good for her to get back in the routine.

“I 100% missed work,” says Nikky. “I didn’t rush into anything that wasn’t right for me or my family. Working at Field of Dreams is so worthwhile.”

September, 2017, saw the official opening of the ‘Field of Dreams’, which is an adult-based training centre. Horticulture, catering and life skills are taught to the adults who have registered for Phase 1 of the two-year programme, which is supported by the Cork ETB.

This September, Field of Dreams which is supported by the ETB, Department of Agriculture and the Munster Agriculture Society, will have 65 participants taking part in five training courses.

“I am excited to go to work,” says Nikky. “Long may it last!”

She is hoping the Lavender Lunch will be an annual event.

“We’ll make it a fun day,” says Nikky.

“And we’ll focus on ourselves. We’ll put ourselves first for one day, and indulge ourselves a small bit. 

Every mum forgets to do that.

The feelgood factor has a ripple effect.

“I definitely think it has a knock-on effect,” agrees Nikky. “I know the atmosphere at the lunch will be so positive, it is going to be a great girly day out. We are going to spoil ourselves!”

DSC is run by a dedicated parents’ committee. As mothers, they always strive to help their children reach their full potential while encompassing the values of Down Syndrome Ireland, which are inclusivity, passion, integrity, respect and collaboration.

Amanda Cooper, Head of Services, says; “We want to celebrate our amazing mums and we want to do it in a fun way this year.

“This is our first time putting on something like this and there will be music, prizes, and most of all we hope that those who attend the Lavender Lunch have fun on the day - and who knows; it could become a regular thing!”

The Lavender Lunch takes place at the Radisson Hotel Little Island, 1pm-6pm on Sunday, September 17. Tickets are €50 and can be purchased from https://www.eventbrite.ie