*Ann Marie Flanagan and Jacqui Browne. Photograph: Tom Micks
A NEW book co-produced by the Clare Leader Forum has delved into the dark reality of neglect, abuse and deprivation of liberty faced by disabled people in Ireland.
Launched as part of Ennis Book Club Festival to a crowd of over 100 people in The Temple Gate Hotel, ‘We Are Human Too’ is edited by Ennistymon woman Ann Marie Flanagan and is co-produced by Clare Leader Forum. It’s a testament to the activists who challenged limiting attitudes and fought for emancipation, independent living, and human rights.
Addressing the crowd, Ann Marie admitted she was “nervous and so emotional, it is both an honour and profound privilege to be before you all, all my comrades and people who made it happen”.
She said, “the journey to this moment has been nothing short of extraordinary, it is testament to the collective commitment”. ‘We Are Human Too’ is divided into three sections focusing on key periods and themes.
Ann Marie was critical of politicians during her address. “The hidden discrimination we have to live with every day is shocking and we have to do something about it”. She added, “TDs and Senators don’t actually give a damn, they just take the script”.
Newmarket-on-Fergus native Martin Tobin read aloud a poem during the launch which touched on cruel revolutions.
Sarah Clancy of the Clare PPN remarked of the Clare Leader Forum, “there is not a group of people that I’ve learned more from in my life”.
Disability equality activist Jacqui Browne described it as “a day to be proud of, you can see by the crowd that it is wonderful”. She has been campaigning for disability rights for nearly thirty five years, “my eyes were opened and I found my own place with people campaigning for disability rights”.
According to Jacqui there is an ever growing number of disabled persons organisations (DPOs) in Ireland. “We need DPOs at every level, our role is to keep reminding the State of their obligation to engage and collaborate with us forever more, remind them of the opportunities for change which must be implemented. Such changes must include empowering and building capacity for people with disabilities”.
She added, “these rights are not privileges, they are the birth right of each and every individual regardless of our abilities or disabilities”. Jacquie said disabled people today are still denied the right to education and employment.
Davy Fitzgerald, the two-time All-Ireland winning Clare goalkeeper in 1995 and 1997 also addressed the launch. “In life we take things granted for too much at times, we don’t tend to remember there’s people in society who should play a bigger part in society, the work gone in but this group of people who are incredible”. He added, “For a lot of years, things have been ignored and people have been ignored”.
‘We Are Human Too’ was described by Davy as “a ground-breaking publication”. The Sixmilebridge man said he had “immense joy and a sense of honour” that Co Clare was launching such a book. “We’re falling short when it comes to supporting disabled people, it is your time to get off the bench and come on the field,” he stated.
A clear path in society where every child and adult is afforded an equal opportunity must become visible, Fitzgerald added. “Access to education, employment and sport should be a universal right not a privilege”. He continued, “people often ask me about my passionate approach on the sidelines, my belief in the game and the players is what fuels me, We Are Human Too embodies this spirit”. Davy concluded, “your lesson is a determination to us all, now is our turn, everyday citizens and elected reps to ensure our county is accessible to us all”.
