People with Disabilities in Ireland
4th Floor Jervis House
Jervis Street
Dublin 1
Telephone: 01 87 21 74 4
Fax: 01 87 21 77 1
Email: info@pwdi.ie
The National Winner of ‘Someone Like Me’ Primary Schools Essay Competition for the National Information Day on Disability 2004, organised by the Dept. of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, was Rachel Kelly (12), Monasteroris National School, Co. Offaly.
Her poem was as follows:
My name is Stephanie, And I am 12 years old, I’m different from the others, Well, so I’m told.
I don’t think I’m different, from any other kid, I have feelings too, you know. So why do you want rid?
Just because I’m in a wheelchair, Doesn’t mean I’m weird It really hurts my feelings, That’s what my mother feared.
Why do people stop and stare, When I go into town? I’m not some sort of alien, Or a silly clown.
When I go to school each day, There are some bullies there, But all my friends stick up for me, Because they really care.
My teachers give me more attention, That, I just can’t stand, I want to be treated normally, Like everyone on this land.
When I see children picked on in school, It really makes me sad, Because I’m the only one who knows, It’s ten times worse than bad.
People thought I was helpless, But one day I proved them wrong, I raced in the Special Olympics, Five hundred metres long.
As I crossed the finish line, Mum’s face lit up with glee, So always remember to never tease, Someone like me.
11-year old Aiden Nulty from Crubany National School was the Cavan winner in the competition. He received €200 in art supplies, book, audio and video vouchers and the school got €2,000 of computer and audio visual equipment.
Aiden is a good friend and neighbour of Denis Jameson, Chairperson of Cavan PwDI Network and Josephine Jameson, Cavan Network National Board member.
The booklet with all the county winners has been sent to all PwDI Networks.
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