News Index   Sailing Come & Try It Day Irish Disabled Sailing Association Access Sailing Programme ‘Come and Try It Day’ in Kinsale Yacht Club on 8th May 2010 1.00 – 4.00pm. Sailing sessions for all the family. Finger food and presentations in K.Y.C. at 4.oopm. The aim is to get as many children as possible on the water to have fun. Ages 8–18 years. For Health and Safety reasons we would be grateful if you let them know in advance of your attendance and of your needs. Text 089-4331119 or email: kyaccess@yahoo.ie  more»   EDUCATION SUPPORT UCC and CIT are holding an information evening for teachers, special needs assistants, parents and students with disabilities on the role of assistive technologies in empowering access to higher education. It will be held in the Maldron Hotel, Cork on Thursday, February 25, from 7 to 9pm. Contact Carmel Hennessy at 021-4335137 or 087-4163752 or carmel.hennessy@cit.ie  more»   Pathways to Education Ms Carmel Hennessy has generously agreed to give a presentation on assistive technology to our members and friends. The committee have been given this presentation before and and found it to be most helpful. Carmel will guide us through the wide range of computer programmes and assistive technology that can be used by students with DCD.There are so many practical supports available that it is good to be made aware of them. Routes to both UCC and CIT for students with disabilities will also be looked at. The evening will take place on Tuesday 20th April in the Rochestown Park Hotel at 8.00pm. All members and friends are welcome. Teachers and SNAs would also find it an informative evening. There is no charge for the evening but we would be grateful if you could email or text us (087-6563121) so that we have an idea of numbers. Parents of both Primary and Secondary school pupils will find the evening informative. This is not an event for children.  more»   Bag Packing We are delighted to announce that the Association recently made €2172 from a single evening of bag-packing at Marks and Spencers grocery check-outs. The event was the brainchild of one of our members, Ms Catherine Buckley. She organised and oversaw the event. She liaised with the committee but without her efforts this would not have happened. We are very grateful to her. Thank-you Catherine  more»   Fermoy Social Group An exciting new group is being set up in Fermoy Co. Cork. It is primarily a social and support group aimes at the parents of children who have learning difficulties. This is not just for parents whose children have Dyspraxia/DCD but ANY difficulty. The first meeting will be held in The Grand Hotel in Fermoy at 8.00pm on Wednesday 16th September. All are welcome. For more info call Tom on 025-33783 085-1324845 thomasflynn45@hotmail.com  more»   FAI Soccer The FAI soccer for all sessions are gearing up again for autumn and have four sessions in Cork. They welcome all children with coordination difficulties and of all ages.The venue is The Glen Resource Centre as before and the times are Friday afternoons from 4.00pm to 5.00pm. 18th September 2009 16th October 2009 13th November 2009 18th December 2009 any queries to Nick Harrison 086-0472051 or 01-89991539 nick.harrison@fai.ie  more»   Dr Amanda Kirby visits Cork Dr Amanda Kirby of the Dyscovery Centre in Wales is conducting research into the possibility of a genetic link to Dyspraxia/DCD.  more»   FAI Soccer Sessions The FAI are hosting soccer sessions again for children with coordination difficulties and are hoping to meet some of our budding stars again. There will be three sessions on Friday afternoons from 4.00pm till 5.30pm The venue will be The Glen Resource Centre in The Glen, Cork. The dates are 16th January 2009 13th February 2009 13th March 2009 Any further information can be had from Nick Harrison on 086-0472051 or email him on nick.harrison@fai.ie  more»   New Style Meetings The first of our new style monthly meetings will take place in The Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork on Thursday 13th November 2008. It will be an informal meeing in the bar of the hotel and will consist of networking among parents with a view to putting some structure on future monthly meetings. If you have any queries or ideas phone us on 087-6563121, email us at info@dyspraxiadcdcork.ie or simply turn up on the night.  more»   Red F.M. Radio invites us to Fred Claus Red FM, Cork's music driven radio station with the youthful outlook has invited us to be their guests at a screening of 'Fred Claus' in the Gate Cinema on Saturday 29th November 2008. This movie is rated as suitable for all the family and would be a great way for our children to kick off the Christmas season together. To facilitate Red FM who will kindly organise things we need to give them numbers by Thursday October 29th. If you are interested in this great offer then have a look at the details which are up on the Forum page and email us via the contact page with the number of tickets that you require. Siblings are welcome and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Health and safety regulations will mean that there can be no admittance unless we have allocated you a ticket in advance by name. You will recognise the committee by our Santy hats!!!  more»   SENAP Public Meeting SENAP are hosting an evening meeting called 'An Introduction to Dyslexia' in the Parkway Hotel in Dunmanway on Tuesday 30th September  more»   Harry Potter star has Dyspraxia A vigilant Mum emailed us an article taken from The Mail on Sunday of 17th August. The children who live with and cope with Dyspraxia/DCD would surely enjoy knowing that one of their heros faces the same difficulties as them.  more»   FAI Soccer Sessions Thanks to Harry Conway of the Dyspraxia Association of Ireland for keeping us informed of upcoming events. The Football Association of Ireland are hosting soccer sessions in various venues in Munster over the summer. The sessions are free to all children who are living with Dyspraxia/DCD and do not need to be booked in advance. Just turn up on the day. The sessions are for both boys and girls and the coaches will divide the players up depending on numbers. They will be fun sessions and not competitive. Participation is the main focus for the days. Each area has two sessions and the dates are on the July page of our forum.  more»   Chuckies Playzone A fun filled afternoon for our younger members has been organised for 22nd June 2008 in Chuckies Playzone in Doughcloyne Industrial Estate in Wilton, Cork. This playzone is suitable for even the youngest toddler up to a maximum of twelve years old. We will be arriving at two and things should be winding down by about four. The children will have their play session and then have chips and sausages or chicken nuggets afterwards. Chuckies tell us that they will keep all children supplied with drinks thoughtout the session. We will be able to have a private area for ourselves so that the Mums and Dads can chat in peace. The cost for members is only €5 per child and at prices like that you can afford to bring the whole family. As you enter the Playzone you will see committee members in their familiar t-shirts. Please pay the committee for your children so that our treasurer can write out one cheque to Chuckies when we have the total number. Because of strict Health and Safety regulations, Chuckies can only accomodate a certain number of people so we would ask that you email us in advance to let us know how many children are coming and their names. The last thing that we want to happen is for one of our members not to be able to get in and having to disappoint their child or children. To book your place go to the 'contact us' page on this site and click on our email address.  more»   Fun Day 2008 This year's Fun Day is on Saturday May 10th. The day consists of absailing, archery, orienteering and lots more outdoor fun in the Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre. This year we are asking that the parents of the older children do not stay around the centre but rather let the children experience a bit of independence. Children who are happy to travel with the committee can meet at the DCD Unit in St Finbarr's Hospital at one o'clock. The bus will return to the same place for six o'clock. Hopefully the weather will be kind but please pack a bag with rain gear if the day is mixed. There are indoor facilities but hopefully we will not have to use them. If you want to drive your child or children to Kinsale yourself then the charge for the day is €10. If you are using the bus then the cost is €15 per child. There are a limited number of places left. If you would like to book a place email us using the 'contact us' facility on the site or phone us on 087-6563121  more»   New Waiting List Initiative at DCD Unit, St. Finbarr's Hospital The committee of the association were very alarmed by the details of a new waiting list initiative that came to light on 14th February. We have been in touch with the HSE about it but are sad to report that there appears that there will be no change in the new policy, at least in the forseeable future. If this should change we will inform you immediately. The details of the initiative are quite shocking and are as follows. Children who are currently on the waiting list who are in possession of in-date Psychology and Occupational Therapy assessments, which they have sourced outside of the unit, will be leap-frogged to the front of the waiting list and brought in for diagnosis ahead of any other children on the list. This is irrespective of how long these, or the other children, have been waiting on the list. When all of these children have been seen then children who are in possession of an in-date Occupational Therapy assessment will be brought to the front of the queue, given an appointment for a Psychological assessment and then fast-tracked into diagnosis. The third set of 'priority' children will be those who have an in-date Psychology assessment from a private Psychologist. These children will be given quicker access to an Occupational Therapy assessment and again, will be diagnosed as quickly as possible. We understand that most of the OT intervention will now be offered in group settings which will not help the children who need one to one or those with sensory integration difficulties. These measures will obviously reduce the look of the waiting list to the lay-man's eyes but it is wide open to the possibility of children who are near the top of the list now, having waited patiently for perhaps two years, to be passed over. The children who will be passed over are those whose parents either do not have the financial ability to commission private assessments or who have made the moral choice of not going down the private medicine road. This new initiative is not acceptable to the association and we would ask that as many members as possible write to express their feelings to the HSE. You can post letters to either the association or to the HSE directly. You can email a complaint to yoursay@hse.ie or you can pick up a complaint form at any Health Centre, service area or HSE office. You can email us and we will send you a complaint form or we will forward a paper copy of your email to the HSE, whichever you would like. Please use the forum or email to speak to us or each other about this as it will have far-reaching effects on many affected families. Contact details: Ms Aileen O'Neill, General Manager, HSE South, Aras Sláinte, Wilton Road, Cork. Mr Jim Wall, Commjunity Care Administrator, North Lee PCCC, Floor 4, Abbeycourt House, Georges Quay, Cork. Mr Marc Tonkin, Community Occupational Therapy Manager, St Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork. Mr Mattias Van Damme, Senior Psychologist, Child, Adolescent & Family Psychology , Adj. Blackpool Shopping Centre, Blackpool, Cork.  more»   Why is my child awkward? - DCD explained The association is holding a public meeting in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork on 31st January 2008. We are very lucky to have Ms Elaine Kelly, the Clinical Psychologist from the DCD Unit in St Finbarr's hospital and Ms Erin Riley, an Occupational Therapist from the Early Intervention Service to give presentations. They will be exploring the implications of a diagnosis of DCD at a practical level, both at home and in school. This promises to be a very educational and interesting night...one not to be missed. The evening starts at 7.30pm sharp. Admission is free but numbers will have to be dictated by room size. So that we can avoid any disapointments we ask that you reserve your seat in advance. Phone or text to 087-6563121 or email info@dyspraxiadcdcork.ie  more»   Gene Study The Association has been in contact with Dr Amanda Kirby of The Dyscovery Centre. She is about to embark on a research study to identify the genes that contribute to DCD/Dyspraxia. Dr Kirby is looking for families who would be interested in contributing to this research and we are happy to post up details. Dr Kirby is a highly respected professional and is the author of two very practical books. See our reccommended reading on page 17 of 'Tips for Teens and Teachers' on our resource page for details. Click more for details  more»   Comhghairdeas The committee of the Dyspraxia/DCD Association are really delighted to let everybody know that our favourite medical secretary, Siobhán O'Sullivan is getting married. Siobhán is the first person that most people meet when they go to the DCD Unit in St Finbarr's Hospital in Cork. She is cheerful and helpful at all times and is always able to reassure parents and children alike. She has been waiting for her knight in shining armour to come along for a while now but her wait is over. Siobhán and her beau, Phil, have set the date after a whirlwind romance and will marry in August 2008. We all wish them both a long and happy life together.  more»   Whispy Sun Drama Camp The Association have organised a drama camp for the children of members. Children with Dyspraxia/DCD and their brothers and sisters can enjoy themselves for two hours on a Saturday afternoon in the Blackrock Hurling Club Hall. The camp starts on November 3rd and runs from 2.00pm to 4.00pm for six weeks. The Whispy Sun team aim to develop children's imaginations,use drama as an outlet for self-expression,increase children's social awareness, allow them to work as a group and to improve physical coordination and fitness. All this while having great fun! We expect to keep the cost at no more than €60 per child but numbers will decide. We have no limit on numbers as the camp can bring in extra staff as needed. To book a place you need to send a deposit of €30 to 19 Templevale, Ballintemple, Cork with your childs name and age. We will provide juice and a bar so we need to also know if your child is allowed this or if we need to shop for any special requirements. We will have plenty of bottles of water available too. If you need any further information give us a call on 087-6563121  more»   Thanks The association has received a Thank You card from Miriam Brennan. Miriam has been a friend to the association since she first met two parents who gave a talk to her class of occupational therapy students while they were studying paediatrics. Miriam climed Caurrantoohill with us and attends most meetings.  more»   Family Fun Day A great day out was had by all who ventured to Kinsale on Saturday 26th May.In all, 40 children and their parents took part in absailing, archery, orienteering, water games and the 'zip line' among other activities. The weather was kind to us and the children got to run around eating hot dogs and goodies without a drop of rain falling. Each child who participated on the day was presented with a medal at the end of the fun. Some of the brave parents who enjoyed the zip line wanted medals too. Our chairman spent his day in the kitchen cooking sausages......  more»   Book of the Month The Department of Education and Science has a Special Education Support Service that has a website which is used as a tool by teachers in the area. Every month they feature a recent publication on their home page. This is the book that they are reccommending for that month. Our new booklet 'Tips for Teens and Teachers' will feature for the month of May. If you are interested, or know somebody else who is, go to www.sess.ie and scroll down the right hand side of the homepage.  more»   Tips for Teens and Teachers The official launch of 'Tips for Teens and Teachers' and our website was held in the Clarion Hotel in Cork on 20th April 2007. The launch was performed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mr Micheál Martin TD. The function was attended by key HSE and Department of Education and Science personnel. This coming together of Government Departments shows the growing committment on both sides to the child, adolescent and young adult who lives with DCD. Minister Martin made particular reference to the need for parents, support organisations and schools to encourage and assist students through their education. We hope that 'Tips for Teens and Teachers' will help them along their way.  more»   Website launch The website was launched at the same function as Tips for Teens and Teachers. It will bring the association to global level and people will be free to chat to others at any time  more»   The Young People The teenagers of Ireland that we spoke with in the consultitive process of 'Tips for Teens and Teachers' were wonderful. They spoke of their strengths and soft spots and the challenges within the school system. They were the experts that we needed when it came to deciding what would be relevant to teens in the booklet.The 'face' of the teenagers is actually 21 years of age and currently in her third year of study to become an occupational therapist.  more»   WELCOME We are live !! Welcome to the Dyspraxia/DCD Association Cork Website.This is another huge milestone for the Association. Make good use of it, especially the Forum Section - this is a useful tool for those who need help/advice at a difficult time , the more of us that use it the better, it will benefit us and our kids. It is important to note that your e-mail address will not appear on the site when you post a message or a query. All incoming messages are moderated before they go up on the Forum page  more»   Dyspraxia / DCD Open Meeting An open meeting, held on Oct.14th, welcomed revised guidelines for schools in relation to completion of application forms for reasonable accommodations ...  more»   Dyspraxia/DCD Association goes bonkers! On Saturday May 14th 2005 the Dyspraxia/DCD Association went bonkers! Bonkers are a Munster based group of mountaineers, hill-walkers, cyclists and canoeists who hosted a fundraising cycle and climb ...  more»   Bonkers Group Donation 22nd June 2005 the Bonkers Group presented us with a Cheque for E12.029 at the Beamish & Crawford hospitality room ...  more»   Art Workshops The children in the association took part in a series of art workshops during the summer of 2005 ...  more»   Motorola Sponsored Walk The members of the Motorola Sports and Social Club raised monies for two charities through a sponsored walk ...  more»   Practical Tips for Parents Launch The "Practical Tips for Parents" booklet was launched by the Minister for Health & Children in the DCD Unit in November 2003 ...  more»   Living with DCD Seminar A day-long seminar 'Living with DCD' was attended by 170 people on 28th August 2004 ...  more»