Interviews Disability Matters

Disability Matters is a weekly radio programme from Blanchardstown Center for Independent Living, airing every Thursday on Phoenix 92.5FM. In our interviews, Patrick O’Donnell and John Comiskey speak with activists, experts, and people with lived experience on a wide range of disability-related topics — from healthcare and education to employment, access, and inclusion. These conversations amplify real voices, share practical insights, and highlight the issues that matter to the disability community in Ireland today.

“It’s Not Just About Bread and Pasta”: Coeliac Disease – support and awareness with Sarah Keogh

When most people think of coeliac disease, they often associate it with stomach aches and avoiding bread. But in reality, this autoimmune condition is far more complex – and for many, it remains undiagnosed for years, quietly affecting multiple systems in the body. In this episode of Disability Matters, we speak to Sarah Keogh, Consultant […]

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A woman stands behind a table covered with brochures and pens at an MS Ireland information booth. A banner reads "MS Ireland, Western Regional Office."

Living with Multiple Sclerosis: Insights from MS Nurse Sorcha Barlow

At Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living (BCIL), we continue our commitment to amplifying voices and sharing resources that support people with disabilities in Ireland. This month, we spoke with Sorcha Barlow, MS Support and Education Nurse at Multiple Sclerosis Ireland, about the realities of living with MS and the services available to support people across

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A group of three people sit in a radio studio with microphones. Two women are smiling, and a man looks content. Banners behind display "92.5 Phoenix FM."

Empowering Inclusion in Physical Education: A Conversation with DCU’s Susan Marron and Frances Murphy

Inclusion has become a central theme in education, and nowhere is this more evident than in the efforts of Dr. Frances Murphy and Susan Marron from the School of Arts Education and Movement at Dublin City University’s Institute of Education. In their conversation with Disability Matters, the two educators shared how their work in physical

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“You Have a Choice Every Day”: The Story of Máirín Ní Bheacháin

When Máirín Ní Bheacháin stepped onto the TEDx stage for the first time, she wasn’t simply delivering a talk. She was defying every fear, limitation, and obstacle that once stood in her way. As a personal stylist, entrepreneur, and volunteer, her message —rooted in lived experience — is about confidence, resilience, and choosing to live

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Two people in a virtual meeting. The left person is in a room with windows behind, while the right person wears headphones with a Phoenix FM banner.

You matter until the end of your life: Dr. Una Molloy on the Role and Importance of Palliative Care

In this Disability Matters episode, Patrick O’Donnell and John Comiskey speak with Dr. Una Molloy, a Advanced Nurse Practitioner in palliative medicine and representative of the Irish Association for Palliative Care (IAPC). Dr. Molloy offered deep insight into what palliative care truly means and the vital role it plays in supporting people with life-limiting illnesses.

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“No Excuses, Just Possibilities”: Rob O’Byrne Brings Inclusive Fitness to Life

In a recent episode of Disability Matters, Patrick O’Donnell spoke with Rob O’Byrne —fitness coach, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusive physical education. Rob’s journey, marked by resilience and innovation, began with a life-changing accident at 17 and has since evolved into a mission to redefine accessibility in sport and wellbeing. At 17, while on holiday,

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“From Gamekeeper to Poacher”: Gerry Maguire on Leading SBHI and Championing Independent Living

In this episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey sat down with Gerry Maguire, the CEO of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI), for a wide-ranging discussion about the realities of living with these conditions, the work of the organisation, and the urgent need for both societal change and state support. Gerry, who has lived

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 “Mobility, safety, and freedom,” — John Mitchell about Impact of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

This week on Disability Matters, 12 June 2025, Patrick O’Donnell spoke with John Mitchell, a dedicated volunteer with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, about the organisation’s life-changing work and the powerful bond between people and their guide dogs. Founded in 1976, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind supports individuals with visual impairments and children

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Empowering Lives Through Inclusion: Walk Ireland on Advocacy, Employment and the Arts

In this Disability Matters episode, John Comiskey welcomed two special guests from Walk Ireland: Vanessa Martin, Human Rights and Participation Practice Developer (HRPPD), and Brendan Heade, actor and long-time participant in Walk’s inclusive community programmes. Founded in 1967, Walk Ireland is an organisation committed to empowering people with intellectual disabilities to live self-determined lives in

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Patrick O'Donnell and John Comiskey speak with Eamonn McPartlin

FND Ireland: Eamonn McPartlin on Advocacy, Diagnosis, and Support

In this Disability Matters episode, Patrick O’Donnell and John Comiskey speak with Eamonn McPartlin, founder and Chairperson of FND Ireland. They discuss functional neurological disorder — an often misunderstood and underdiagnosed neurological condition. Eamonn, who lives with the motor form of FND himself, explained that the disorder affects how the brain and body send and

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