Around 20% of people in Ireland live with arthritis, a figure expected to rise. In this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey speaks with Tara Regan, Communications and Advocacy Manager at Arthritis Ireland, about the realities of living with arthritis, the wide range of supports available, and why early information, self-management, and connection […]
In this episode of Disability Matters, John Comiskey speaks with Dearbhail Mullan, Treasurer of Williams Syndrome Ireland, alongside her son Ciarán, about living with Williams Syndrome, navigating diagnosis and services, and the vital role of community, advocacy, and support across the lifespan. Williams Syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental condition, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000
Understanding Williams Syndrome: Community, Advocacy, and Looking to the Future Read More »
In this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey sits down with Fiona O’Driscoll, Regional Patient and Service User Engagement Lead for the HSE Dublin & North East. In an insightful conversation, Fiona explains how the HSE is reshaping healthcare by placing patients, service users, carers, and advocacy organisations at the centre of decision-making.
In this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey sits down with Sharon Lane, Chief Executive Officer of Dyspraxia Ireland, for an in-depth conversation about developmental coordination disorder (DCD) — more commonly known as dyspraxia — and the supports available to children, adults, and families across Ireland. Warm, engaging, and deeply informative, Sharon offers
Dyspraxia Awareness: Moving Beyond Labels and Misconceptions – Sharon Lane Read More »
On this week’s programme, Patrick O’Donnell sits down with Angela Clayton-Lee, CEO of Cancer Trials Ireland, the national organisation responsible for coordinating cancer clinical trials across the country. With decades of work behind it — and an urgent call for increased government investment — Cancer Trials Ireland is working to expand access to new treatments
“Improving Cancer Care Through Research” — Angela Clayton-Lee of Cancer Trials Ireland Read More »
On this week’s episode of Disability Matters, John Comiskey sits down with Sinéad Hayes, a Community Officer with Fingal County Council. Although she joined the Community Development Office only four months ago, Sinéad is already deeply involved in county-wide projects and community engagement — including Fingal Inclusion Week. Starting in Community Development Sinéad laughs when
More Than 80 Ways to Get Involved: Sinéad Hayes about Fingal Inclusion Week 2025 Read More »
On this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey speaks with Sinéad Crawley, National Service Manager, and Sara Prodoni, Training & Employment Facilitator, from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABII). They discuss the causes of acquired brain injury, the life-changing impact it can have, and the vital supports ABII provides to survivors and their families.
This week on Disability Matters, John Comiskey speaks with Reinhard Schäler, CEO and founder of the SAOL Foundation, an organisation created out of one family’s determination to change what support looks like for people living with severe acquired brain injury (sABI) in Ireland. A Family Story That Sparked a National Conversation Reinhard’s son, Padraig, had
Shane Rothwell speaks to Disability Matters about the lack of accessible hoists in Irish hotels On this week’s Disability Matters, host John Comiskey spoke with long-time BCIL friend Shane Rothwell, who highlighted a barrier thousands of disabled people in Ireland know too well: the near-total absence of hotel rooms with ceiling hoists. Shane needs a
“A Ceiling Hoist Shouldn’t Be a Luxury”: Shane Calls for Equal Access in Irish Hotels Read More »
In this week’s episode of Disability Matters, host John Comiskey speaks with Kate Gray from Move4Parkinson’s, a unique Irish charity founded by people living with Parkinson’s disease to support others through movement, music, and community. Kate’s connection to the organisation began 14 years ago when her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. “At first, I thought
Finding Hope Through Music: Kate Gray on Living Well with Parkinson’s Read More »
