Westmeath CIL marks 25 years to honour all PAs

The committee who run the Westmeath Centre for Independent Living (CIL) decided to have a celebration of its 25th anniversary to honour the work of the personal assistants (PAs) who are at the core of all it does.

The event was at Bloomfield House Hotel on Friday May 16, and a large crowd gathered for it.

Pat McLoughlin, chairperson, told the Westmeath Examiner about it. “Our personal assistants and the people they provide the assistance to definitely deserve a celebration because they’ve done Trojan work over the past 25 years,” he said.

Pointing out that some members of the current crew have been there since the beginning, Pat paid tribute to them, the rest of the current team and those that worked with Westmeath CIL over the years.

“We have a terrific team of personal assistants from all over the county because we deal with people all over the county. They give up their time and they really join in with the family. It’s more than that – it gives the person with the disability the independence they deserve and, it also gives the family some free time that they can move about and without having to look over their shoulder.

“It’s a terrific facility,” said Pat. “It was set up originally by a great friend of mine, an inspirational friend, Michael Cannon (RIP).

“Michael was born and reared in Kinnegad and that’s where the centre is based. Michael suffered a severe stroke that left him almost totally disabled, and he was just an inspirational character.

“He heard of the Centre for Independent Living in County Offaly, and he learned as much as he could about it, and he called a meeting in St Finian’s Hall – which has now disappeared. There was a good turnout and he set up a committee that same night, from his wheelchair.”

Pat said that Michael chose a team to serve the new CIL “so that’s how I ended up being chairman”.

Michael established the centre, and later on Mary Mooney joined the crew and “developed it and continued to develop it – she is a tremendous administrator”.

Pat says there is a family atmosphere at the CIL, which he finds that helps: “It’s definitely the most satisfying committee you could ever be on. You’re giving people back their dignity, they’re not being locked away, they’re in society where they should be, and it’s just so satisfying.”

Pat has been chairperson for most of the 25 years – the first five, then Aidan Murphy (RIP) took over, also for five years, and again since then.

About Westmeath CIL

Westmeath Centre For Independent Living Ltd is a voluntary organisation for persons with physical and or sensory disabilities.

It seeks to empower and enable people with disabilities to enhance their quality of life, to achieve independent living and to participate in social and economic life.

In late 1999 FAS granted aided a Community Employment scheme for 15 participants. Those men and women, known as personal assistants, were recruited and training began for their leaders throughout the country. Leader applications exceeded expectations and it was obvious the service needed expansion.

In early 2000 the Midlands Health Board, now HSE, through the regional Disability Service office in Tullamore, sanctioned funding adequate for a further nine personal assistants.

Further fundraising and lobbying activities were undertaken by Westmeath CIL.

Westmeath CIL provides personal assistant services to 70 leaders and further needs are continually applying.

It liaises constantly with neighbouring counties and the disability stakeholders and networks in this region and further afield.

It also promotes positive images and perceptions of people with disabilities.

It has supported people in tangible ways such as returning to education and training and in accessing employment, and in intangible ways such as encouragement and companionship and the confidence to live a more independent life.