TYRONE'S PEOPLE OF COURAGE RECEIVE AWARDS
Tyrone's 'People of Courage' receive awards for coping with adversity
BRAVE Tyrone people, many of whom were disabled by the Omagh bombing, were honoured at the William Keown Trust awards in Belfast recently.
Drumquin girl, Shauna Skelton, was presented with the Cyril E Stevenson and Sons Cup in the 'Children of Courage' category, in recognition of her selflessness in the aftermath of the Market Street atrocity, which claimed the life of her mother, Philomena.
"An awful lot of people were injured by the bomb, so it was nice to have been picked for this award. It is probably the only thing I have ever won," Shauna said.
The 14-year-old daughter of Kevin Skelton, of McCrea Park, suffered a broken jaw, and had to have her teeth wired, with the result that she could not eat for six weeks.
Despite this hardship, the teenager returned to Loreto Grammar School after the holidays and has just completed her fourth year.
"I went back to school on the first day of term for half-an-hour just to get my timetable and see my friends. Now I'm back full time, and whatever I missed when I was in hospital I copied up again. The school didn't put me under any pressure at all," she said.
And Shauna proved to be an inspiration to her family as they prepared for the annual visit of a Romanian child to their home a tradition that was established by Mrs Skelton in 1997. Shauna described the 12-year-old orphan, Andreea Cozac, as a "wee dote".
Nikki Marlow, of Newtownsaville Road, Eskra, also suffered serious injuries as a result of the Omagh bombing in which her sister, Jolene, died. She spent seven weeks in hospital, missing her sister's funeral.
The 16-year-old had lacerations on her body and lost all power in her right arm, although it is slowly returning with the help of physiotherapy.
She received tutoring at home from the end of January onwards, and went back to St Ciaran's Secondary School, Ballygawley, in February, although she has not yet been able to complete a full week because of frequent hospital appointments.
Despite this, the teenager completed her fifth year and managed to sit three GCSEs in English, Maths and Home Economics.
Inspired
Nikki was inspired by the medical staff who helped her to recover, and said her ambition was to become an occupational therapist.
"It's not something I would have been interested in before, so I think it must have been as a result of what I have been through," she said.
She was presented with a certificate of merit in the adult category from the William Keown Trust.
The main Adult Achiever award was presented to Pauline Green, of Carnony Road, Knockmoyle, Omagh, who lost a leg as a result of the bombing.
The inspirational 19-year-old spent four months in hospital and, despite the prospect of further surgery, is facing the future with courage.
"I'm altered, I've adjusted and I'm alive," she said.
Her positive attitude and optimistic personality made Pauline a worthy winner of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Cup.
Meanwhile, Mrs Joyce Crozer, of Ecclesville Way, Fintona, received a certificate of merit in the adult award category for her resilience in the face of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Mrs Crozier was a trained nurse who spent many years in the nursing profession before she developed the debilitating condition. She is now confined to a wheelchair but continues to fundraise for MS whenever she can.
The same award went to David Braden, of Omagh Road, Drumquin, who has also had MS for a number of years. He has retained his outgoing, jovial character, and is an enthusiastic member of the local MS club and is also involved with the Local Community Relations Benevolent Fund.
A special certificate in the Tesco Carers category went to Mrs Esther Millar, of Donaghamie Road, Omagh. Mrs Millar cares for her husband, who uses a wheel-chair as a result of a sporting accident.
A number of local youngsters were named as 'Children of Courage' by the William Keown Trust.
Christopher Gilmour, of Kevlin Grove, Omagh, who suffers from leukaemia, received a special certificate of merit.
Despite undergoing severe treatments for his condition, Christopher has obtained a swimming certificate and his ambitions are to grow taller and to drive a tractor.
Other certificates of merit in the Children of Courage category were awarded to Alistair Hall, Ross McKnight and Laura Quinn.
Alistair, of Lissan View, Omagh, lost part of a leg as a result of the Market Street bombing. He has since been described as a great source of strength by his family and friends.
Ross, who lives at Deverney Road, Omagh, received a certificate for his ability to cope with diabetes for the past eight years.
Determination
And six-year-old Laura, of Shandon Park, Omagh, who was born with Cerebal Palsy, received a certificate for her determination to lead as normal a life as possible. She enjoys swimming and has joined her local Girl Guides group.
Two Strabane youngsters who have striven to overcome their disabilities were also named as 'Children of Courage'.
Stephen Coyle, from Lisnafin Park, who was injured by the Omagh bombing, and Tanya Glenn, from Greeves Park, who suffers from a rare condition known as Shwachman Syndrome, received certificates of merit.
The William Keown Trust awards have been running for 20 years, and have been extremely successful in highlighting the challenges facing people with disabilities and the way they have conquered their challenges.
At the awards ceremony, Mr William Keown, founder, described the value of the work undertaken by the Trust.
"Around 202,000 adults and 15,000 children in Northern Ireland have some form of disability. These figures include 30,000 wheelchair users throughout the Province," he said.
"Our aim is to communicate that disability does not mean inability. That is why we work tirelessly for the involvement and the access of people with disabilities in the community."
And Mrs Mary McCracken, awards director, emphasised the work of those who care for people with disabilities.
"It is always heartwarming to hear how encouraged parents feel when their son or daughter is nominated for the Children of Courage award, The presentation ceremony is always a very moving experience for those people and everyone else who attends," she said.
BRAVE Tyrone people, many of whom were disabled by the Omagh bombing, were honoured at the William Keown Trust awards in Belfast recently.
Drumquin girl, Shauna Skelton, was presented with the Cyril E Stevenson and Sons Cup in the 'Children of Courage' category, in recognition of her selflessness in the aftermath of the Market Street atrocity, which claimed the life of her mother, Philomena.
"An awful lot of people were injured by the bomb, so it was nice to have been picked for this award. It is probably the only thing I have ever won," Shauna said.
The 14-year-old daughter of Kevin Skelton, of McCrea Park, suffered a broken jaw, and had to have her teeth wired, with the result that she could not eat for six weeks.
Despite this hardship, the teenager returned to Loreto Grammar School after the holidays and has just completed her fourth year.
"I went back to school on the first day of term for half-an-hour just to get my timetable and see my friends. Now I'm back full time, and whatever I missed when I was in hospital I copied up again. The school didn't put me under any pressure at all," she said.
And Shauna proved to be an inspiration to her family as they prepared for the annual visit of a Romanian child to their home a tradition that was established by Mrs Skelton in 1997. Shauna described the 12-year-old orphan, Andreea Cozac, as a "wee dote".
Nikki Marlow, of Newtownsaville Road, Eskra, also suffered serious injuries as a result of the Omagh bombing in which her sister, Jolene, died. She spent seven weeks in hospital, missing her sister's funeral.
The 16-year-old had lacerations on her body and lost all power in her right arm, although it is slowly returning with the help of physiotherapy.
She received tutoring at home from the end of January onwards, and went back to St Ciaran's Secondary School, Ballygawley, in February, although she has not yet been able to complete a full week because of frequent hospital appointments.
Despite this, the teenager completed her fifth year and managed to sit three GCSEs in English, Maths and Home Economics.
Inspired
Nikki was inspired by the medical staff who helped her to recover, and said her ambition was to become an occupational therapist.
"It's not something I would have been interested in before, so I think it must have been as a result of what I have been through," she said.
She was presented with a certificate of merit in the adult category from the William Keown Trust.
The main Adult Achiever award was presented to Pauline Green, of Carnony Road, Knockmoyle, Omagh, who lost a leg as a result of the bombing.
The inspirational 19-year-old spent four months in hospital and, despite the prospect of further surgery, is facing the future with courage.
"I'm altered, I've adjusted and I'm alive," she said.
Her positive attitude and optimistic personality made Pauline a worthy winner of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Cup.
Meanwhile, Mrs Joyce Crozer, of Ecclesville Way, Fintona, received a certificate of merit in the adult award category for her resilience in the face of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Mrs Crozier was a trained nurse who spent many years in the nursing profession before she developed the debilitating condition. She is now confined to a wheelchair but continues to fundraise for MS whenever she can.
The same award went to David Braden, of Omagh Road, Drumquin, who has also had MS for a number of years. He has retained his outgoing, jovial character, and is an enthusiastic member of the local MS club and is also involved with the Local Community Relations Benevolent Fund.
A special certificate in the Tesco Carers category went to Mrs Esther Millar, of Donaghamie Road, Omagh. Mrs Millar cares for her husband, who uses a wheel-chair as a result of a sporting accident.
A number of local youngsters were named as 'Children of Courage' by the William Keown Trust.
Christopher Gilmour, of Kevlin Grove, Omagh, who suffers from leukaemia, received a special certificate of merit.
Despite undergoing severe treatments for his condition, Christopher has obtained a swimming certificate and his ambitions are to grow taller and to drive a tractor.
Other certificates of merit in the Children of Courage category were awarded to Alistair Hall, Ross McKnight and Laura Quinn.
Alistair, of Lissan View, Omagh, lost part of a leg as a result of the Market Street bombing. He has since been described as a great source of strength by his family and friends.
Ross, who lives at Deverney Road, Omagh, received a certificate for his ability to cope with diabetes for the past eight years.
Determination
And six-year-old Laura, of Shandon Park, Omagh, who was born with Cerebal Palsy, received a certificate for her determination to lead as normal a life as possible. She enjoys swimming and has joined her local Girl Guides group.
Two Strabane youngsters who have striven to overcome their disabilities were also named as 'Children of Courage'.
Stephen Coyle, from Lisnafin Park, who was injured by the Omagh bombing, and Tanya Glenn, from Greeves Park, who suffers from a rare condition known as Shwachman Syndrome, received certificates of merit.
The William Keown Trust awards have been running for 20 years, and have been extremely successful in highlighting the challenges facing people with disabilities and the way they have conquered their challenges.
At the awards ceremony, Mr William Keown, founder, described the value of the work undertaken by the Trust.
"Around 202,000 adults and 15,000 children in Northern Ireland have some form of disability. These figures include 30,000 wheelchair users throughout the Province," he said.
"Our aim is to communicate that disability does not mean inability. That is why we work tirelessly for the involvement and the access of people with disabilities in the community."
And Mrs Mary McCracken, awards director, emphasised the work of those who care for people with disabilities.
"It is always heartwarming to hear how encouraged parents feel when their son or daughter is nominated for the Children of Courage award, The presentation ceremony is always a very moving experience for those people and everyone else who attends," she said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1373
Published Date: 22-Jul-99
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