BOOK TAKES READERS BEYOND DISABILITIES
Book takes readers beyond disabilities
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
Omagh's Claire Gallagher provides one of many inspirational stories
A PHENOMENAL book which chronicles the courageous journeys of many remarkable Irish people who overcame their disabilities to achieve greater things, including our very own Claire Gallagher, has just been published.
"Able Lives" - A celebration of the abilities and achievements of people with disabilities " is a truly inspirational read and pinpoints the lives of over a dozen ordinary men and women before their lives changed dramatically.
The book is also accompanied by a wonderful CD, featuring amongst others, Phil Coulter and Claire, who was blinded in the Omagh bomb. Claire recorded Beethoven's, 'Moonlight Sonata' and both she and Phil gave their permission for the author to also use 'Carrickfergus' which appears on Phil's Tranquillity Gold CD.
The writer, Fiona Murdoch, from Dublin, has brought together a unique snapshot of those remarkable people who are outstanding for their achievements, not just their disability.
Fiona firmly believes that everyone who read Able Lives will come way with a gratitude for their abilities, a determination to live life to the full and the inspiration to follow their dreams.
"But, more than that, I hope readers will be encouraged to see beyond the labels that we so often attach to people. For we need to give up on the antiquated notion that disability means inability.
"Let's hope that in years to come, we will look back on 2003 as the start of a new era, the year when Irish society began to look at people with disabilities in a new way."
Each chapter in the unique collection, and there are 17 chapters, features a person with a disability and focuses on his/her abilities, talents and achievements. A touching and personal attribution is the inclusion of a photograph of each of the contributors to the book.
The story of Claire Gallagher, who played the piano in the White House seven months after she was blinded in the Omagh bomb, features in the early chapters of the book.
It begins "The 15th of August 1998 began much like any other Saturday for Omagh teenager, Claire Gallagher. Her best friend, Hanora, had stayed over on the Friday night and the pair headed into town on Saturday morning to meet friends for lunch and to browse around the shops."
Claire was only 15 at the time and could never have realised she would never see again after being caught up in the bomb.
The story moves from hospital into Claire's courageous fight to adapt to life in darkness, returning to school and sitting her GCSE exams and later her A levels. She subsequently secured a place at Queens University Belfast to study music.
The book also reveals there is nothing Claire enjoys doing more that playing the piano and following the loss of her sight 'music was to prove a godsend.'
Claire, now aged 20, recalls a humorous but touching little moment back in hospital when she was overtaken by a sudden urge to play her keyboard. Her parents had brought it in a few days after the bomb.
"The keyboard had been there all week, but I hadn't bothered touching it. It was half-eleven at night when I sat up in bed playing "The Town I Loved so Well", which I'd learnt about six months before. Mum and Dad were listening and there were all crying. At one point a nurse said, "Right Claire, are you ready for your medicine now? and I said, "Hold on a minute, I'm on a roll!".
The book also recounts her historic performances at the White House on St Patrick's Day with Phil Coulter and again at the Rose of Tralee Festival.
It tells how Claire later came to the attention of The Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. It awarded her a scholarship to study with Maeve Smith, who was already experienced in teaching blind and visually impaired people.
Five years after August 15 1998 events remain clearly imprinted on Claire's mind.
According to the book, she often has nightmares when she relives what happened or she dreams about being caught up in a similar situation.
But throughout she has managed to maintain her great sense of humour and jokes about the fact she will always remember her friends as 15 and they will never grow old.
Wrapping up, Claire says these days she tries to remember what's important in life her family, friends and boyfriend, Ryan.
"I've got my priorities straightened out now," she says. 'I know that material things don't really matter. The most important thing is happiness.'
The excellent 160 page book is published by Veritas Publications and retails at 15.95 euros. It is available in most good bookshops and can also be ordered via Veritas' website, which is www.veritas.ie.
All proceeds from the book will go to the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Aisling Foundation and the Camphill Community Celtic Lyre Orchestra.
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY
Omagh's Claire Gallagher provides one of many inspirational stories
A PHENOMENAL book which chronicles the courageous journeys of many remarkable Irish people who overcame their disabilities to achieve greater things, including our very own Claire Gallagher, has just been published.
"Able Lives" - A celebration of the abilities and achievements of people with disabilities " is a truly inspirational read and pinpoints the lives of over a dozen ordinary men and women before their lives changed dramatically.
The book is also accompanied by a wonderful CD, featuring amongst others, Phil Coulter and Claire, who was blinded in the Omagh bomb. Claire recorded Beethoven's, 'Moonlight Sonata' and both she and Phil gave their permission for the author to also use 'Carrickfergus' which appears on Phil's Tranquillity Gold CD.
The writer, Fiona Murdoch, from Dublin, has brought together a unique snapshot of those remarkable people who are outstanding for their achievements, not just their disability.
Fiona firmly believes that everyone who read Able Lives will come way with a gratitude for their abilities, a determination to live life to the full and the inspiration to follow their dreams.
"But, more than that, I hope readers will be encouraged to see beyond the labels that we so often attach to people. For we need to give up on the antiquated notion that disability means inability.
"Let's hope that in years to come, we will look back on 2003 as the start of a new era, the year when Irish society began to look at people with disabilities in a new way."
Each chapter in the unique collection, and there are 17 chapters, features a person with a disability and focuses on his/her abilities, talents and achievements. A touching and personal attribution is the inclusion of a photograph of each of the contributors to the book.
The story of Claire Gallagher, who played the piano in the White House seven months after she was blinded in the Omagh bomb, features in the early chapters of the book.
It begins "The 15th of August 1998 began much like any other Saturday for Omagh teenager, Claire Gallagher. Her best friend, Hanora, had stayed over on the Friday night and the pair headed into town on Saturday morning to meet friends for lunch and to browse around the shops."
Claire was only 15 at the time and could never have realised she would never see again after being caught up in the bomb.
The story moves from hospital into Claire's courageous fight to adapt to life in darkness, returning to school and sitting her GCSE exams and later her A levels. She subsequently secured a place at Queens University Belfast to study music.
The book also reveals there is nothing Claire enjoys doing more that playing the piano and following the loss of her sight 'music was to prove a godsend.'
Claire, now aged 20, recalls a humorous but touching little moment back in hospital when she was overtaken by a sudden urge to play her keyboard. Her parents had brought it in a few days after the bomb.
"The keyboard had been there all week, but I hadn't bothered touching it. It was half-eleven at night when I sat up in bed playing "The Town I Loved so Well", which I'd learnt about six months before. Mum and Dad were listening and there were all crying. At one point a nurse said, "Right Claire, are you ready for your medicine now? and I said, "Hold on a minute, I'm on a roll!".
The book also recounts her historic performances at the White House on St Patrick's Day with Phil Coulter and again at the Rose of Tralee Festival.
It tells how Claire later came to the attention of The Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. It awarded her a scholarship to study with Maeve Smith, who was already experienced in teaching blind and visually impaired people.
Five years after August 15 1998 events remain clearly imprinted on Claire's mind.
According to the book, she often has nightmares when she relives what happened or she dreams about being caught up in a similar situation.
But throughout she has managed to maintain her great sense of humour and jokes about the fact she will always remember her friends as 15 and they will never grow old.
Wrapping up, Claire says these days she tries to remember what's important in life her family, friends and boyfriend, Ryan.
"I've got my priorities straightened out now," she says. 'I know that material things don't really matter. The most important thing is happiness.'
The excellent 160 page book is published by Veritas Publications and retails at 15.95 euros. It is available in most good bookshops and can also be ordered via Veritas' website, which is www.veritas.ie.
All proceeds from the book will go to the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Aisling Foundation and the Camphill Community Celtic Lyre Orchestra.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1625
Published Date: 18-Dec-03
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