Brave battler opens new election office

A young Galway boy who has battled serious illness since his premature birth was in the spotlight this week as he officially unveiled an election candidate’s new campaign base.

Tomás McLoughlin, who has cerebral palsy following a series of harrowing complications at birth, opened Senator Fidelma Healy Eames’ new office in Oranmore as she launched her election campaign.

“I was honoured to have young Tomás McLoughlin of ‘Tomorrow for Tomás’ charity open my new Campaign office in Oranmore,” said the Senator

“Young Tomás is a champion for children with disabilities and their needs,” she added.

Tomás, from Roscam, lost his identical twin brother Seán at just 30 days of age, while he was left with no independent movement.

His parents Ann-Marie Duggan, from Renmore, and Shane McLoughlin – from Ballinasloe and originally Castlerea – have set up a campaign called ‘Tomorrow for Tomás’, where they hope to raise funds for his care, as well as costly equipment.

And Senator Healy Eames said that their situation was so common among too many families caring for children with special needs.

“We are still waiting for the full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs. It is unbelievable twelve years on that this Act has not yet been fully implemented, which means needs of persons with disabilities are not met as a matter of right.

“All children with disabilities deserve to have their needs met as a matter of right and not as a result of having to fight for everything they need on a piecemeal basis.

“Our goal as an Equal Opportunity Society must be to enable all persons with disabilities to have a level playing field and as far as possible to live independently. This is a human rights issue,” she said.