Father fights to send son to mainstream school
The father of an eight year old boy with cerebral palsy has vowed to fight for his son's right to be educated at his local mainstream school.
Darragh Ryan, from Ennis Road in Limerick has been accepted into John F Kennedy Primary - located just a few minutes from his family's home - but the Government has not yet provided the necessary funding required to make the school wheelchair accessible.
The 8-year-old - who has been diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy and mild epilepsy - is currently in first class at Salesians Junior Infant School, also a mainstream school situated close to Darragh's home.
His parents Sean and Mary now want their son to continue his education at JFK school, which is the local primary school for boys living in their parish.
"We had to withdraw Darragh from the school he's currently in on his first day because when we arrived the proper facilities hadn't been put in place despite the fact the Department had been informed of his special needs in advance.
"It was sorted out in just over a week and Darragh has been attending school there since, but now we find ourselves in the same situation again where we are fighting for out son's right to be educated in the mainstream system at his local school," explained Darragh's father Sean.
"Darragh will be finished in Salesians in June and he has a place in JFK in second class for September but the school still has received no funding to install the necessary facilities for him even though they have written to the Department of Education outlining what is required.
"The principal is fantastic and very supportive but we are running out of time as this work will need to be done during the summer."
Darragh, who is not entirely wheelchair bound, uses a K-walker to move around but needs to use ramps and have special mobility access.
His current school has two ramps, three stair lifts and a disabled toilet. He also has a special needs assistant with him at all times.
At home Darragh's parents have built a 600 square feet extension for their son where he has his own bedroom, bathroom and a physiotherapy area.
