Volunteer of the Year 2008
It is safe to say that without volunteers, the Diabetes Federation would not be where it is today and the Federation had no shortage of nominations for its 2008 Volunteer of the Year award, showing that in the area of diabetes there are still plenty of people who want to help others.
The 2008 award was given to Charlotte Pearson, a committed member of the Cork branch. Charlotte became involved with the branch 10 years ago, when her then five-year-old daughter developed type 1 diabetes. The initial diagnosis was in 1998 and in 1999, Charlotte attended a Federation branch meeting. It needed volunteers and she put herself forward, feeling that she could get support in this way. She has been heavily involved with the branch and its parents support group since then and is currently chairperson on the support group.
Charlotte believes that she won Volunteer of the Year because of her advocacy work with the parents’ support group. When she first started with the group, there was one part-time nurse for the 170 children attending the children’s diabetes clinic at Cork University Hospital. In response to this, the group decided to hold a public meeting for parents. "We decided to hold a protest and after that first protest, we were given another part-time nurse” she says. The group then decided to make the protest an annual event. Today, the children’s diabetes clinic has three part-time nurses and a full-time dietician. However, Charlotte points out that there are now 300 children on the books, therefore while there are more staff, there are more children so the pressure on services is still immense.
With so many children affected in the Cork area, it is not surprising that the parents support group is kept busy. The group arranges activities throughout the year, including a Christmas party; a teddy bear’s picnic for children under 8; and an adventure weekend for 8-16 year olds. They also organise a weekend away for the entire family as well as workshops aimed at educating and supporting those affected.
Charlotte emphasises that the group does not give medical advice. “We just listen to parents, reassure them and let them know that this diagnosis is not the end of the world and others have been through what they are going through”
Having been nominated for Volunteer of the year before, Charlotte admits “I didn’t think I’d win it. I didn’t even think I was in the running. I was overwhelmed and delighted to have won. The support from everyone in the Cork branch has been fantastic, but I have to say you get back 10 times more than what you give”
Aileen Horgan
This was echoed by Charlotte’s colleague, Aileen Horgan, who was also nominated for Volunteer of the Year. Aileen was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 29 years ago and has been involved with the Cork branch for the last 28 years. “I have been a committee member in some shape or form since 1981. I was delighted to be nominated as I honestly feel that the Cork branch does so much work for the people in the area. But on a personal note, I have developed some great friendships over the years and this is due to the Federation” she says.
Tony Casey
Overall the south of the country figured heavily in the Volunteer of the Year awards, with Tony Casey of Tipperary and Deirdre Bowers of Wexford also being nominated. Tony was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes some 30 years ago. He has been a committed member of the Federation for many years and was instrumental in setting up the Thurles branch where he has acted as chairperson and secretary over the years. While the Thursles branch is not very active at present, people with diabetes related problems regularly ring him for advice and a friendly listening ear.
Deirdre Bowers
Moving across to the South East, Deirdre Bowers was nominated because of her dedication to her job as paediatric diabetes nurse specialist nurse at Wexford General Hospital and her commitment to the Federation over the years. She founded the local Federation branch back in 1992 and has been its chairperson since then. Despite being a busy mother, she gives freely of her time and energy for children, teenagers and families in the region. She is a regular visitor to schools in the area, where she raises awareness of diabetes and assists teachers who may have a pupil with the condition.
Danny Mc Daid
Another nominee was Danny McDaid from Letterkenny. Danny became involved with the Federation when he found himself in the unusual position of having two daughters diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1991. He became chairperson of the Donegal branch in the mid-1990s for a nine-year period and is now chairperson again. He describes the Donegal branch as a “good working branch” which is heavily involved in fundraising for the Federation and organising public meetings. The branch also has a strong lobbying arm and according to Danny “it is constantly on our agenda to lobby politicians and local hospitals for better services” “One of the biggest disappointments for me is that we have been lobbying for a consultant endocrinologist but this still hasn’t happened”. Nevertheless, Danny is kept busy as he is heaving involved with the annual family weekend, something he initiated some 10-15 years ago. “The weekend is for all the family and we arrange to have relevant speakers at it. We also subsidise it” he explains. Danny says he was very happy to be nominated. “it’s approval of what you’re been doing” he says.
Eric McNulty
Finally the Volunteer of the Year awards provided the perfect opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication of one teenager who has worked tirelessly to raise funds for the Federation. Eric McNulty was given a special merit award to acknowledge his hard work in recent years. Now aged 18, Eric was 14 when he discovered he developed type 1 diabetes. According to his father, Barry, he set about raising money from day one. “The first Christmas after he was diagnosed, he went swimming in the Irish sea to raise money. He raised more than €700 that first year and has since made it an annual event. He also organises a barbecue every summer in Rathdrum in Wicklow” Barry explains. While Eric was thrilled with his special merit award, his dad admits that his son is very laid back and “We as his parents were probably more excited and were absolutely thrilled for him”.
APP/KOL/AC 01-04-2009
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