Liam Ahern -
My name is Liam Ahern – I’m married to Rena and Dad to Laura who is 19 years old and has Down syndrome. As a family we have been involved in Down Syndrome Ireland since shortly after she was born. She attended mainstream primary school and Scoil Bernadette Special school for her second level education.
Laura is currently with COPE foundation as part of their post primary DORAS programme.
Both Laura and I have recently given presentations to speech and language students in University College Cork (UCC) and childcare students in Cork College of Commerce on raising the awareness around the capabilities of our children with Down syndrome.
We are also as a family involved in Special Olympics and travelled with Laura to the World Games in Los Angeles in 2015.
In terms of work, I started teaching in 1977 initially as a PE teacher and later became a resource teacher. As a resource teacher, I taught in a special class for a number of years. In the late 90’s, I moved to Glanmire Community College and set up the resource department there.
In 2001 became principal of a school co-patroned by the Cork VEC and the HSE. This was for 12/18 year olds under the care of the HSE.
From 2003 to 2011, I was principal of a second level school with 700 students in a disadvantaged area of Cork.
During the latter stages, I was elected to the Cork County VEC as the parent nominee and was there when it changed over to the Cork ETB.
Between 2013 and the present, I set up two new Community National Schools (under ETB) patronage and currently chair both BoMs.
This year, I had the opportunity to speak to student teachers in Thurles/ MIC on the topic of inclusivity which is very close to all our hearts.
Outside of work, in 2012 I was a volunteer coordinator of services for Down Syndrome Ireland’s Cork branch where I was involved in setting up a number of initiatives.
I have been involved in DSI Cork for many years and have been a committee member up to the present I have also acted as Parentlink volunteer.
In 2012, I became a volunteer Education Officer for the Cork branch. This involves in most cases visiting schools, meeting parents and setting up talks on various topics related to schools both primary and secondary. Much of the work has also involved taking telephone queries from parents and schools. I have also given talks to teachers in other counties.
I have been involved since the beginning with our Field of Dreams (FoD) project and I am currently helping to oversee how the education programme develops in the FoD in tandem with my role as President and Education Officer with DSI Cork.
I have had a keen interest in the area of disability long before my daughter Laura was born. I volunteered as a PE teacher in the local school for deaf children and learned Irish Sign Language
In 1988 I travelled as carer with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust which initially took Children to Lourdes but has now evolved into the area of respite. I am now involved for the past 31 years in various roles, Group Leader, DLP, Board of Trustees (National Vice Chairperson) and am currently Safeguarding Officer.
I developed The Trusts Safeguarding Policy in 2015 and am also a Safeguarding Trainer. This role ends in May 2019.
In my spare time I am a keen cyclist and participated in the Tour de Munster as well as six 900 km charity fundraising cycles through France.
