Meet Una

“Hi I’m Una, I am a self-advocate. I also live independently.

Here is a little bit about me.

I have done a lot of talks in Trinity College on promoting Down syndrome and on Mental Health.

I also did a course with Trinity on contemporary living.

I have two jobs. I work in Musgraves. I have worked there for 20 years. I work there on Wednesdays and Fridays. I work in the canteen.

I also work in Campion Insurance. I have been there for 8 years. I work there on Mondays. I do admin work in Campion. I do tax returns, filing, posting, and laminating.

I love both of my jobs.

I am an advocate on the National Advisory Council in Down Syndrome Ireland. We call it the NAC for short. (You can learn more about the NAC here.)

I am the PRO on the NAC. We are the voice of people with Down syndrome.

We give our input to Down Syndrome Ireland on different topics. We discuss things like transport, mental health, cost of living, and independence. We work on projects to improve things for people with Down syndrome.

I have been living independently for a year now. I love it. I couldn’t believe it when I got the keys!

I like the freedom to go out and travel by myself, not having to get lifts off anyone. I had to learn a lot of new skills when I began living independently – the biggest challenge is changing the bed sheets!!

It is great to have the independence to cook and meet friends and do what I want to do!

If people with Down syndrome want to live independently, I want them to never give up hope. It took me a while, it wasn’t easy.

Now I am living independently and I am so happy.

I hope that everyone with Down syndrome lives their life to the fullest. I do and I feel so fulfilled now that I have reached my goal of living independently!”