Ireland's first ever Care and Mobility Show which will take place in the RDS on 13th and 14th June was launched today by Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older people, Kathleen Lynch, show ambassador and Irish paralympic gold medallist swimmer Darragh McDonald, Antrim Rose Jean Daly and Vicki Casserly Naughton, carer.
The show, which will be a major highlight of this year's National Carers Week (June 9th to 15th) is aimed at the almost 600,000 people in Ireland today with a disability, 240,000 of whom have difficulty with basic physical activities. The 400,000 plus carers, 350,000 of which are unpaid will also be catered for in terms of products and services to aid them in their role of caring for their loved ones.
Over 100 exhibitors from Ireland and the UK showcase their products and services while a number of healthcare seminars will also be held on topics Acquired Brain Injury, Alzheimer’s, Cerebral Palsy, Dementia, Huntington’s, Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson’s, Arthritis and stroke rehabilitation. A further key attraction will be professional one day CPD training courses for occupational therapists and physiotherapists delivered by internationally renowned physical therapist Sharon Pratt.
Speaking of the event, Adam Lingard organiser and director of MedCare Events said, "We are delighted to bring the Care and Mobility Show to the RDS. The show is all about promoting independent living and showing people that there are aids out there to help them live very full lives. We are looking forward to welcoming over 8,000 people to the RDS over the weekend while also raising money for our chosen charity Caring for the Carers."
Also speaking at the launch, Minister Kathleen Lynch said, "The Care and Mobility Show is about proving that living with disability does not and should not mean living a less fulfilled life. Disability does not have a target age group and the show will exhibit the broad range of products, services and facilities that are available to both young and old. Too often we associate needing help with a weakness when in fact it is through getting help that people can actually become more independent."
Darragh McDonald, Irish Paralympic Gold medallist also speaking at the launch said, "I am delighted to be working as ambassador to the Care and Mobility Show. Too often when people think of disability they think of barriers and negative words like can't, but this show will prove that living with a disability does not mean you can't live a very full life. It will prove that in many cases there are ways around things and that help is available in terms of advice and products and services. I am proof that you can definitely fulfil your dreams and go on to achieve what many may think is impossible. Life should be lived to the full and the Care and Mobility Show will show people how this can be done."
Tickets for the show are available at careandmobility.ie for €5 with €1 from the sale of each ticket going to Caring for Carers, a charitable organisation that supports over 160,000 family carers throughout Ireland.
