Madam, - Tonight, while belatedly ironing my son's "Team 2003" polo shirts, I have been fondly remembering that wonderful week at the end of June when Dublin seemed to be given totally over to the Special Olympics. It was such an amazing time for Ireland, filled with sunshine in our skies and in our hearts when, countrywide, our generosity knew no bounds. Earlier this evening I had telephoned our Host a Family guest from Benin in Africa, to wish him a happy 59th Birthday - one of the many friendships forged as a result of that wonderful event.
I then recalled reading in yesterday's Irish Times (September 23rd), Sylvia Thompson's article about funds for special needs assistants and resource teachers being cut and, as a result, children with special needs being deprived of both academic and social education which they, in common with all children, receive at school.
What has happened in the three months since the Special Olympics? How has everything changed so much? Where has the admiration of, and the respect and support for people with special needs gone?
I am not a particularly political animal but I find myself wondering where are the politicians who were happy to be seen with Special Olympics athletes or at Special Olympics events?
In a country where (I understand) it is being considered to spend €20 million correcting impractical plans for Luas, could not our special needs citizens, the stars of our Olympian event, be provided with what they most need, support and education. -Yours, etc.,
REBECCA McGUINNESS, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14