Woman a 'prisoner in her own home’

An Athlone resident who was left wheelchair-bound after a medical procedure told the Westmeath Independent this week that she is virtually a prisoner in her own home as she is unable to get transport in Athlone to accommodate her power wheelchair. Margaret McHale also said she is limited in where she can go due to several footpaths in the town being inaccessable to her wheelchair. In a bid to improve her quality of life a fundraiser has been organised for this Saturday night to raise money for a vehicle which can provide transport for her. The poster for the fundraiser states that the event is “in aid of a wheelchair accessible vehicle for Margaret McHale.” But, according to Margaret, it’s about more than just that. It’s about attempting to secure a measure of independence for the Court Devenish resident who became severely disabled three years ago after receiving medical treatment for a vein abnormality in her head. Originally from Mayo, Margaret has been living in Athlone for the last decade. She is the partner of local man David Dolan, who is the uncle of Westmeath and Garrycastle gaelic football stars Dessie and Gary Dolan. The fundraiser on her behalf, which takes place in The Bounty this Saturday night, was made necessary by events which, Margaret said, “turned my life upside down.” She worked a bookmaking chain until persistent headaches forced her to seek treatment in 2007. She was diagnosed with AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) which is a malformation of small veins in her head. Following one procedure she ended up in a coma for a month or so. “When I woke up I had no feeling in the left side of my body and it was one of the hardest things I have had to deal with in my life. “For nearly a year I hoped that the feeling would come back into my arm and leg but it was not to be. When this happened I completely lost my dignity,” she explained. “I now require help to get me out of bed and to have a shower. I also need help to get back to bed again, and all of this is so hard for me. I used to love to do things for myself, now I rely on other people just to survive. “I would spend hours in the garden with my dogs and going for walks - all this is gone now and I don’t know if I’ll ever get this life back. I am a very independent lady and now just want to try and build a new life with some dignity.” She stated that she received great assistance from the council, which helped to adapt her home, and also from the Irish Wheelchair Association, the nurses and carers who look after her, and “most of all” her partner David. However, one difficulty which has not been overcome is the lack of transport in Athlone to accommodate Margaret’s power wheelchair. She stated that the town’s wheelchair-accessible taxis can’t be used for this purpose. “I have to get a wheelchair taxi to come from elsewhere, which costs a lot of money we don’t have. I don’t understand why this is so in a town as big as Athlone. There has to be other people with the same problem and who are virtually prisoners in their own home. “I hope that somebody can see that this is not right and something should be done to sort out this very serious problem.” She also stated that footpaths in several parts of Athlone are inaccessible for wheelchair users and therefore limit where she is able to go. “All of these are things people take for granted and I took them for granted before this happened. I never expected that something like this would happen to me. But I’d like to be able to go shopping, go to the supermarket, and get a sense of independence back again,” she concluded. * The fundraiser to help improve Margaret’s quality of life takes place at The Bounty this Saturday at 9pm. Music will be provided by The Chicks & Friends, and there will be light refreshments, a raffle and spot prizes on the night. A ticket to the event costs €10.