Athlone celebrates 50 years of wheelchair association

"I don't know what I'd do without it. Only for the centre I'd be lost and I'm sure I speak for all the members when I say that," the words of local woman Mary Gaynor this week, as she summed up her feelings towards the work of the Athlone branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) during celebrations of the organisation's 50th anniversary in Ireland. The Batteries resident has a unique perspective on the organisation, which works with people with disabilities, firstly as a volunteer and committee member in the town for over two decades and, then in more recent years after a knee replacement surgery as a member and service user herself. She told the Westmeath Independent she's seen the IWA's work from all sides locally and can't heap enough praise on the supervisors, workers, members and all associated with the group in Athlone, who are now based in the fabulous new Resource and Outreach Centre in Clonbrusk. But it was all quite different when Mary first got involved 21 years ago as a volunteer not long after losing her husband. Her friend had asked her to come along to help out on an annual outing that the IWA organised for local people with disabilities in Kerry. "When I got involved we had nothing, we had no centre,s" she recalled. "Facilities were non-existent then, now we're in the lap of luxury in comparison." "Eventually, we got a room in St Mary's that we could take the members for a day a week and we were able to bring them on outings. Then we got a bit further on and we were able to buy a bus. We begged, borrowed and stole for it," she joked this week of the constant fundraising work of the voluntary group and committee undertook down through the years. The group were also based for some years in St Kieran's Community Centre and, while Mary said the branch were very thankful for all those who helped out with the use of premises, their dream was always to have a permanent place of their own. "We were always fighting for a centre of our own. It was a hard slog but we finally got in the end," the bubbly Batteries resident explained. Then nearly five years ago, Mary got a new appreciation of the services provided by the IWA in Athlone as she become a member herself after knee replacement surgery. She now attends the Clonbrusk centre two days a week with up to 40 others with disabilities from Athlone and surrounding areas, an experience she can't speak highly enough of. "I think it's terrific the way we are looked after. It's really out of this world," she enthused of the facilities and the subjects like art, drama and games they get involved at the facility, things Mary said she most likely would never have had a chance to try without it. "I've had a great life with the group. I have not regretted one minute of the last 21 years," Mary added. "I can't praise the supervisors and bosses enough. They are outstanding, they're like ourselves, no airs or graces at all," she said, paying particular tribute to Monica Hughes and Hugh Farrell and to the local committee which bring members to Wales every year for a week-long holiday. Last Thursday, all associated with Athlone IWA gathered for a special celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of organisation in Ireland with a tea party and entertainment. All of the services needs volunteers to keep them going though, and one thing Mary Gaynor said she'd love to see is more people getting involved in the work of the IWA in Athlone, an experience that has resulted in her having friends all over the country. "That's where I started and I don't know where I would be without it. I've made wonderful friends. I'd love to see more voluntary members," Mary concluded as she looked forward to an upcoming drama competition between IWA groups in the Midlands later this week.