RehabCare has really changed me

'RehabCare has really changed me. It has made a big difference in my life,' the words of Athlone native Aoife Farrell, who was speaking this week about the organisation"s positive influence on her since she first got involved with the service back in 2006. 'Well, in the very beginning I was a very shy person but now I"m not as nervous at all. I think it has brought me out of myself. I was actually on 2FM before in Roscommon talking about Rehabcare,' she commented by way of illustrating how far she has progressed since her initial introduction to the programme. Meeting Aoife it is hard to believe she was ever shy as the bubbly Iona Park resident laughs and jokes throughout our interview, answering all the questions in a thoughtful and confident way. She has been attending the Rehabcare Resource Centre in The Crescent, Athlone for the last three years, an experience she describes as a 'brilliant opportunity', adding that she really enjoyed meeting and hanging out with all the trainees three days a week and taking part in all the activities organised by staff. 'Every single person here is a friend. We play games like snakes and ladders and board games or pool. We also play boccia in Garrycastle, that"s my favourite. I love it because it"s a skill and everyone can sit down and get into it. It"s not a hard game, it"s quite easy, anyone can really join in. It"s brilliant. The name of our team is the Red Devils. Mary Duigan from Westmeath Sports Partnerships helps us to train,' she said. When asked if they are as good as the better-known Red Devils - Manchester United, Aoife jokes: 'Ah, we"re better! We have two teams here in the centre, the Red Devils and Athlone Town so there is plenty of rivalry.' Another big part of Aoife"s life is her work placement in Peak Physique in Athlone Leisureworld on Tuesday and Friday mornings, an opportunity she is very thankful to have. 'I love it. It gets me out again and it gets me out of bed and keeps me moving, only for that I"d be at home. It"s brilliant. I"ve been there four years. I clean the gym and offices. The staff there have been very helpful and Turlough O"Brien has been very good to me,' she enthused. Aside from her work and activities at the centre, Aoife said her other favourite things are shopping and music. 'I work with an outreach worker on a Monday afternoon doing different things like going to the cinema. She helps me with money. Really anything I need help with, she is there for me. We also go shopping. That"s my favourite. I love going down to Golden Island and my favourite shop was Sasha but they are gone now so I have to find another shop to get all my stuff,' she laughed. Recently a group from the centre attended the Songs of Legends concert in Moate along with their outreach worker, an experience she says she thoroughly enjoyed. 'It was very good. I love music and love singing along to the radio. I drive my Dad mad turning the radio up loud. My favourite is Beyonce and I like a bit of Girls Aloud as well,' Aoife smiled. The Iona Park resident is generous in her praise of staff at the RehabCare Centre in The Crescent for all their help, pointing out that the service has made a big difference in her life. She also singled out her father James Farrell for a special word of mention and thanks. 'It has really changed me. I am also part of the NRAC Council. NRAC stands for National RehabCare Advocacy Council. It"s an advocacy group and we speak for all the others in the centre to put their feelings across. There is five of us in the group. We go to meetings in Maynooth. We discuss things that are important to everyone in the centre. I enjoy helping people who need someone to talk for them,' Aoife concluded. RehabCare is the health and social division of the Rehab Group. RehabCare Athlone works in partnership with the HSE disability services to provide a range of high quality person-centred services to approximately 30 people. The resource centre in The Crescent, Athlone provides a variety of programmes and activities that reflects the interests of people who attend. These include personal development, independent living skills, community access, supported work, health related fitness and nutrition, social and leisure activities as well as literacy. RehabCare is supported by the Westmeath Adult Literacy Scheme to provide various programmes that includes computer skills, sewing, literacy and creative writing, while Westmeath Arts Development Service assists the service with music and bog oak sculpture classes.