TV3?s ?Irish Lives? follows three people with Down syndrome as they strive for independence.

TV3 GROUP RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: Tuesday 22nd April, 2014.

 

 

TV3’s ‘Irish Lives’ follows three people with Down syndrome as they strive for independence.

 

The second and final part of TV3’s eye-opening documentary series ‘Irish Lives’ tells the story of three people with Down syndrome and how they overcome hurdles.

 

 ‘My Extra Chromosome & Me’ follows Laura, Maeve and Joe, along with their families and friends, as they try to find employment, further themselves through education and strive for independence.

 

Interviews available on request.

 

Video link available on request.

 

‘Irish Lives: My Extra Chromosome & Me’ airs tomorrow (Wednesday 23rd) April at 9pm on TV3.

 

TV3 will air the second and final part of the documentary series Irish Lives tomorrow night (Wednesday 23rd April) at 9pm. My Extra Chromosome & Me tells the story of three people with Down syndrome and how they overcome hurdles, strive for greater independence, and take part in extraordinary events.

 

A baby with Down syndrome can be born to any family, to parents of any age, race, religion or social background. It is a chromosomal anomaly, caused by an error in cell division and there is no definitive answer to why it occurs. Each and every person with Down syndrome has their own unique personality, strengths and weaknesses like everyone else. Irish Lives: My Extra Chromosome & Me follows Laura, Maeve and Joe, along with their families and friends as they go about their everyday lives. At its heart, it is the story of a variety of different people who have so much to share about how they see the world.

 

Irene Walsh from Galway gave birth to her daughter Maeve six years ago and felt that how she was told that Maeve had Down syndrome was insensitive. When Maeve was born, she was taken away immediately and a number of people entered the room. Irene became nervous as she was aware this does not normally happen but it was only when she heard the words ‘Trisomy 21’ mentioned from a Registrar that she knew Maeve had Down syndrome.

 

“It was like a bolt out of the blue. Yeah it was certainly something that I had never experienced before. You go into shock, I think I probably just went into shock and said ‘what is that?’ I remember looking across the room and thinking ‘I haven’t had my baby yet, I want to have her, you know to hold her’ but unfortunately the same Registrar started to list all of the issues with Down syndrome, the speech issues, the feeding issues. Unfortunately she gave me a whole menu of problems that are associated with Down syndrome. So look then after that she just disappeared out the door and in how a message is delivered and how you’re told the news, takes an element of recovery.”

 

Apart from her struggling with Sleep apnea, a disorder that affects her breathing while she sleeps, Maeve loves life like every other little girl. Her motto is ‘I’ll do it myself’ which her parents think will serve her well in life. She turns six during the programme and celebrates her birthday with all of her friends. Maeve also takes the bus to school for the first time which is a huge step for both her and her parents.

 

46-year-old Joe Feehily from Dublin lived with his father for most of his life but Joe is now living independently in Cheeverstown Community House. Through the help of his work coach Yvonne Butler, Joe presents his own radio show on West Dublin Access Radio and also holds downs a job in Griffith College.

 

Yvonne believes that Joe is more than capable and he is determined to keep his independence.

 

“Joe will tell you, it’s not his disability; it’s his ability to hold down a relationship, it’s his ability to have friends and it’s his ability to have a job. Joe would never look at his disability; he always looks at his ability. Joe just loves being independent. Joe loves the idea of getting out there and he’s a great communicator. He’s great with people, he’s a real people person and it’s great to see him interact with members of the community.

 

“This has added a great quality to Joe’s life. I mean Joe had a great life, Joe had a terrific life but Joe had everything done for him, where now Joe is doing everything for Joe.”

 

It is not just Yvonne who sings his praises, Joe is also very proud of himself.

 

“A job like this means a good bit yeah. You get a bit of wage, I can’t of course mention that on air at the moment but it’s a bit of a wage and a good job. This will prove to them as it proves to me that everybody can go out and get a job, get a wage and become an independent person.”

 

Liam Ahern, father to keen gymnast Laura, is both excited and nervous at the thought of his 14-year-old daughter making her first trip abroad without her parents to take part in a Gymnastics competition in the UK.

 

“If you had asked the two of us [Liam and wife Rena] all those year ago, 14 years ago when she was born, at 14 would she be going off to a gymnastics competition in England, it would have been the furthest thought from our minds.

 

“Sometimes it’s probably more hard for the parents about the whole idea of letting go. You’ll have your worries but this is a huge step up for us now that she’s doing this you know and please God she’ll do other things as well. This is the start really you know.”

 

 

‘Irish Lives: My Extra Chromosome & Me’ airs tomorrow (Wednesday 23rd) April at 9pm on TV3.

 

Catch part one ‘Irish Lives: My Transgender Journey’ here.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editor:

 

Irish Lives

 

TV3’s brand new documentary series Irish Lives delves into the world of extraordinary Irish people with real stories to tell from their own personal experiences.

 

Part one, My Transgender Journey, follows three people, as they search for a sense of their own identity in Ireland, a country that is the only EU member state not providing a legal mechanism for recognition of transgender persons. Part two, My Extra Chromosome & Me, tells the story of three people with Down syndrome and their families, as they overcome hurdles and take part in extraordinary events.

 

Episode 1 “My Transgender Journey”: 16th April 2014

 

All of us struggle with who we are sometimes but this is harder for some than it is for others. Generally we take our gender and identity for granted but what if we didn’t fit into the male or female labels we were assigned at birth? TV3’s Irish Lives: My Transgender Journey tells the story of three people, as they search for a sense of their own identity, strive for acceptance and continue to battle against their own government to be recognised in their true gender as Ireland is the only EU member state that does not provide a legal mechanism for recognition of transgender persons.

 

Sam, Louise and Kay give an up-close and personal account of their transgender journeys and what it is like to live in a country that does not fully accept them. UCD student Sam made the transition from female to male with the full support of his family but he still has further barriers to cross. Louise also shares her story as the first transgender worker in Ireland to successfully use the Employment Equality Act in a case of discrimination on the grounds of gender. Kay gives an open and honest account of her pending surgery, as well as her struggle to change her name and gender on her American passport.

 

Episode 2 “My Extra Chromosome & Me” 23rd April 2014

 

A baby with Down syndrome can be born to any family, to parents of any age, race, religion or social background. It is a chromosomal anomaly, caused by an error in cell division and there is no definitive answer to why it occurs.  Each and every person with Down syndrome has their own unique personality, strengths and weaknesses like everyone else. Irish Lives: My Extra Chromosome & Me tells the story of three people with Down syndrome and their families, as they overcome hurdles, strive for greater independence, and take part in extraordinary events.   

 

Irish Lives: My Extra Chromosome & Me follows Laura, Maeve and Joe, along with their families and friends, as they try to find employment, further themselves through education and strive for independence. At its heart, it is the story of a variety of different people who have so much to share about how they see the world.

 

Keen gymnast Laura, 14, makes her first trip abroad without her parents to take part in a Gymnastics competition, while Maeve celebrates her sixth birthday and takes the bus to school for the first time. 46-year-old Joe presents his weekly show on local radio and cooks a meal for his housemates.

 

 

 

For further information
Ciara Byrne – Press Officer – 01 419 3329/087 319 9732

Jean O’Donovan – Press & Publicity Assistant – 01 419 3428

Sharon McHugh – Head of Press & Publicity – 087 922 4143

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www.tv3.ie

 

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