Sir, - This year is Irish Wheelchair Association's (IWA) 40th Anniversary. The Association was founded in 1960 by a small group of people who used wheelchairs.
Thankfully, some of these founder members are still with us but unfortunately others have passed on. As part of our anniversary celebrations we want to complete a book on the history of IWA and also on the various people, issues, successes and failures over those 40 years.
There is no doubt but that the living conditions of people with physical disability have improved dramatically over the years. So much still needs to be done, but we must remember from where we came - otherwise we can not know where we are going!
I am appealing for any stories, photos, anecdotes or interesting experiences that any of your readers may have. Obviously, it should relate to Irish Wheelchair Association or developments in the physical disability world. There are numerous experiences out there about transport, access, housing etc., that will make interesting reading. Those thoughts, however trivial they may seem, will help to frame the story, trials and tribulations of IWA over those 40 amazing years. - Yours, etc.,
Seamus Thompson, Chief Executive, IWA, Aras Chuchulain, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3.