As a disabled person I would say do what you are comfortable with and set your own goals for how you want to live an independent life. - Róisín Lenehan

Róisín Lenehan is a disabled advocate from Co Mayo. She was born with anoridia and glaucoma so she went from having a small amount of vision in her right eye to now being classed as blind.  Róisín recently joined us in the DFI offices to take part in our new video series on life with a disability in Ireland and she shares here experience of her journey from Mayo to Dublin and back as well as all the bits inbetween:

I got up at 6.45am and got dressed. I decided the night before what I was wearing so it was a quick change. I can never eat early in the morning, so I skipped breakfast at home and headed off to the train station in Claremorris. I relied on a lift from my Mum to get to the station.

I went inside to the train station to let the staff know I was there as they would be the ones to help me on the train and into my seat. Thankfully I have never missed a train from my local station as the staff always make sure I am in my seat in plenty of time.

It's a direct train to Dublin which took two and a half hours. The direct train means I had no concerns about changing on the way.

I had breakfast on the train. To pass the time I listened to music.

When I arrived to Heuston I was met by Irish Rail staff and they brought me to the information desk. I made sure to text them at home to let them know I had arrived and was safely off the train. Piece from DFI met me at the station as pre-arranged. I had made sure that we had each other’s contact numbers in case there was any delay on either side.

From Heuston we took the short journey by car to the DFI HQ near St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.

Upon arrival there were some refreshments and a chance to meet all the other advocates and DFI staff members. There was also an opportunity to hear the full details of what the morning would involve. It would mean us doing some group chat work which was videoed and then heading into the DFI Podcast Studio for a one to one interview with Brenda from DFI and the videographer Liam.

We all discussed the questions as a group before going into the studio to record. I did not have any nerves as I had done video already in DFI and I had also completed a four-week media training course with DFI in November 2023.

When it was my turn, I was guided into the studio and had the microphone, lights and camera positioned. Liam talked me through what he was doing with lights and wires just so there would be no silence or nerves.

Brenda asked the questions and they covered me and my disability, my interests and hobbies, my wishes and dreams and also the things I would like to see improved to make the world a more accessible place for me.

I also shared the things I would like people who do not have a disability to know about what it’s like to have a disability where I am unable to see what is in front of me.

I spoke about the problems with ATMs not having an audio system so that people who are blind or vision impaired can use them independently. Let’s face it, your personal finances should stay personal and not have to be shared. There were things like that raised but you will have to wait to watch the video to find out what else I said.

After my video I relaxed and had lunch in DFI.

Then it was time for me to get ready to go home to Mayo so Pierce from DFI made the journey with me back to the customer service desk in Heuston where staff were alerted to the fact that I was there, the train I was going home on and that I would require assistance onto the train.

I was assisted onto the train by Irish rail staff. It was a lot busier on the return journey and that may have been because there were less carriages than in the morning. On the homeward journey I listed to music and just relaxed.

When I arrived in Claremorris Station Staton the Irish Rail staff came and helped me off the train and walked me down the platform to where my Mum was waiting for me.

From there we got in the car and drove home.

Thinking back about the day in DFI, I really enjoyed meeting other people. I met two other people in DFI that have sight loss and I had never met them before. It was nice to share common issues that arise for us. It was also nice to meet up with some of the advocates I had completed the media training course with.  

I like being independent and not always having to reply on family to come with me. Being able to do that journey with the help of the Irish Rail staff is really important to me as otherwise I would not be able to travel without their help.

I was happy with the day and how the interview went. I wasn’t tired but I had a nice hot chocolate when I got home which is a favourite drink of mine and chilled for the rest of the evening.

For me as a disabled person I would say, do what you are comfortable with, never feel pressurised to answer a question in an interview that you are not comfortable with and set your own goals for how you want to live an independent life.

ENDS