Pictured at the Acquired Brian Injury cyclothon at the centre in Drinagh are Aideen O’Keeffe, Martin Moran, Sarah Kerr, Shane Berney, Mayor Cllr Frank Staples, Marie Louise Hore, Ann Cosgrave, Geraldine Sinnott, Roisin Fortune, Irene Delaney, Pauline Finnerty. Pic: Jim Campbell

A FERNS woman who was told she’d never walk again after having a tumour removed four years ago was chief among those to organise and take part in a fun cycleathon held at the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABII) Wexford clubhouse recently.

Mayor of Wexford Cllr. Frank Staples was among the over 50 volunteer supporters to put their feet to pedals over the course of 24 hours for the life-changing local cause.

The removal of a tumour between the sensory and motor sides of her brain may have left Róisín Fortune paralysed down the left side, but, as she told this newspaper, “I wasn’t going to listen to that.”

As though spurred on to prove that claim wrong, she has since cycled such famed routes as the Ring of Kerry, the Seán Kelly Cycle and Cycle Against Suicide.

She credits the Wexford clubhouse (located behind the Applegreen Service Station, Drinagh) with having given her the confidence to embrace life once again, having been in a low place immediately following the surgery.

The keen cyclist had an extended stay at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire as part of her recovery, while she also spent time at Beaumont Hospital and at St. John’s, Enniscorthy.

Some time later, while she was back at home, her father encouraged her to visit the ABII centre and investigate all it might have to offer.

While initially unsure, Ms. Fortune quickly realised that she was among new friends at the clubhouse.

“Down here you’re with your own crowd,” she said, describing how facilitators and fellow members alike “really got me going.”

“It’s unbelievable the inspiration I’ve gotten from people down here,” she said.

The Wexford clubhouse officially opened in February 2015 and supports in the region of 30 clients and their carers each month.

Approximately 13,000 people in Ireland each year acquire a brain injury, for a variety of reasons including road traffic accidents, strokes, falls and assaults.

The trauma of brain injury shatters lives across the country.

Founded in 2000, ABII is Ireland’s leading provider of community-based neuro-rehabilitation services for people who have acquired a brain injury.

The organisation enables people between the ages of 18 and 65 with an acquired brain injury to maximize their abilities to live independently.

With the correct assistance in the appropriate environment, the organisation believes that people with an acquired brain injury can live a full life.

Remarkably, ABII’s Wexford clubhouse receives no financial support from the HSE and relies on an annual grant from BNY Mellon and generous fundraising donations from the local community in order to operate.

Demonstrating just how much the centre means to her, Ms. Fortune said, “If I hadn’t got this place here I don’t know where I’d be.”

ABII’s services include community, clinical, day resource and residential services, supporting those with acquired brain injuries and their families through training, advocacy and with practical assistance.

In addition to the day services of the Wexford clubhouse, ABII provides residential rehabilitation to four clients and community rehabilitation support to ten clients in Wexford.

Some nine groups run at the clubhouse each week, catering for the needs and wishes of clients.

To date these have included pottery, woodcarving and cookery workshops, as well as carers’ groups, sign language groups and more.

One-to-one support is also offered to clients, including support and preparation to return to the workplace, CV preparation, support with housing and other social supports.

The groups emphasise the importance of members in the community and provide a social outlet for vulnterable young people who often otherwise find themselves socially excluded.

The clubhouse is a place for people to congregate, to be accepted and to work together towards the common goal of re-integration into the community.

Members have reported many benefits in attending, including: improved social skills, confidence and social inclusion.

For Ms. Fortune, the ways in which membership have impacted upon her have been life-changing.

Read more in the Wexford Echo.