A FETHARD-ON-SEA-based mother who shared her story of caring for her disabled daughter on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show and in the Irish Times in recent weeks has railed against ‘official Ireland’ for ignoring the tide of comments which emerged in response to her media appearances.

Johanne Powell, originally from Norway, spoke of how she and husband Alan began seeking a place in residential care for daughter Siobhán (32) over three years ago and have had no success to date.

There are just 158 beds available for residential care in County Wexford and over 60 names on a waiting list for those places when they arise, she explained.

Ms. Powell has described her boredom and frustration with providing round-the-clock care for her adult child who has a rare chromosomal disorder, profound mental disabilities, cannot walk or eat solid food, is doubly incontinent and only has one kidney.

‘I’m not doing this job by choice,’ she said some weeks ago of caring for Siobhán, in an emotive appeal for support.

‘I don’t want to do it any more. I’m bored… she’s not special. She’s damaged goods.’

Ms. Powell spoke of how she had envisaged having a child who might, by now, have completed university studies and have children of their own.

Now aged in her thirties, her daughter, she said, however, still ought to have a level of independence and a life of her own apart from her parents.

“As far as we know there are no plans for an expansion of the services, so 61 people have to die to clear the list,” the exasperated mother told the Echo.

Ms. Powell’s bold statements prompted other carers around the country to share their stories, fears and frustrations in national media, however, the Fethard-on-Sea-based mother said she has yet to hear any signs of hope from those in power.

Since her media appearances a number of weeks ago, she said “we have heard exactly nothing from politicians, government or HSE.

“Why we are being ignored, I don’t know, but I suspect it has to do with the quiet and unannounced hope that our loved ones will die before us,” she said.

Read more in the Wexford Echo.