Natalie Van Hattem with Amber and Jade Donovan at the Kerry launch of ‘Here I Am’ on Saturday in the Manor West Retail Park. Photo by Dermot Crean
SATURDAY was a suitable day for the Kerry launch of a new book containing 90 photos of children with Down Syndrome.
March 21 was World Down Syndrome Day and there was a great turnout at the Manor West Retail Park for the event, where some of the photos from ‘Here I Am’ were mounted for exhibit in the main foyer.
There were stands set up to sell the book with Kerry Garda Chief Superintendent, Pat O’Sullivan, also present to help launch it.
Continued below…
Ronan Redican, Chairman of Down Syndrome Kerry spoke to TraleeToday.ie about the book.
“The book has been three years in the making. Photographer, Dan Murphy got the idea after seeing something similar in Holland. He brought the idea to Down Syndrome Ireland and we were delighted to get involved,” said Ronan.
“We have some of the photos on display here and the idea is that it will travel around to schools, hospitals, libraries etc. The idea of the ‘I Am’ in the title is very important. It’s ‘I am a child’, ‘I am a brother’, ‘I am a sister’, ‘I am full of life’. When some people pass a child with Down Syndrome they are curious and they stare. That can make parents or siblings of the child upset.
Barra, Eve and Clodagh Culloty with Aine Lambe at the Kerry launch of ‘Here I Am’ on Saturday in the Manor West Retail Park. Photo by Dermot Crean
“But here today we are asking people to stare. Take a good look at the pictures and see that they are no different from anyone else. We want to create a public awareness of that and to celebrate people with Down Syndrome,” said Ronan.
Some of the families of children from Kerry were also present for the launch. The Kerry children featured in the book are Grainne Trant from Listowel, Amy O’Connor, Castleisland, Jessica Treyvaud, Killarney, Peppy Fitzgerald, Ardfert, Katie Lyons, Castleisland, Sophie Twiss, Milltown and Amber Donovan, Killorglin.
The book is on sale now in Easons and selected bookstores.
Sergeant Eileen O’Sullivan, Miriam Lyons, Natalie Vanhattem and Chief Superintendent Pat O’Sullivan at the Kerry launch of ‘Here I Am’ on Saturday in the Manor West Retail Park. Photo by Dermot Crean
“
