Eileen was invited to Hillsbrough Castle on Friday September 9th to receive my BEM medal from Viscount Brookeborough. Eileen was accompanied to the event by Gerry Maguire, Elizabeth McCord from Women Making Waves and Shopmobility Enniskillen and a family friend Bernadette Corrigan.

 

Eileen is originally from Teemore, but moved to Enniskillen at the age of seven to be near a school due to her disability, which would eventually be diagnosed as Cerebral Palsy. While she was a student, Eillen attended St Fancheas in Enniskillen and in 1990, Eileen began volunteering in the old Info Plus centre, and 26 years later, her work is still going on.

 

Eileen has been involved in a number of initiatives in Enniskillen including Fermanagh Women’s Network. Eighteen years ago, she helped to set up a disabled and non disabled women’s group called Women Making Waves. Continuing in her community work, eight years ago Eileen also helped to set up Shopmobility Enniskillen with the support of Shopmobility NI.

 

On Saturday, April 30th Eileen got a surprise from the postman when she found out she had been nominated in Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday Honours for the BEM. 

 

“To say I was in total shock would be the best way to explain my feelings. We had a very memorable day. One that I will not forget and I think we all enjoyed the experience.”said Eileen.

 

After being rewarded for all her hard work throughout the years, Eileen has no intentions of stopping now and will continue to help those in need. 

 

“I look forward to continuing my community work. Other part of my work is lobbing for the rights of disabled people both in Belfast with Disability Action and in Derry with The Northwest Forum of People with Disabilities. 

 

“I am also still involved in a play I wrote called “does she take sugar 2” showing the patronising issues we face and how we deal with it in a fun way. This has been a very successful project for Women Making Waves which is still continuing.” added Eileen.