Category: Alyssa Galban

Thursday was the last full day of the conference and there was a lot of discussion regarding life after crisis and how we can create long-term responses. One of my favorite speakers was Federico Batista Poitier as he made some great points about how accessibility is important because it not only helps people with disabilities, but it can also be beneficial to a variety of other communities. For example, implementing ramps and curb cuts on city streets not only makes roads more accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs, but they can also ease the lives of people pushing strollers or carrying luggage! He also made a great point that people with disabilities need to be more present in governmental departments in order to make the most inclusive policies. Instead of having a singular disability department, he argued that it is instead more important to ensure there is at least one person with a disability in every department. It is vital to spread perspectives and to hear the lives of those affected while attempting to facilitate change. 

Another one of my favorite speakers of the day was Rebecca Cokley. Her engaging energy made for a great presentation and I thought she had some great information to share. I admired her strong passion for advocacy, and loved hearing about how the 2020 election was a pivotal point as it was one of the first times people with disabilities were confronted by presidential candidates who were forming their policy platforms. However, my favorite line from her had nothing to do with politics or law. One of her quotes that really stayed with me was: “the movement won’t sustain itself if WE don’t sustain ourselves.” She made a great point on how we cannot be effective advocates and change-makers unless we take care of ourselves. We have to nurture our bodies, take breaks, and maintain our wellness to avoid burnout and create sustainable change! 

On Thursday night, we went to a barbecue hosted by the conference where they had the most delicious food. I loved their baby potatoes and their ice cream bar was a big hit. At the barbecue, I had the privilege of talking to Rebecca Cokley directly and just like in her presentation, her words remained empowering and inspiring. She reminded a few of my classmates and I to “crash the table.” To be fearless and always fight for the rights of ourselves and of others. To be assertive, impeccable, and to assume we deserve to be heard and seen in every setting. It was such a powerful message that will stick with me forever! We ended the night with a small, outdoor party while everyone was still in Galway. Dr. K got us some goodies from M&S and we took time to reflect on the fun memories we created and the messages we learned. 

Friday was the final day of the conference, but was primarily focused around the Moot Court. Participants debated about natural disasters and the implementation of the CRPD and ultimately, the complainants took the victory. We ended our time at NUI Galway with a small ceremony and everyone got their own certificate! Later that night, a few of us headed in to town to do some final souvenir shopping and then we had one last Irish dinner at Monroe’s Tavern 🥺. I of course had to get some ice cream after as well. I spent my last few hours in Galway packing my suitcase and tried not to cry after seeing my empty room.

And now it is Saturday, my last day in Ireland. I am currently writing from the airport—attempting to comprehend everything that has happened over the past four weeks. It is hard to believe the trip is already over. To say the least, this experience was life-changing. I am devastated to be leaving, but am fortunate to have created so many memories, laughs, and new friends. I am really going to miss the beautiful scenery, the informative site visits, the delicious pastries, chocolates, and GUMMIES, but most importantly…the people.

Thank you Ireland, you have been good to me. 

Nothing was on the agenda for Sunday, and so I decided to take it easy. I slept in and then got some pancakes for brunch at a local cafe called Mr. Waffle. It was pretty close to town so after eating, I walked down to the weekly market where I got to see such beautiful artwork, clothing, and jewelry for sale. There were also a ton of food vendors and so we could not help but buy the freshly baked donuts. They were still hot from the fryer and melted in our mouths!  I stayed in most of the afternoon, attempting to get some work done and prepare for the conference, but then decided to go out again with a few others around dinner time. We went to a restaurant called Ember and I got a delicious chicken flatbread! Afterwards, I went back to my room and got to bed early since I had to be up at 8am for the conference!

On Monday I was up bright and early and attended the first day of NUI Galway’s Disability Law Summer School. The first thing I noticed at the conference was how many accommodations they had for people with disabilities. From the sign language interpreters, to COVID protocols, to quiet rooms, to closed captions, to ramps, and Zoom options, NUI Galway evidently prioritized accessibility for all which I greatly respect and admire. The content from Day 1 was interesting as they discussed a lot about strategies for change. My biggest takeaway was the importance of being proactive. If we as a society wish to be more inclusive—especially in regards to protecting people with disabilities during times of crisis—then we have to take action NOW in order to prevent future exclusivity. This includes taking actions such as providing effective assistive technology, creating accessible physical and virtual infrastructures, and participating in political

advocacy that urges states to ensure the protection of people with disabilities through the CRPD. After the conference, I took a nice walk next to the Corrib River and ate Sushi next to the Blackhead Bay. It was such a beautiful day so I also picked up some ice cream…and then dropped it on the ground. Though devastating at first, the generous employee gave me a second scoop for free <3. Thank you, mystery employee.

On the second day of the summer school, we learned a lot about intersectionality. There was discussion on not only how people with disabilities face many challenges, but also on how those challenges can be elevated if you are a child, woman, or member of the LGBTQ+ community. For example, young girls with disabilities are 3x more likely to experience violence, exploitation and abuse, and trans youth often face the obstacle of guardianship—unable to make their own decisions and are consistently not believed by doctors, family, and caregivers.  Overall, my biggest takeaways were that there needs to be better policies, more accessible resources, and an increased number of supports for people with disabilities in order to fight the setbacks of these intersectionalites. For dinner, I walked to town for a burrito bowl (gotta get those steps in!) and then ended my night with some ice cream and homework. 

The panelists on Wednesday have been some of my favorite so far. Rather than speaking about law and policy, a lot of the speakers in the first half of the day discussed their own direct experiences with exclusivity and crisis. We heard from two individuals with disabilities, Roisin Doherty and Michael Cole, and I found it very informative to listen to their encounters with obstacles—such as discrimination in school. As a future educator, one of my biggest priorities is to create an inclusive classroom and so I appreciate how they explained what they think are the best ways to address and mitigate bullying in the classroom. They suggested having patience and providing support, but also implanting anti-bullying systems and creating be-friending programs. I was actually a member of Best Buddies in high school and so I would love to help lead a similar program in my future school district. Another big takeaway from Wednesday’s session is the importance of including people with disabilities during emergency planning. People with disabilities know what is best for their communities and so it is vital for them to work as leaders while designing responses to crises in order to create the most accessible and equitable resources! For the rest of the day, I plan to have a low-key night and stay in for dinner, but I am also considering talking a walk near the bay to see the beautiful views of The Long Walk, The Spanish Arc, and Nimmo’s Pier.  

It is really hard to believe that my trip is reaching and end and that by the time I upload my next blog post, I will be back home. I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities and memories I have gotten to experience over the past three and a half weeks, but I wish we had more time. For now, I am going to cherish the last few moments I have in Galway and hope that the days don’t go too fast…. 

 

On Wednesday night, we attended a dinner event called the Irish House Party! I had some delicious vegetable soup, a leek and brie pastry, and a chocolate brownie with ice cream for dessert! Everything was INCREDIBLE! After eating, we got to watch a band play traditional Irish music and they were amazing too! There was one musician playing the most complex instrument I have ever seen called the uileann pipes. It was very similar to a bagpipe, except he was pumping air into the instrument with his elbows! The band also had an Irish dancer who had the most impressive footwork! Everyone in the group was extremely talented. Overall, it was a great night and I wish I could go back!

Thursday was not too eventful. We had to present our disability comparison projects over Zoom and so most of the day was spent doing that. We had a break in between to grab lunch at a local chain called KC Peaches, and then spent the rest of the afternoon presenting. It was fascinating to learn about a wide variety of disabilities such as paraplegia, PTSD, and cerebral palsy. It was a beautiful day, and so afterwards I enjoyed the nice weather by exploring Dublin and taking another #HotGirlWalk through the park. I ended my night by sitting outside at the campus bar and chatting with my friends as the sun set over the college. It was beautiful!

Friday morning had an amazing start as I decided to embrace my last day in Dublin and go out to breakfast. Steph and I grabbed pastries at a local bakery called Bread 41 and I had THE BEST ALMOND CROISSANT EVER. I tend to exaggerate how good things taste, but I kid you not…I do not think I will ever eat anything as good as that croissant. I’m getting emotional just thinking about it. After my glorious breakfast, we had 2 more project presentations followed by a meeting with Dr. Rebecca Quin, a psychologist at The Children’s Disability Network and the creator of The Psychology Practice—a service for children who experience emotional and behavioral difficulties. As someone looking to work with younger kids, I was so interested to hear from her and the creative approaches she takes to provide assessment and intervention for children. From their botox clinic, to their hydrotherapy pool, Dr. Quin and her team have so many unique and helpful services.

After doing laundry and attempting to finish packing, all 12 of us met up for dinner to celebrate our last night in Dublin. We dined at an Italian restaurant called Forno 500 and I got PIZZA! A little ironic that we chose to get Italian food in Ireland, but I do not regret it. We ended the night with one last trip to our favorite pub and I danced, sang, and cherished every last moment!

On Saturday we had an early morning because our bus was scheduled to leave Dublin at 8:00am. After quick pit stops at the Barack Obama Plaza and Bunratty Castle, we made it to our main destination: The Cliffs of Moher. I feel like I keep saying every site I go to is breathtaking, but this one was truly unforgettable. It was amazing to see the bright blue water crash against the rocks and I know for a fact there is nothing like it in the United States. It was stunning. After the cliffs, we drove

to Galway and got settled in our new rooms at NUI. I got to unpack and then we grabbed Asian food for dinner! A few of us decided to head back early, but were in the mood for a sweet treat and so we made COOKIES! The just-add-water Betty Crocker mix did not make for the most delicious treat, but we had a fun time making them!

One week left, hopefully it is the best one! I am excited for the conference and to see what Galway has to offer. I’ll see you on Wednesday!

How are we already in week 3?! This trip is FLYING by. 

Sunday was not too eventful as there was nothing planned on the schedule. I treated myself to a latte and a Victoria sponge cake for breakfast at The Queen of Tarts ( IT WAS SO GOOD ) and then did a little bit of food shopping. For the rest of the day, I decided to focus on my schoolwork because I remembered that a large part of study abroad is…..studying. Who would have thought. I was able to submit my week 2 journal and then attempted to work a bit more on my disability comparison project—I actually got a lot of it done! I have been craving pizza all week and so around dinner time, a few of us headed to a little restaurant called Bambino and grabbed some slices to go. Let me tell you, pizza hits different after 36 hours of stress, anxiety, and hard work. I ended my day with a quick arm workout (prepping to move my 50 pound suitcase to Galway next week), a warm shower, and some Netflix before bed. 

On Monday we did not have a site visit and so I took some time to enjoy Dublin’s offerings. In the morning, I walked along Grafton Street to find some souvenirs for my family and also did some shopping for myself. I bought the cheesiest t-shirt ever (it was only 4 euros!) and a delicious hot chocolate from Butler’s. I attempted to get some work done after and then around 3:00, I ventured out to a small, coastal town called Howth. It was about a 30 minute train ride from Dublin and it was SO CUTE!

There were a ton of local restaurants and ice-cream shops that reminded me of the beach towns from back home. If it were not so chilly, I would want to live there! We took a 4 mile hike through the cliffs and it was hands down the prettiest, most scenic walk I have taken in a while. Pictures do not capture how beautiful it truly was. After the hike, we grabbed a quick bite to eat outside, took the train back to Trinity, and then I finished my night with some candy and homework.

Tuesday was not too busy. We had a quick discussion around lunchtime about advocacy and how no one is perfect—that we should constantly be learning, growing, and accepting our past faults in order to be the best versions of ourselves. After, we met with Trinity’s disability services and I was very pleased to hear about their accommodations and adaptability. One notion that particularly stood out to me was that our speaker, Clare, stated that she is well-compensated in her career and feels appreciated by society. This is unfortunately a lot less common in America as individuals working in disability services are often under appreciated and under paid. The rest of the day was not too eventful. I went on a walk, did some work, and grabbed bubble waffles for dessert—YUM!

On Wednesday, I grabbed some iced coffee in the morning and then joined a Zoom call with the Disability Federation of Ireland. I loved hearing about their services as they had such a strong passion for disability support. Unlike other organizations we have spoken to, DFI is also supporting people in Ukraine—something I find to be very admirable. Though they said they are not providing direct services, they are attempting to help in any way they can through advocacy and speaking to the Irish government. After the meeting, Steph and I enjoyed the beautiful afternoon by taking a stroll through Saint Steven’s Green and then we picked up some flowers and chocolates for our classmates who are still in isolation. Tonight, we are going out to eat and will get to experience traditional Irish food, dancing, and music! I am very excited and will keep you updated. 

Next time I post, I will be in Galway! This journey is moving too fast and I am trying to enjoy every last second of it! I am sad that we are more than halfway done, but so thrilled for what is still to come!

Bye for now! 

I cannot believe that we are more than halfway done this trip! It feels surreal to know that we only have a few days left in Dublin! There are so many stores and restaurants I still need to visit…but there is so little time. 

The second half of my week started off with a trip to University College Dublin where we visited their center for Disability Studies. The campus was extremely different from Trinity’s as it was a lot more modern—less cobblestone and a more giant, glass windows. They told us a bit about the school and then went on to describe how they are researching Epilepsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, and several other disabilities. We also got to explore some of their psychology labs, and towards the end they treated us to coffee and one of the best chocolate croissants I have ever tasted! Upon arriving back to Trinity, I took advantage of this beautiful day and took a long stroll to the Grand Canal, followed by a gelato run with my roommates. 

Friday was such a fun day as we took a trip up to Northern Ireland–my first time in the United Kingdom! Our first stop was the Dark Arches (featured in Game of Thrones), followed by a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean, and then a hike alongside Giant’s Causeway—breathtaking, ocean-side hills that were formed from an ancient volcanic eruption. It was one of the coolest, most unique landscapes I have ever seen. The entire site was filled with tall columns of hexagonal rock and it truly is one-of-a-kind. After Giants Causeway, we grabbed lunch, explored Belfast for about an hour, and then headed back to Dublin for some dinner and rest. An exhausting 13 hours, but it sure was worth it!

And on Saturday…well…things did not go as planned. COVID-19 is still very much present in the world and has unfortunately made its way into our group. It is not the most favorable situation, especially considering this is our last week in Dublin, but I have to say that I have been extremely impressed by everyones problem solving, cooperation, and flexibility. Despite the challenges we are facing, everyone has demonstrated their kindness, strength and adaptability—making me feel so proud to be apart of this powerful team of women. Regardless about what happens this week, I know we will all have each other’s backs and that is what is most important to me.

Happy halfway point! I am excited (and nervous) to see what happens within the next two weeks! 

I DID IT! I FOUND A SHEEP! 

We took a day trip on Sunday and it was INCREDIBLE! Despite the rain and dreary weather, my day was still filled with sunshine because I not only got to see sheep, but I also got to hold one! It was like cradling a baby…the one I carried was so precious. We also had the opportunity to take a hike through the Wicklow Mountains (they were stunning, no pictures will ever to it justice), and venture to Kilkenny where we ate at an Irish pub and explored the historical Kilkenny castle. It was an exhausting 8 hours, but it sure was exciting. 

On Monday we took another day trip and explored the ancient sites of East Ireland. The weather was much nicer today, but the sites were equally as beautiful. From the Hills of Tara, to Trim Castle, I was in awe of how stunning everything looked. My favorite part was getting to the top of the Loughcrew Mountains. Our tour guide made us hike up one of the steepest slopes I have ever stepped foot on and though climbing it was the most exercise I have done in weeks, the view at the top was breathtaking. We were all panting and attempting to lower our heart rates while looking at the scenery, but the exhaustion was worth it. And to reward ourselves for the hard work, we of course had to devour some of the delicious baked goods being served at the bottom of the hill. 

On Tuesday there were blue skies and so I decided to take a long walk in the morning around the city. I grabbed some pastries and enjoyed Dublin’s beautiful sites. After, we had a visit from Mental Health Ireland where we got to discuss how the country funds, advocates for, and treats mental health. I learned that at least 12% of a country’s budget should be put towards mental health services and after some research, I discovered that the United States only spends 2%!!! And while Ireland spends less than 12% as well, these numbers help to demonstrate that mental wellness is often neglected, underfunded, and should be more prioritized! The rest of Tuesday was relaxing as we all took time after the meeting to rest our bodies and then grabbed some traditional Irish food for dinner at The Old Storehouse. Yummy! 

I was able to wake up early enough on Wednesday to grab scones with my roommate at a cafe down the street called Keogh’s. It was a delicious start to my morning, but then was taken by surprise when Dr. K came over with more scones from a bakery called Queen of Tarts! Both were tasty, but I have to say that the ones she brought over were definitely my favorite. Around 11:15 we had a group discussion about wellness and then walked over the bridge to an organization called Friends of the Elderly—a charity that helps to build friendships among people who are 60+ and are living alone/feel lonely. We helped to serve tea, coffee, and snacks to each table and once everyone was done eating, we got to dance and sing with everyone there! There was a sweet man there named Patrick and despite being 73 years old, he was the best dancer out of everyone in the room! His age did not stop him from Irish stepping, ballroom dancing, and singing Sweet Caroline. From socializing, to scream-singing, to learning new dance moves, this was one of my favorite visits yet ! (Check out Patrick’s dancing here: IMG_6085 !!!!)

Our second half of the week is pretty exciting—Thursday we take a visit to UCD’s Center for Disabilities, Friday we venture up to Giant’s Causeway, and on Saturday we will head to Children’s Disability Network Teams. I am excited for what is to come, and am excited to keep you all updated!

On Thursday we began our morning by heading to the The Outhouse, a resource center and safe place for members of LGBTQ+ community. With a small cafe, an incredible art exhibit in the basement, and colorful decor, The Outhouse felt so welcoming and it makes me happy to know that it provides a sense of community for the individuals who need it. 

After The Outhouse, we visited a local organization called Deaf Village—an inclusive space where individuals apart of the deaf community can gather. They had a cafe, theater, chapel, swimming pool, and gym—all of which were accessible for those who are deaf. And though this space did a great job in promoting accessibility, one of the biggest ideas mentioned at this visit was how little Ireland does to accommodate for deaf people throughout the country. In fact, it was not until a few years ago in which Irish Sign Language was officially recognized as a native language of the state. One of the staff members stated that she does not view hearing loss as a disability, but rather as a language barrier and that if we as a society can work to learn sign language and become more aware of how to communicate with deaf individuals than life would be a lot easier for all. Such an eye opening message and overall a great experience.

On Friday, my roommates and I decided we should celebrate National Donut Day by grabbing some breakfast at this ADORABLE bakery called The Rolling Donut. They had so many unique flavors and I wanted to try them all. My indecisiveness and I almost had a panic attack trying to decide which one I wanted. I ultimately went with the cookies and cream and it was honestly a great choice. We are already talking about going back so we can try more flavors! We did some sightseeing later in the day and I noticed that the elevators in one of the buildings was completely clear! I took a note of this because yesterday at Deaf Village, our tour guide mentioned that clear elevators are very beneficial for deaf individuals incase they get stuck and need to sign or communicate with others around them. And though this clear elevator was likely just for aesthetic purposes, I thought it was interesting how sometimes we can make unintentional accommodations for people with disabilities. I am hoping by being more aware, society as a whole can start to make intentional ones! 

On Friday night we watched a woman’s cricket game which was so interesting to watch! I had no idea what was going on, but it was exciting to observe something new and see how dedicated the fans were. We took the train to get over to the field and noticed that the system was not the most compliant for the disabled community. From the large gaps between the train and loading area, to the lack of auditory cues at each stop, there is much that Transport for Ireland (the public transport brand in Dublin) can do to improve its experience for all users. 

Saturday was a rest day as we had nothing planned. I was able to exercise, do laundry, go grocery shopping, and get some work done which was very helpful after a chaotic week of running around. For dinner we tried to grab some traditional Irish food at The Hairy Lemon but instead ended up at restaurant called The Market Bar! They had live music and some delicious food, it was a great time! 

Tomorrow we head to Kilkenny and my biggest goal is to find a sheep! I will keep you updated with my discoveries! 

Blog post #1…where do I even begin? 

We are only three days into our Ireland adventures and it has already been a dream. The music, the food, the culture—everything in Dublin is extraordinary.

After 8 hours of travel, very little sleep, and an exhausting couple of days,
the Disability and Culture Program finally started on May 30! Day 1 was exciting as we got to arrive to campus and explore our new dorms. We also got to go grocery shopping here for the first time at this European store called M&S. The food and packaging was so different from what it is like in America so I had so much fun exploring each aisle. What I loved most about M&S was that they had their own mascot named Percy Pig! He was EVERYWHERE and they even have little candies and treats named after him. He is now the unofficial 13th student of this program <3.

Day 2 was a bit more eventful as we got to go on a few site visits. After a quick discussion on the models of disability, we visited the Book of Kells and one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen. It felt as if I was inside of a Harry Potter movie. The high ceilings, the long hallway, and the distinct smell of the old books had me enthralled with my surroundings. After, we walked to the Irish Emigration Museum where we got to explore the stories of Irish individuals and how they have made their impact across the globe. With hands on activities, compelling videos, and so many interesting facts, this museum

was such an engaging and informative way to learn about Ireland’s rich history.  In between our two visits, we got to try a traditional Irish dish called a pasty. It was essentially a chicken pot pie calzone and it was GLORIOUS…I will definitely be heading back for more and am tempted to smuggle some back to America. After our visits, we treated ourselves to some ice cream from Murphy’s which made for a perfect ending to our busy day! The staff was so kind and their ice cream was incredibly creamy and delicious. 

On Day 3 we started our morning by visiting a local organization called Fighting Blindness. They discussed how they work to fund treatments, research, and advocacy for individuals who are visually impaired. This was such an interesting experience as we got to talk to not only such knowledgeable staff members, but also an individual who was blind himself. One portion of the conversation that stood out to me was the idea of misconceptions around vision loss. From people thinking they need to talk slower and louder around the blind, to individuals not realizing that vision loss is a broad spectrum—there are many assumptions that society often makes. People typically only consider these notions while talking to individuals affected by vision loss, when they should be more concerned about accessibility. Though some parts of Dublin—such as the crosswalks—are very accessible for people with visual impairments, big changes such as stronger legislation or more auditory resources, and small changes such as trimming the leaves on bushes, can greatly benefit not only the blind and visually impaired community, but also all of Dublin. After our 3 hour visit, we grabbed some food and enjoyed the rare, sunny afternoon as we explored the beautiful sites of Grafton Street. 

Though only halfway done week one, this trip has been incredible and I feel so lucky to be here. I am looking forward to visiting the Outhouse, Deaf Village, and everything else the rest of this week has in store!  Slán go fóill! (That means “goodbye for now” in Gaelic!)