Category: Kelli McEachern

I cannot believe this is my last blog post! It been crazy in Ireland and so thankful for the experience. This was the best for 4 weeks ever and cannot believe it is over.

For the rest of the conference I learned so much new information from each of the other the speakers that talked.

On Wednesday we talked to Maegan(climate), Rosinin & Micheal (Health), Sumero (conflict), Jo-Ann (climate), Helena (conflict) and Vincenzo (Health). The first three gave their perspective and what it is like with the disability. I really learned a lot from Maegan and the deaf culture. I would never realize that they would not be able to know when a weather crisis is about to happen because they cannot hear the alarms. She shared that the death rates for earthquakes in Japan were higher for people with hearing loss. Helena also covered about Ukraine too and shared a video that was very sad to watch. It showed an institutions where children with disability were not getting the right care they needed and how bad the place was. Jo-Ann also covered climate and mentioned earthquakes in Haiti. She said there is no response kit with assistive devices. As well as post disaster information does not included people with disability and disaster risk management does not either.

On Friday we heard from Federico (climate), Benafsha (conflict), Boakai (health), Mahbub (climate), Dwi (conflict), and Rebecca (health).  The first half covered pivoting after a crisis and the last three covered long term response. I would say Rebecca was a great speaker and I was fully engage in her topic and conversation because of the way she spoke. In addition, she talked to so many of the U.S government it was so interesting. I did still learn a lot from the other speakers. For example Benafsha talked about Afghanistan and discussed all the policies that happened after war like the Ministry of the martyrs and the disabled. Boakai covered Liberia and the effects of Ebola. And then the next pandemic which was Covid. He shared there was a lack of trained docters even after Covid. Back to Rebecca, she covered a lot of government and I do not know a lot about the government so it was great to hear this information. The foundation she is in is Ford which helps fund post viral illness groups. After the conference there was a delicious BBQ.

On Friday the moot groups went which we did not participate in and that was a weather disaster happening and a group filed a complaint against the state. There were three judges and the complaint won the argument. After that I got my certificate and went shopping/packed the rest of the day.

PEACE OUT IRELAND, ITS BEEN REAL!!

This past Sunday I went to Aran Island with my family because they came up for a short week to visit me and Ireland.  Also we had a free to do anything we want so I wanted to be with my family. It was so good seeing my family and I cannot wait to see them on Saturday.

We started the conference which is called the Disability Law summer school.  The three main topics that were covered everyday was conflict, climate and health. Yolanda covered climate, Rahma covered conflict and Theresa covered health in the first half of the day. The big thing I remember from that day was from health and how there are not enough treatment resources. As well as 56% of people who died from covid had a disability. I also thought was interesting Rahma talked about refugees and how there is so many lack of services like water and inclusive tools.

In the second half of the day there was a group of women that talked about ways to change. For climate Nadia talk about the greenhouse and how it affects people with disability. She also talked about how it can be reduced.  Janet was covering conflict and discussed the policy and rights for people with disability. Lastly Vincenzo was the last speaker of the day speaking on health.

On Tuesday the six speakers were Kristen covering children, Pratima talking about gender, Shivangi discussing LGBTQ, Sebastien with climate, Yuliia talking about conflict and Maria discussing health.  All were very interesting discussions. Tuesday I learned a lot of new information that day and made sure I took good notes on it. Especially the topic on children and all the factors, risk factors and institutionalization. Yuliia topic on conflict covered Ukraine. It was great that she was here to touch base about this country because all the stuff I hear about Ukraine is from the news. She talked more about people with disabilities and the bomb shelters.

For Wednesday we got to meet with two people from Disability Federation of Ireland. We talked about the different services they do to support people with disabilities as well as they support people from Ukraine. They shared how that is very difficult to do because of the language barrier and how it is hard to help them. Later that evening we went to an Irish dinner and dancing. I had a delicious Guinness beef stew and a bailey ice cream. Then the singing was so entertaining and I actually saw some Irish jig.

On Thursday we presented our projects about a certain disability and boy was that exhausting, but I did learn about so many different things. To take some steam off we all decided to go out and that did help a lot.

On Fridays two more presentation went before our meeting with psychologist Quin from children’s disability network teams. I mentioned before how it got cancelled, but some how we were able to fit it in. Hearing her talk was very interesting as I was able to hear what it is like working with kids. I do not know if I want to work with kids still or the elderly so it helped a lot. Then we enjoyed our last night in Dublin after I packed with a nice dinner from Forno 400 and the best bar ever, QUAYS.

We woke up at 730 am to go on our way to Galway on Saturday. We had a private tour bus because we were able to go to the Cliffs of Moher. The view was beautiful, but scary because of the cliff. After that we got to NUI Galway and the rooms are beautiful so much more modern than Trinity. I have my own bathroom in my bedroom. Im in love!!!

On Sunday night some of us decided that we were in the mood for pizza. This place called Bambino pizza and it was a New York style pizza. It was so good, it was thin and had a good crispy task. I love wood fire pizza and that hit the spot.

The next day 5 of us decided to go out for brunch at this beautiful place called Bewleys. The food was delicious and I got a ham and cheese sandwich. After that we decided to some shopping at Pennys, H&M and Zara and boy my does my wallet hurt after that. I enjoyed the rest of my day doing a project. For some stress reliever some of us decided to play UNO. It got really intense!HAHA!

On Tuesday we had a site visit with Trinity Disabilities Services. I did not know that Trinity supplies an occupational therapist. I only thought they would be in a lower education like K-12, but not at a college. Some of the services they provide are just like Penn State or any college in America. For instance, giving someone extra exam time. I really only knew about the physical therapy that occupational therapist provided, but it was good to hear her talk about the social aspects of OT. This made my decision on what type of OT I wanted to do.

On Thursday we went to the University College of Dublin in which we went to learn about the different studies they are doing in the Psychology department. They showed us their new laboratory and all the different things they added to it. For instance, they added an observation room so they did have to observed outside in the cold. This college is very more modern than it is compared to Trinity College where we are staying at. Right after a few of us decided to get food and we found this place called PYG. They had some really great deals for drinks and food. I really needed a place like that after spending so much money here.

On Friday I had a day to myself and to focus on myself because I feel like I have been running around doing stuff. I think this was my first day of doing nothing and just enjoying my time by myself. Towards the end of the night a couple of us decided to do some shopping and go out later that night.

On Saturday we were suppose to go to the children’s disability network team, but sadly we could not. So I just relaxed all day and had time for myself. I was really craving Mexican so I went out to get me some tacos at Tolteca.

For the start of our week we went on a tour that took us a little bit up North of Dublin. The tour took us to the hill of Tara and the Trim castle, but sadly we could not go inside. However, we did get to see donkeys! Next stop was the Loughcrew passage Tomb and boy was that hill hard to walk up, but the view was worth it. The last stop was Fore Abbey which I could not walk up after the passage tomb but I did go into the castle that was on flat ground. The views on this trip so far have been breathe taking.

On Tuesday we had Marvin come to us to discuss mental health in Ireland. He discussed a lot of things and compared a lot of it to the U.S. so we can get an understanding of it.

On Wednesday we went to the friends of the elderly. It was so much fun and we helped them get drinks and food, listen to music and danced with them. I had so much fun with them and they made me laugh.

On Wednesday we finally went to our first site and it was so informative. We went to Fighting Blindness and got to hear what they do and how they help people with vision impairment in the Ireland community. We were able to hear from John who was a counselor for them for many years right before the pandemic. John was legally blind and told us a bunch of stories which helped me get that different perspective on things. This organization also told us about the legal problems they are dealing with Ireland. As well as mentioned the different studies that are being done and how they are working in other countries. This site was so helpful and gave so much information especially now I can compare some things to the U.S.

On Thursday our next two sites were Outhouse and Deaf Village. For Outhouse we got to see a lot of differences in the legal and cultural values for the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland and the U.S. In addition, we saw their gay club that was opened in the 80’s called the Amazing Flickers and it was undercover since it was illegal back then. It was so neat and I am happy we came because it helped me get a perspective on how things are for the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland. The last site we went to for the week was Deaf village. The gave us a tour oftheir village and the upgrades they are about to do. They have a gym/ pool that is offered to people with hearing loss, but also people that do not can still get a membership. A lot of the staff from every department has someone with hearing loss. I learned that in all ofIreland there is only one school for the children with hearing loss and a couple of smaller school options. It is crazy to think there is only one option they can go to. These sites were so informative and so helpful to get a different perspective of things.

For the weekend we went to Guinness Factory, A cricket game which was actually not boring, Howth, Ireland and Kilkenny. I love Ireland and can not get over how beautiful it is here. I love this place!! I cannot believe week 1 is done!!

I cannot believe that we are finally in Ireland, it feels so surreal. I arrived on Sunday morning since our flight was overnight and we walked around Dublin until our hotel room was ready at 3. The next day we went to DR. K and DR. Pia’s room to discuss the trip more deeply. We learned about the different sites we will be visiting. After that we moved into our rooms in Trinity College and the rooms are so nice! This place is so awesome and pretty, I love it!! At night we explored Dublin even more and it is just so awesome to be here!!

On Tuesday we started our trip, but we did not visit any sites yet. We went to the Book of Kells which was so cool and the long hallway did have a weird smell to it. Then we went to the Irish Emigration Museum which was so nice to learn about the Irish culture. I cannot wait until we start visiting the sites and getting to learn about the way they handle thing differently from America.