I came from the National Learning Network in Kilkenny. I did a Junior Cert with them and decided to go further and do a Level 3. I want to be out there because I’m very independent, though I have great family support at home.
There was another opportunity on a course called Career Paths. It’s all about getting into employment. I finished up nearly two years ago. I decided to look up a few courses in the College of FET in Kilkenny. Media Studies appealed to me as I have a blog called Finian’s House. It’s for a group of people with learning disabilities – I organise outings for them because often there’s nowhere for them to go. I do video stuff with them and record the stories that they tell me, all their education backgrounds, and sometimes the difficulties they had making friends in school. And for me, family was a big thing in life or even having friends and they support you on your journey.
I also go out and about to events like Savour Kilkenny and make videos. Because of this I met a few celebrities in my day like the Coronas, Lyra and the Saw Doctors. My family and friends encouraged me to get into blogging. My first video reached 1.2k or something because people kept sharing it. Now I have over 600 followers on Facebook. I also did the Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership camp and a woman there interviewed me for Irish TV. I was about 15 years of age. I was asked to become a leader for people with disabilities, and to help them. I loved it so much.
Even if you have a disability yourself, nothing should stop you from learning new things in life.
During lockdown, I did cooking demos online, making dinners like Spaghetti Bolognese, meatloaf and curries. I’m good at cooking, and my family give me great support with it.
So that’s how I decided to come to the College of FET in Kilkenny. We cover all aspects of media. We have to find our own work experience, so I got some practical experience in a radio station. I work on reception sometimes, and I also do the weather live on air on Community Radio Kilkenny City. The support I get from my college and from the radio station is absolutely amazing. The manager over at the radio station supports me so much – she supports people like me with disabilities to get a part-time or full-time employment.
I have learned so much on my course but the one thing I struggle with is Microsoft Teams. It can be stressful for people with disabilities. I prefer to be given things in hard copy, like paper form. I know it’s not good for the environment, but I find it easier to follow the brief that way. Also, getting things down on paper is the most difficult thing for me. If I was doing this media course again, I would extend it for two years to take the pressure off.
But we have good learning supports in college. I have access to an SNA and I am given extra time to do my assignments. If I’m stuck with an assignment, my SNA will come over and she’ll break down the brief even more for me. She’s great craic too.
In the future, I would like to get some part-time employment. It can be hard for people with disabilities to get like a job because sometimes people put you down, or you don’t get the support you need in the workplace.
I’m a people-person and very chatty so I think I’d like to work in retail. I like being out and about meeting people. I also did work placements in Mr Price and Golden Discs (one of my favourite shops) for a few months. I want to get out there more – the more things that I have on my CV, the more employers will want to employ you. And the support I got from Golden Discs and Mr Price was great – I was so grateful to get the opportunity to work in retail.
School isn’t for everyone. I got a little help with SNAS in primary and secondary school so the supports in college are amazing for me.
I’m proud of myself as a person with a disability getting an education and getting a Level 5 cert.
I was so overwhelmed with happiness when I got through the interview and got onto my course. I love college life. It’s fun and I never want to leave.
As a proud person with a disability, I thought this would never happen. I am honoured to get a Level 5 under my belt.
Find out more about the College of FET, Kilkenny
