SHANE ROTHWELL, DUBLIN
“I was living in a hospital for almost a decade. I was the youngest by about 30 years and I had no one to talk to. I struggled for years to get the opportunity to move to my own home and finally moved last summer. Things are better but there’s still lots of challenges every day. I’m well able to speak up for myself though and now I’m helping give other people with disabilities a voice.” - Shane Rothwell
Shane is strong, independent, funny and always has a twinkle in his eye. He has physical disabilities which require 24/7 support. His ability to live in his own home in the community was often underestimated. He advocated for years to get his own place and finally, with support from the HSE and Genio, he moved to his own apartment in the summer of 2018. Shane is glad to have his own space and be able to make decisions about his own life, even things as simple as what to have for dinner or when to have a cup of tea. This is only the start of the journey for Shane however. Every day can feel like a challenge, whether it’s trying to get access to the park across the road from his apartment, where the entrance is too small for his wheelchair; or secure a parking space for his disability van. Shane is a champion for others who are also seeking to leave institutional care and move to their own home. He recognises that he is lucky that he can speak and advocate on his own behalf, but others cannot. Champions like Shane are critical in demonstrating what’s possible and create momentum for change.