by Kathy Masterson
A FESTIVAL event for children with disabilities and their families will will welcome John Nolan of Dancing With the Stars fame at The Sports Arena, University of Limerick on October 15.
The event, Beyond Limits, was launched by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office this week.
Beyond Limits will be presented by Disability Ambassador, Paddy Smyth and there will be a performance by John alongside children with disabilities.
Beyond Limits is a festival-style event with speakers, activities, workshops and performances. Children and families will be inspired and motivated by the stories of children with disabilities, and some well-known faces. The GAA, the IRFU, the FAI and Gymnastics Ireland will be there showing children how they can get involved. There will be a silent disco, arts and craft, sensory stories, a gaming station, and yoga and mindfulness.
Tickets for Beyond Limits are free but limited and are available at www.beyondlimits.ie.
Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon said: “We are so excited to bring Beyond Limits to Limerick in October. We are creating a fun, inclusive and accessible event for children in Limerick and the surrounding area that showcase the skills and talents of people with disabilities, and where children and families can learn about activities they can get involved in.”
Speakers and performers confirmed so far include Limerick’s own Padraig O’Callaghan, who was awarded Limerick Person of the Year after he inspired the local community during the pandemic with his weekly motivational videos called ‘Paudcasts’.
The line up also features Dr Colman Noctor – psychotherapist, Assistant Professor of Mental Health, author, columnist and broadcaster.
The Bluestack Choir, a fully-inclusive choir that celebrates all abilities through music, will also perform at the event.
Other participants include Music Generation, and the Beyond Limits Youth Advisory Panel, a group of young people of all abilities who are helping to plan the event.
