OVER 500 people attended Beyond Limits, an event for children with disabilities and their families, at the University of Limerick’s Sports Arena last weekend.
The event, organised by the Ombudsman for Children’s office, was hosted by paralympic champion Ellen Keane and included talks from young speaker Saoirse Ruane and Limerick Person of the Year Padraig O’Callaghan.
The mission of Beyond Limits is to recognise the abilities and interests of children and young people with disabilities in the hopes of empowering and inspiring them.
The event also saw disability ambassadors Jack Kavanagh and Paddy Symth make an appearance, along with performances from the ‘Free to Be Me’ group, and Limerick musicians Wild Division and Detention.
Children who attended the Beyond Limits event took part in a range of activities on the day including rugby, GAA, soccer, cooking, yoga, music, drama, arts, crafts, gaming, and table tennis.
Speaking at the event, host and athlete Ellen Keane said: “This is an opportunity for people to gather together, for children to learn and share their stories”.
“When you have a disability, you’re a minority. It can be hard to meet people like you and to be included. That’s what Beyond Limits is about.”
Speaking words of encouragement to the children in attendance, Jamie Forde – aka MC King of the Kabin Crew – said: “Never let anything get you down. If you want to do something, go ahead and don’t let anything hold you back.”
Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon added that he “loved bringing this wonderful event to the Mid West” on behalf of his office.
“Beyond Limits is all about empowering and inspiring children and young people with disabilities, and also showing how an inclusive and accessible event like this is not only possible, but can offer so much fun and possibility for all involved.
“Some families aren’t sure what can be achieved if you have a child with a disability and this event shows what is possible. As a society, we’re not doing enough for children with disabilities and we need to do better.”
