The Marie Keating Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a ground-breaking initiative called Healthy Living For Life aimed at enhancing equitable access to cancer prevention information and screening for adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland.
The initiative was officially unveiled at the Foundation’s first-ever Adults with Intellectual Disability Celebration Day which took place last week at The Maldron Hotel, Whitestown Way, Tallaght in Dublin.
The milestone event was also celebrating the collaborative work between the Marie Keating Foundation, HSE Cavan Monaghan Disability Services, people with intellectual disabilities as well as intellectual disability support groups across the country. More than 100 people with intellectual disabilities who participated in the yearlong project also attended the celebration event.
At the heart of this year-long initiative is the creation of user-friendly cancer education materials, adapted from the Foundation’s existing cancer awareness materials. A key milestone was the official launch of Healthy Living for Life – an easy-to-read booklet focused on cancer prevention, healthy lifestyle habits and the national cancer screening services available. The resource aims to deliver accessible, engaging and empowering health information tailored specifically for adults with intellectual disabilities.
The initiative – supported by Gilead Sciences – was the brainchild of Health Action Groups in Cavan and Monaghan HSE Disability Services and developed in collaboration with the Marie Keating Foundation. Seven such groups across the country collaborated in the project – Cork and Waterford, Cavan Town, Bailieborough, Monaghan, Sligo, Ballinasloe and Galway.
Clodagh O’Sullivan from Popes Quay Community Hub in Cork, who participated in the initiative, spoke of the importance of the initiative.
“I enjoyed being part of the group because I got to be part of making information easier to understand for others like me who also have a disability. We had great fun doing it. It’s exciting to think that the work we have done will be available to people all over Ireland.”
The Marie Keating Foundation’s team of specialist nurses have received targeted training to effectively support adults with intellectual disabilities. They will, in turn, train additional healthcare professionals.
The resources will now be distributed to individuals, families, healthcare professionals and intellectual disability supports groups and Health Action Groups across Ireland. It will also be freely available on the Foundation’s website, www.mariekeating.ie ensuring ongoing access and use.
For more information about the initiative or to access the new educational resources, visit www.mariekeating.ie.
