Share
3rd October 2022
11:58am BST
Special mention & congratulations to Fintan Bray on being elected to our Ard Chomhairle - the first person with Down syndrome to be elected to a senior position in a political party in Ireland. We’re delighted & very grateful to have his input and representation in our party.https://twitter.com/MichealMartinTD/status/1576561296052752387?s=20&t=22dkhKmRRlKK24nXDmjR4g Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner Bray, who is already a member of several groups including the National Council of Down Syndrome Ireland and Fianna Fail's disability forum said he first became interested in politics listening to his father Eamon, a long-time member of Fianna Fail and former of chairman of Down Syndrome Ireland, and oldest brother Kenneth, a former chair of Westmeath IFA, talk about politics “all the time” at home. He said that he hopes to be a role model for young children with disabilities, and that he wouldn't have achieved as much as he has without the support of his family. In a speech at the Westmeath Fianna Fail Cumann's AGM over the summer, Bray spoke about why he wanted to be elected. He said:
Header image via Twitter/michealmartinTD READ NEXT: Galway welcomes popular Dublin Mexican restaurant SalsaI had to work very hard as a child, probably five to six times harder than anyone else, to walk, to talk, to read, to write. I was 12 before I could ride a bicycle, thanks to my brother for helping me.
It was a battle for my parents to make sure I could go to our local national school where my brothers and sister went. The same applied to St Finian's and Cavan Institute.
The big battle only started when I went looking for work. Thanks to places like the Annebrook, the Park Hotel and the Greville Arms who gave me work experience.
....This is why I want to get on to this Committee of 15. I want my voice heard and the voice of the people I represent.
I would like to see that people with a disability will not have to work as hard as me to get a proper education and meaningful jobs.
