Patients put photographs on show

A UNIQUE
exhibition of photography created by the patients at the National
Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dún Laoghaire was officially opened by
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore last week. In an effort to explore new recreational
activities for patients at the hospital, it was decided to engage them in a
hobby they could master and enjoy following their discharge.

Tara Keane, a
former patient in the Prosthetic Service at NRH, got involved in photography
following an injury. In conjunction with
the hospital’s Therapeutic Recreation Service, Tara began teaching a weekly
course to patients on a voluntary basis.
In light of the success of photography as a recreational activity, it
was decided to run a digital photography competition for all current and past
patients nationwide. The competition
will be judged by a panel including Gareth Byrne, the President of the Irish
Professional Photographers’ Association.

The shortlist of
30 photographs are exhibited in the hospital where the top three placed entries
were also announced at the formal opening.

CEO, Derek
Greene said:

“It is a privilege to be part of an organisation where, on a daily
basis, we see people who have faced with catastrophic events and challenges in
their lives coming to us with innovative ideas to help others who are embarking
on a similar journey to rebuild their lives through rehabilitation.

“Tara Keane is a
shining example of this and we are extremely grateful to her for her generosity
of spirit in sharing her time and her talents with our patients.

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The NRH provides
a comprehensive range of specialist rehabilitation services to patients from
throughout Ireland who, as a result of an accident, illness or injury have
acquired a physical or cognitive disability and who require specialist medical
rehabilitation.

In 2008, the
hospital established the Therapeutic Recreation Service, which provides
opportunities for patients to engage in leisure and recreational pursuits
tailored to their specific needs during their inpatient rehabilitation
programme.

There are over
300,000 disabled adults in Ireland and 16 per cent of those have severe
disability.