Purple Lights Up in Firhouse

THE first major Irish involvement in the International Day of Persons with a Disability took place recently with public buildings illuminated in purple.

Started originally in 1992 by the United Nations, the Purple Light Up event is now gaining ground in Ireland.

The Central Remedial Clinic Day Centre in Firhouse played their part as they formally launched the CRC Purple Ribbon campaign.

Minister of State for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath, spoke at the launch about the theme for the 2019 event, ‘The Future is Accessible’.

“Saying that a person’s disability or health should not dictate the path they take in life,” Minister McGrath said.

“The Government is taking a strategic approach to disability planning through the National Disability Inclusion Strategy.”

CRC Firhouse centre manager, Breda Gavagan, hosted the launch.

“Last year the people here designed a ribbon badge to raise awareness of adults with a physical disability,” she said.

“This year they redesigned it to tie-in with the international event and changed the colour to purple.”