Co Kildare mother says 'no definite location and no time frame' for badly needed new special needs school

A Co Kildare mother whose son suffers from a rare disorder is still fighting for a new primary school, several years on.

This July, Jack McNiffe, who attends St Raphael’s special school, Celbridge,turns 13.

He is in a wheelchair due to arthritis, caused by Chronic Infantile Neurological Cutaneous Articular(CINCA), a rare inflammatory disease, with symptoms including skin rash, articular and central nervous system complications. He also has Down Syndrome.

His mother, Aisling, says that there is a real need for a new school for St Raphael’s.

She said: “We are always fighting for things, there is no definite location and no time frame. We are constantly adding on pre-fabs.”

Ms McNiffe worries about where her son will attend when he turns 18.

She said: “There is not enough  special needs schools in Co Kildare. It is scary thinking about where he will go when he turns 18, so many parents have issues with transport. I am not sure where he will go and this is something I will have to start looking into.”

Meanwhile, this Saturday, a fashion show and ladies lunch will be held at Beckett’s Hotel, Leixlip, in aid of St Raphael’s special school.

St. Raphael’s caters for children aged  five to 18 years old with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities and Autism. 76 pupils attend the school.

Ms McNiffe said: “We need to fundraise to ensure all the children have access to appropriate ways to learn and enrich their lives. They all have the ability to reach their own full potential.”

She said: “The parent’s association runs events a few times during the year to ensure we always have enough funds to provide for our children. It is a wonderful school and children travel from far and wide to attend. We have a wonderful Principal Kathy Waldron and wonderful secretary, nurses, SNAs and caretakers. We know how lucky we are. This is the second time to run the ladies lunch and we do it every two years.”

It all kicks off at 12.30pm this Saturday, June 16.