Famous RTÉ broadcaster presents certificate to talented Kildare actor

A young actor from Newbridge was presented with a certificate by none other than famous RTÉ broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan.

Newbridge man Conor O’Donnell recently completed a media training course with the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), which was offered to disabled people (self-advocates) over four Mondays in March.

Conor is interested in the world of media and TV and recently starred in the Apple TV+ hit series Bad Sisters, alongside Eve Hewson and Sharon Horgan.

The DFI welcomed Miriam O’Callaghan to present the certificates to the class in the DFI offices in Dublin on Monday, March 27 last.

Miriam offered wonderful encouragement to the self-advocates and highlighted the importance of sharing their story as the experts in disability, and especially the lived experience.

Speaking to Conor, Miriam said she 'looks forward to the day he is standing on the stage in LA with his Oscar, following in the footsteps of James Martin!'

Other self-advocates who completed the course include: Michael Meere from Limerick , John Doyle from Limerick, Catherine Cooper from Dublin, Dympna Minaguchi from Mullingar, Shannon O’Farrell-Molloy from Wexford, Brian D’Arcy from Galway and Karen Smith from Dublin

WHAT IS SELF-ADVOCACY?

Self-advocacy is the action of communicating and representing one’s needs, views or interests.

Essentially, it is about understanding your rights, speaking up, taking action and taking control of one’s life.

Effective self-advocacy means that a person has good information, training, the right support when needed, opportunities to learn by doing, confidence in themselves and will understand that self-advocacy can be at an individual or group level.