Co Kildare girl wins national award for writing about disabilities

A Co Kildare primary school student has been awarded for writing an essay that put herself into the 'shoes of someone disabled and tried to write what they can't say.' Sixth -class pupil at Caragh National School, Honor O'Donovan, attended a ceremony at Farmleigh House, in the Phoenix Park, with her parents and sister, on Thursday last.  Her essay 'Someone Like Me', was part of a national essay competition for primary schools. The students in attendance were shortlisted for their entries, which saw a mix of written and video essays, with many showcasing their own disabilities or those of their friends and families, all with a common theme of celebration. 12 -year-old Honor O'Donovan said: "Many different things inspired me to write my essay but the thing that inspired me the most was that I've always thought society believes that being disabled means you aren't normal; sometimes disabled people aren't seen as "people". The disability is seen first and not the person underneath. I believe the reason I have won is that I was able to put myself in the shoes of someone disabled and tried to write what they can't say." Minister of State for New Communities, Culture, Equality and Drugs Strategy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, presented her with the award.