A man from Delvin in Westmeath is hoping to become the first person with DS in Ireland to hold a senior position in a political party.
Fintan Bray, who is already a member of Fianna Fail’s Disability Forum, is currently on a mission to convince his fellow party members to vote for him to be elected to the National Executive, or ‘Committee of 15’ which was established as a commission on the aims and objectives of the party in the wake of the its poor electoral performance in 2020.
Independant Westmeath reported that Fintan gave a “powerful speech” to Westmeath Fianna Fail Cumann’s recent AGM in which the 28 year old outlined why he wishes to be elected.
“I had to work very hard as a child, probably five to six times harder than anyone else, to walk, to talk, to read, to write. I was 12 before I could ride a bicycle, thanks to my brother for helping me.
“It was a battle for my parents to make sure I could go to our local national school where my brothers and sister went. The same applied to St Finian’s and Cavan Institute.”
Speaking of his previous struggles securing work Fintan said, “The big battle only started when I went looking for work. Thanks to places like the Annebrook, the Park Hotel and the Greville Arms who gave me work experience.”
He described how Down’s Syndrome Ireland had put him “in touch with Clonabreaney House. Clonabreaney House is a wedding venue between Kells and Oldcastle. I was excited when I went for an interview and got offered the job.” Fintan said he had been working at that job for four years saying, “I am still working there today. I work in Meet and Greet and serve tea and coffee to the guests on arrival.”
“This is why I want to get on to the Committee of 15. I want my voice heard and the voice of the people I represent.”
He continued, “I would like to see that people with a disability will not have to work as hard as me to get a proper education and meaningful jobs.”
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner he said that he “wants to be a role model for young children with disabilities and that he wouldn’t have achieved as much as he has without the love and support from his family.”
“A lot of people have said that I am a role model and that makes me feel very emotional…My family are my life. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am now…They don’t care that I was born with Down syndrome, they don’t care that I was born with a disability. They are just proud to call me their son.”
