A Cavan-based charity which has delivered 1,000 ‘baskets of love’ to new babies with Down Syndrome and their families has been honoured with an Oireachtas Human Dignity Award.
The ninth Human Dignity Award was presented to Sinéad Fidgeon, a mum-of-five who started the charity ‘The Perfect Gift’ to support other mums and families of babies born with Down Syndrome.
Sinéad’s youngest child, Grace, now eleven, was born with the chromosomal condition. Shortly afterwards, in 2015, “A Perfect Gift” was born. Sinéad, a nurse, set up the charity with her husband Martin McBreen, a farmer.
The award was also presented to Hub 21, a charity founded in 2016 by Sinéad and Martin, alongside Mary Hall, whose 10-year-old son Jack has Down’s Syndrome.
Hub 21 organises and provides social activities, services, and information to children with the condition and their families. Its services are accessible to families in Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Clare and Louth.
The Human Dignity Award is presented every year by Senator Rónán Mullen with the support of the All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group to a person or group who have displayed an exemplary dedication to advancing the cause of human dignity.
The group’s mission is to promote an authentic vision of human rights in the Oireachtas and in civil society, emphasising the right to life and dignity of every human person.
Speaking in Leinster House last night, Sinéad said that it is “too often” the case that instead of hearing “congratulations” when a baby is born with Down’s Syndrome, parents hear “I’m sorry.”
She decided to start the charity based on her own experience, because “these babies, just like every baby, deserve to be celebrated.”
“Mums of babies born with Down Syndrome don’t often hear ‘congratulations’ but instead they might hear ‘I’m sorry’,” Sinéad said last night.
“So many parents hear the words ‘I’m sorry’ after the birth of a baby with Down syndrome. There is often a lack of congratulations, and it can be a very overwhelming time for new parents.
“We even had people commiserate with us after Grace was born. I wanted in some small way to make sure every parent hears the words ‘congratulations’ and to say that their baby is just perfect,” Sinéad said.
1000 BASKETS DELIVERED
“So, 10 years ago we delivered our first basket to a new baby in Crumlin hospital. The basket included beautiful gifts for the mum and baby as well as a personalised letter to say congratulations and to welcome them to the Down syndrome Community.
“We also invited them to our private online support group where they could connect with other new parents and get support. Right after we started we started hearing about more and more babies. We started driving all over the country to deliver baskets to new parents and to meet their perfect little ones.
“To date we have delivered over 1000 baskets to every corner of Ireland. I meet with many new parents as well as expectant parents and, while no one wants to sugar coat what challenges a child may have, it is also so important to stress the positives for which there are so many.”
At a dinner marking the award on Thursday night, Sinéad said that on their busiest year, the charity delivered 200 gift baskets. However, in recent years the number has been lower – around 80 baskets were delivered last year – with less babies being born with Down’s Syndrome.
In 2022, the master of the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Prof Fergal Malone, said that about 95 per cent of parents whose babies are diagnosed with Down syndrome at the hospital choose to have an abortion.
Sinéad, along with Grace, personally deliver the “baskets of love” to the hospital bed or home of newborn babies with the condition, which provides Sinéad with a chance to talk to new parents and share some insights regarding her own experience.
Senator Sharon Keogan, who is part of the Human Dignity Award Committee led by Senator Ronan Mullen, said:
“It was lovely to present this year’s award to Sinead Fidgeon of The Perfect Gift. This charity supports mothers and families of babies born with Down syndrome. Each family receives a newborn gift basket.”
In July, the charity delivered its 1000th basket to a baby and mum in County Leitrim. In a touching Facebook post, Sinead wrote: “It’s so hard to believe that we have delivered 1000 baskets all over Ireland to such beautiful babies and their families. We are so grateful to all that have supported us on this journey.”
That post led to an outpouring of support, particularly from those who have been part of the journey as new parents.
“It was a special moment receiving my basket in the early days when I hadn’t found a community yet but knew that I was part of something bigger and special,” one mum wrote.
“Wow 1000 boxes of love. It meant so much for us to receive our box 8 years ago. Keep up the great work Sinéad and Grace,” said another.
“I will never forget the day that basket arrived. I cried my heart out,” said another grateful mum.
‘SIGNIFICANT FALL’ IN NUMBER OF BABIES BORN WITH DOWN SYNDROME
Aontú Senator Sarah O’ Reilly, who is also a member of the Life and Dignity Group in Leinster House said:
“The award is a happy occasion aimed at recognising exceptional people for their wonderful humanitarian work.
“Recipients are a Hall of Fame of the best people Ireland has in terms of humanitarian work.
“Sinead Fidgeon has delivered over 1000 precious gift baskets to babies born with Down Syndrome since her baby Grace was born on 2015.
“Sinead was shocked at the lack of congratulations on the birth of her baby and whilst acknowledging there are challenges, she prefers to celebrate the positives by welcoming every new baby born in Ireland born with Down Syndrome by giving them a “Precious Gift” basket.
“She drives all over the country delivering baskets and her work is now being copied in Australia,” said the Senator.
The Aontú senator continued:
“Unfortunately, with screening, there has been a significant fall in the numbers of babies born with Down Syndrome, 95% of parents decide to terminate, with only 80 babies born in 2024”.
“We really need to think about the narrative around Down Syndrome. Little babies born with Down Syndrome are not a burden. They are not ‘imperfect; yes they will have challenges , their parents and families will have challenges but they are perfectly beautiful and a gift .
“It is so fitting that Sinead has called her humanitarian work ‘The Perfect Gift ‘because it really is and I want to commend her and her Husband Brian for their compassion, their warmth and their love not only for their own gorgeous little girl Grace , but their love for other little people born with Down Syndrome.”
“As Legislators it is our duty to support people who face challenges. We need to make sure that sufficient help and services are available for people whose babies do have Down Syndrome. It is only through genuinely supporting people that we give them real choice.”