Well readers, fear not I am back again. It has been a while. I had an interview and stuff. Didn’t qualify, I apparently failed the Working Through People question. Which is ridiculous because I’m great at getting others to do stuff. I hate actually having to do things myself.
So, the above is the memoir of Martin Naughton. My last post was a review of a play about his life. First things first, the Kindle price was way too high, almost the same as the printed version. Like I purchased it, but I’m a fanatic. The price really needs to be reduced.
The book is much more thorough than the play. In fairness to the playwright he has to tell the whole story over a short time frame but it contains inaccuracies I find frustrating. This is a pivotal character and to me, his life must be detailed correctly. Likewise, the play mentioned occurrences the memoir may have left out. For instance, Martin decides not to go to America to live in the play but it omits the importance of a few visits that he did make. Also, the girlfriend goes to move to America without him in the play but this is not mentioned in the memoir. However, I feel that the incident in the play where the porter wouldn’t help Martin toilet, which is not mentioned in the book is the kind of thing that probably really did happen.
Although it is a memoir, certain aspects and periods of his life are almost completely omitted. It details his first romance, who becomes a lifelong friend but no other. In the notes at the end, it states that there were others but they are not included to protect the privacy of the women. This is somewhat disappointing for a memoir. He could have provided insight into why they didn’t work out or how his disability impacted them.
It starts with his early life in Spiddal. From an early age, he was a good organizer and he made many of the decisions during the construction of the new family home. Unfortunately, signs of his progressive disability were already clear. It appears that it ran in the family, with older sister Mairead, and younger sister Barbara also affected.
He was sent across the country to Baldoyle Hospital with his sister Barbara ostensibly to be rehabilitated but in truth to be institutionalized. This also meant moving from what would have been a very strong Gaeltacht at the time to an English-speaking world. Two major adjustments for any nine-year-old and he is clear about his nights of anguish.
Life in the institution was highly regimented and repetitive, and they were forced to be in their beds long before night had fallen. It was run by an order of nuns. These must have been very dark times for him psychologically. At least there are no allegations of sexual abuse though. Terrible things were happening to children in other institutions at the time.
Gradually his English improved and fortunately, some good volunteers came to the hospital. Two characters, Kitt and Dermot were to play a crucial role in his life. Dermot managed to get the Celtic European Cup-winning team to visit the hospital. This was to have a huge ripple effect leading Martin and others to create a soccer club.
Martin became the chief organizer. It was never really about the sport for him. It was about giving the children in the hospital a better life and their integration with the nondisabled children living in the wider community.
Gradually, his role becomes a paid role and he resides in the hospital as a staff member.
It is clear from the book that Martin has a keen intellect. He leaves that job and takes on a role in the “outside”. This necessitates organizing 24-hour volunteer support. A very formidable task that he managed to do.
His new job led him to pay for his own Assistant after some time.
During a visit to his sister in the States, he comes into contact with the Independent Living Movement. They explain the philosophy to Martin and he spreads it back to Ireland helping to create, although not officially a founder of the first Center for Independent Living in Ireland. He wanted to be free as an independent actor. They apply for European funding to employ Personal Assistants and after a well-run campaign the Irish Government rows in behind it to provide permanent funding. This is what he is justly renowned for.
But what of the movement now?
He admits that there are still problems. Too many are in institutional settings against their wishes. It’s about choice. Some may wish to remain. The likes of Cheshire Homes have changed significantly over the years and now allow more freedom. But many will want the freedom to choose their own lives and that was what Martin Naughton was about.
He stands out as a beacon, not just to those with a disability but to all Irish people.
The disability community now needs future leaders to step up.
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