Welcome to Ireland!!

Ireland is GRAND!! Everyone here is very friendly and upbeat which is definitely a positive switch up from Massachusetts. On the first day we arrived Abbey, Sam Amber and I ventured out to town, traveling through the cobblestone pathway (very inaccessible) and ended up in a pub for lunch. The server obviously noticed we were Americans and asked why we were “on holiday.” After explaining our studies we came to find out that the barter was very interested in what we were doing because his brother has a disability. He didn’t specify what disability he had and after asking more detail I’m not sure that he really knew, realizing that perhaps intellectual disability. Wasn’t a popular term that is used in Ireland. This made me question if intellectual/ mental disabilities and physically disabilities are all associated together. He continued to say how he is a provider for his brother and has to pay fifty thousand euros a year in order to support him. This includes services and health care for him. I was interested in his brother’s healthcare services because this is the field I want to study. I asked specifically about his dental provider and he said how he has a difficult time finding a dentist and a doctor that will provide the patient care he needs. Just giving the extra time he needs to feel comfortable around someone new. I thought that this was an ironic start to the trip but a clear sign that there is so much more we can learn about Ireland perspective on disability through locals, because there is so much more than disability in education from which we will be learning from at trinity. I am truly honored to be here and traveling with some great Lads!!!! I’m excited to see what this week will bring.

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