Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Everyone knows why I wanted to be a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters. My sister inspires me. She is my driving force every time I engage with the committee and in every act I do in this regard. I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I am grateful for all of their comments. What has come across is being othered, not being heard, not being listened to and not having access to grants or equity in society. People cannot just get on with life. They feel like they are begging for their best self when their best self is theirs. They should be advocates and should have autonomy over their own futures and selves.

My question is for Ms Ulpe, Ms Wehrly and Ms Casserly. It is a general question. They have a hidden illness. I also have an autoimmune disease. How hard was it for them to get heard and listened to by the medical profession and even to be believed? On the outside people look okay but on the inside they are crumbling. People struggle along and they do not feel heard. What was the experience of the witnesses in getting diagnosed and the pathway to diagnosis?

The witnesses all articulated very clearly how they struggle constantly to get things and to get answers. Ms Wehrly spoke about Facebook groups and being brought down a rabbit hole. I have been that person too and brought down rabbit holes to think a cocktail of turmeric or parsley or whatever could help me. Many issues have been discussed. What three things would they change tomorrow? Would they include an independent advocacy service or employment rights and supports being moved to a different Department? Would they include a different attitude? How do we change from a medical viewpoint to a social viewpoint to help people, as opposed to making them sicker or to make them look like they are just a sick person or just a person with a chronic illness. We are very aware there is so much more to everybody than just one label. I thank the witnesses.