Ms Jacqui Browne:

To add to what Ms Cassidy said and to specifically respond to the Senator's question on care and intervention, it is not for me or for Ms Cassidy to identify and tell the committee the care and intervention needs of thalidomide survivors but I will highlight a medical fact. We are very fortunate in the thalidomide community and internationally that we have a couple of very interested epidemiologists who have spent their entire professional lives researching, among other issues, the epidemiology of thalidomide survivors worldwide. One interesting medical fact, and we know it because we are living it, is that while we are all roughly 60 years of age, our bodies are like those of people who are 80 or 85 years. Therefore, one must factor that aspect into our ongoing future needs, be they physiotherapy, occupational therapy, equipment, new cars or whatever. It is impossible to give a nice list of the care and intervention needs.

This goes back to us being unique. Each one of the 40 people is unique. Some have very high-level needs. One member and survivor needs a very high level of care and support while there are others who might appear to have fewer care and intervention needs. It concerns very practical matters. I cannot do a weekly shop on my own because I cannot lift stuff. I live on my own so I need support to do that. I could pay €8 for home delivery and might not get what I want because I have to pick it off a menu on a computer. That does not represent choice, freedom and control. They are the practical simple examples. It would be wrong of us to prescribe, suggest and give the committee a list of our care and intervention needs today. We wish to highlight our need to have choice and control over our lives and the need for the State to show flexibility in its response to meeting us where we have identified our unique needs.