Mr. Alan Porter:

I originally came to this country 13 years ago from Spokane, Washington, in the United States. I was born with a condition called congenital hydrocephalus. I was told I would be able to live more or less like anyone else, with the exception of never being a football captain, which suited me as I was never really a huge sports fan. Throughout the years I found I had fared better than others like me and had not needed any revision or replacement surgeries for the shunt that had been placed in my head when I was five days old. All that changed in 2013 when I learned that I needed a shunt replacement. I put my best face on and went through the procedure. I was left with trouble concentrating, focusing on and memorising things and with some bad balance. Although I had been struggling a little with these things throughout my earlier years, they became more apparent after the surgery. That was a bit of a wake-up call.

After several failed attempts to gain employment, I was introduced to NLN and joined its employability skills training programme. There, I began to reclaim a lot of skills I had thought lost forever due to neurological difficulties. As time passed I found that I was able to function more efficiently and began working in the kitchen at the centre, which, in turn, led to work experience in several different businesses around the area. My time at the centre also gave me the opportunity to work on my social interaction skills, which I had also been struggling with since adolescence. I now have a sizable group of friends in west Cork, whom I tend to consider family.

I graduated with a QQI level 3 qualification in employability skills and enrolled in the level 4 employment skills training course with the support of my head mentor, where I continue to further my skills in matters of employment. Shortly before the pandemic I had also secured some work experience at a coffee shop in Skibbereen but when things spiralled out of control, everything got cut to the bare minimum in terms of work time. Some time after that, I finally moved to Bantry. Things were still a bit shaky around restrictions and employment. I gained valuable work experience at a local bar and restaurant called The Quay's Bar and under the watchful eye of my employer, I learned new skills and tasks. I enjoy the role I was given working behind the scenes, performing all different sorts of tasks from dishwashing to moving and placing stock, and feeling part of the team. After The Quay's Bar mentored me, my skills improved and the outcome could not be more positive. After completing my training programme with NLN I was able to secure paid part-time employment in the bar. I do not believe for a moment that this could have been possible without my time at NLN. I feel I owe the staff there and at The Quay's, as well as my adopted nation, a debt I could never repay.