Morning Focus – Monday September 19th 2016

Health insurance expert, Dermot Goode, warns that Ireland is heading back to the “bad old days” of regular private health insurance price increases.

Dermot, a health insurance analyst with totalhealthcover.ie, said some health insurance companies are raising prices twice a year, and in some cases, more often.

Dermot spoke to Gavin about it.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

This week is Meningitis Awareness Week and it is run by Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF). The charity estimates that there are around 200 cases of meningitis and septicaemia every year in the Ireland. They are deadly diseases that can strike without warning, killing one in ten, and leaving a third of survivors with life altering after-effects ranging from deafness and brain damage to loss of limbs. Babies, toddlers and young adults are most at risk but the disease can strike at any age. From December 2016 babies born on or after 1st October 2016 will be routinely offered a vaccine to protect against MenB from December 2016 however there is no catch up campaign planned for older children.

John Sheedy from Killaloe, is sharing his first-hand experience of meningitis and septicaemia during national Meningitis Awareness Week to ensure people are aware of the symptoms, know to be vigilant and act fast.

“My son, Noel, tragically lost his life to group B meningococcal septicaemia (MenB) when he was seven years old. Children in Ireland are not routinely vaccinated against MenB so he was not protected against that strain of meningitis. That’s why it’s so important that parents know the symptoms of meningitis, trust their instincts and seek medical advice without delay. If I can help save even one other family from the pain that we are still going through, it would be worthwhile.”

John came into studio to tell us about his son Noel.

 

FIE has joined in the announcement of the launch of #NatureTrumpsWalls, an international campaign to defeat the controversial Irish seawall proposal by U.S. Presidential Candidate Donald Trump. The campaign directs people to sign the online petition, urging Clare County Councilors to reject the seawall proposal at Doughmore Beach that would limit access, and destroy the surf break and pristine dune ecosystem.

FIE Director – Tony Lowes was on the show to discuss the campaign with Gavin.

 

In our Garda Focus slot, Sgt Joe Downey came in to studio to seek the public's help in solving some recent crimes.

 

In October 2010, stuck in a negative work environment, severely overweight, single, and feeling the world and would be better off without him, Breifne Earley made the decision to end his own life.

Less than five years later he was first across the finish line of the longest endurance sports event in the world, the 30,000km long World Cycle Race.

This is the extraordinary and inspirational story of how one man stepped back from the brink of suicide, redesigned his life and then spent sixteen months cycling through 27 countries on 5 continents with 3 robberies, 3 crashes and 44 flat tyres to become a living, breathing example of the life-saving message “It’s okay not to feel okay.”

Breifne took some time out from today's cycling to have a chat with Gavin about how he has changed his life and also about his book 'Pedal The Planet' which is being launched in Ennis next Sunday.

 

Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit, international, community-based organization for recovering addicts. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) members learn from one another how to live drug-free and recover from the effects of addiction in their lives.

There is an open meeting taking place in Bushy Park on Friday 23rd September.

'Deirdre' came in to the studio to talk about her own story with addiction, how she found Narcotics Anonymous and how her life is now.

 

The Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic is a charity dedicated to the provision of services to children with special needs living in Co. Clare. Our clinic in Barefield provides therapy to 400 children ranging in ages from 1 month to 18 years of age; services include, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and special education and are supported through events such as our now annual fashion show.

They are hosting a Boutique Fashion Show, with pop up shops and wine reception on Wednesday 21st September in Glor. Doors open at 7pm.

Ann Norton and Tess Purcell spoke to Gavin about the fashion show.

 

Gavin was joined by our Monday Sports Panel. This week Derrick Lynch from Clare FM and Eoin Brennan from the Clare People were in studio to discuss the drawn All-Ireland Football Final and also reviewed all the local sporting from the weekend.

 

Author, Nancy Chambers, was born in Dublin and moved with her family to Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare during “The Emergency”.

She left Ireland for Preston in England as a young adult. She married husband Bill in Coventry, has children Carrie & Alan and became a teacher in craft and design and now lives in Wales.

Her previous book 'Tir na nOg – Aine's Story' tells of life in the Burren during the war years as told by a nine-year-old girl, and especially her relationship with her Grandparents.

She has written a sequel 'Tir na nOg – Moving to Lisdoonvarna' which was launched at the Spa Wells in Lisdoonvarna on Sunday 18th September.

Gavin Spoke to Nancy about her two books and her life in Lisdoonvarna.