Anglo-Celt Rehab Cavan Person of the Year 2010 nominees - Petrea Ruddy
When a Spina Bifida support group was founded in the Cavan and Monaghan area in 1970, Petrea became strongly involved. She has championed the cause for 41 years so far, serving as chairperson for about 16 years.
Petrea sourced funding for and set up The New Irish Association For Spina Bifida, which she still chairs.
Among the life-changing work the group does for its 44 members:
• it provides computers and printers for all members aged over 10;
• it funds a computer teacher and national school teacher to give members grinds;
• it funds driving lessons and give €1,300 towards the first year's insurance costs;
• and importantly, it pays for private health insurance for anyone who can't afford it.
Petrea, a mother of six, has worked at the SVP night shelter in Cavan every Wednesday night as well as Christmas and Stephen's Day for the last 26 years - she worked on the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes for 10 years and still collects for it.
"That's what Christmas is about for me - sharing," she says. She adds that the Spina Bifida group members are an inspiration. "They give me the energy. They just get on with it. When they get to the workplace, it's the able-bodied person beside them who's learning from them."
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