The best photo Hands down!

Sean McMahon

A Belturbet father and daughter topped the charts when their lovely photograph caught the imagination of our readers in the ‘Daddy and Me’ online competition, with the most Likes on our Facebook page.

Austin Hands and his daughter Emma are snapped together with their dog Lassie and the camera captured a magic moment in time for posterity. Austin and Kathleen Hands have been caring for their daughter Emma, who was born with ‘Angelman Syndrome’. The condition resulted from having a chromosome missing and has resulted in her being unable speak.
Emma will celebrate her 37th birthday on July 2 and she loves listening to country stars Daniel O’Donnell and Big Tom McBride. The Irish country legend from Monaghan even took time out to visit Emma on his way to playing at a concert in the Slieve Russell in February. She has also met Daniel O’Donnell after his concerts in the Slieve Russell.
When asked how he would describe his relationship with his daughter, Austin said, “absolutely magnificent'.
'It is one I would never want to lose - it is a hard environment, but a very enjoyable and happy one. There were nights we sat up over the years and did not go to bed at all.”
Austin worked for many years for Cavan County Council and had other jobs prior to that and he is glad to say that he was always respectfully facilitated by his employers to bring Emma to hospital. “We went to hospital in Dublin and my wife Kathleen spent weeks in Crumlin on and off.”
A Dr McMenamin in Crumlin put her on treatment and Emma has been seizure free since the age of four. Austin estimated that she was not fully diagnosed until she was 12 years of age.
“Emma has excellent hearing and great understanding of what is going on around her. We have a good understanding of Emma – it is difficult for people who don’t understand her,” he said.
“I know any place she has been cared for has been absolutely wonderful,” said her father.
He also extolled the virtues of the great team in Cavan General when she was in there last March.
“They were absolutely wonderful – they stood out – some of them would still ring and enquire about Emma – it was lovely”.
“Emma loves life in general and likes outings and meeting people – when people speak to her, it is a real treat. If a person ignores here, she would not want to stay – she must be acknowledged,” explained Austin Hands.
He said the staff in Clogher House also have a great understanding of Emma’s ways and enjoys going there.
While Austin and his wife Kathleen have cared for their daughter with great love and dedication over the past 37 years, they have a concern about who will care for her in the future. Her sisters and wider family members adore her and she loves them as well and recognises their voices and knows their names.
While they are very grateful for the Home Help they do receive, but would like more respite care and would also like a reassurance from the decision makers in the HSE soon, as to who will care for Emma in the years ahead when 'God forbid' they as parents are no longer around. “I would love to know where Emma will be after our day. I would also like to think that those who would look after her, would give it the same thought, we put into it. “There does not seem to be any plans for people in wheelchairs who can’t talk or who have no independence,” said Austin Hands.
He concluded by saying it was a “pleasant surprise” that people took time to like the photograph – it was never expected.