Gina (Regina) Grant, maiden name Curran, is from Glencar Irish in Letterkenny. She is a well-known activist for children’s health and education.
(Pictured above is Gina with her mum Eileen Curran)
Gina is a mother of six children, two of whom have special needs. She is a co-chair of the Special Needs Parents Association and a founding member of Our Children’s Voice, a group of Donegal parents who campaign for the provision of children’s palliative care. Gina was honoured as Donegal’s Carer of the Year in 2013.
She is the PRO of the Donegal Down Syndrome Association. She is on the board of the Donegal ETB and Donegal CYPSC (Children and Young People’s Services Committee).
Gina says: “I am firstly a proud mother of a great bunch of wains/children. The diversity in our house I absolutely adore (noise and washing not so much). I suppose I’m secondly an activist. I advocate for all to be seen and respected regardless of ability or disabilities. I hope that full inclusion in our society is possible.”
Gina Grant and Family: Sam, Edward, Liam, Gina, Eddie, Krissi Nicole (holding grandson) Ciaran, Francis (Gina’s youngest),Christopher and her grandson Scot
This is Gina Grant’s My Donegal…
Where is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
I’ve a few, one is Malin Head Banbas Crown – we went there with four young children while we were having our picnic, a few people were passing we got chatting, we shared our picnic with them turns out they were a touring traditional Irish music band (can’t remember their names) they played for us is was a fantastic day. Any beach in Donegal, can’t choose one.
How do you like to spend Christmas in the county?
At home with loads of family around. I always spend Christmas Day with my Mum and Dad, this year was extra special my sister and her family moved back from America so they joined us for Christmas.
Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
Oh this is a good question.. there are so many strong people here in Donegal I have to say I admire Fr Kelly his strength of faith and humility he is so giving and never seems stressed or annoyed in anything he does, always willing to help.
Charlie Gallagher (Falcarragh) he was one of the parents who helped start up the Donegal Down syndrome Association, total respect to him and the others who kept the association strong it’s been a massive support to my family since Christopher was born 10 years ago.
Eddie (Gina’s Husband), Edward,Liam, Gina, Christopher, Gina’s mother in law Bridget Grant (holding Gina’s grandson, Bridget’s great grandson) Ciaran, Nicole (holding Gina’s grandson, her son) Scot, and baby Francis
What do you think is Donegal’s best tourist attraction?
Donegal itself – There isn’t one place in Donegal that isn’t gorgeous, every area in Donegal seems to carry its own personality- I love that!
Do you prefer Donegal summers or Donegal winters?
I have to say I absolutely love snow days…. so must be winter for me lol
What would you do on your ideal day out in Donegal?
Love going over to Arranmore – always have great time there all the children love it too
What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
Haha I’m going back to my childhood here:
Football special is great
Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
It has to be Daniel O Donell. He is known everywhere. I’ve never met him but he comes across very genuine.
What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
We don’t go out too often but I love the Firebox Grill in Fahan.
If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
I would love to see respite and end of life care for children with high complex needs here in Donegal
What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
“It’s better to mind your speech, than speak your mind”.
What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
Transport links- most of the services we avail of are in Dublin or Galway a motorway and accessible public transport for those with disabilities. Families with sick children have to travel to Dublin hospitals the roads are terrible and public transport isn’t available for children with wheelchairs.
If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
Oh lord ……
I’d love it to be more accessible having an older disabled child we are very limited to where we can go. I’d also love a railway (that would take more than a million!)
Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
Well it just has to be Donegal voted the coolest place on the planet, according to National Geographic!!
