Brave Buncrana woman Jennifer Doherty is about to take on one of the most exciting challenges of her life this week as she begins a trek to Mount Everest.
Jennifer, who is blind from birth, is a disability advocate who proves there’s no stopping someone with a goal.
Her dream was to go to Mt Everest base camp, and so on the 27th of April, she will be flying out to Kathmandu to join a trek with a group of intrepid local explorers, led by Letterkenny’s Jason Black.
Jennifer, as always, will be flying the flag for Donegal Centre for Independent Living and inspiring others to get out there and live their lives to the full.
Her adventure has been made possible through the DCIL Opportunity Fund.
The Donegal Centre for Independent Living is the leading provider of Personal Assistant services in Donegal and the organisation is enshrined by the philosophy of independent living. ‘Independent Living’ means that people with a disability want the same life opportunities and choices as everyone else.
With these values in mind, DCIL created the Opportunity Fund and set aside a sum of money with which to finance the fund for three years. DCIL invites donations to ensure this fund can continue for years to come and enable others to realise their dreams and potential.
CEO Rosaleen Doherty said that the availability of this fund is to enable people with disabilities achieve greater independence and empowerment through participation in activities that enhance their confidence to live independently and that require additional monetary assistance.
Jennifer Doherty is of the three awardees for the current distribution of the Opportunity Fund. Jennifer has been receiving a Personal Assistant service from DCIL for fifteen years and has proved herself to be a young woman with a thirst for both adventure and independence.
The public can follow and support this challenge on the Donegal Centre for Independent Living Facebook page, the entire team here wish her every success and fulfilment in her journey!
