Chronic Sick Kit - Disability Blogger

It’s 3.30am here in the rehabilitation ward in Navan Hospital. I’m awake after being woken by a patient with Down syndrome being gently brought to the toilet by a Filipino male nurse. He treated him with patience, dignity and genuine compassion.
I arrived here in the early hours of Saturday after suffering a brain aneurysm and a blood clot that caused a TIA. I’m lying here tonight typing this because a doctor, who I believe was from either India or Pakistan acted with extraordinary speed and professionalism. His intervention may have saved my life and certainly spared me a potentially devastating, life-changing stroke.
Since arriving, I’ve been cared for by people from every corner of the world. Filipino, Indian, Pakistani, African, Arab and Eastern European nurses, doctors and healthcare workers working alongside Irish staff, some from our LGBTQ community, under enormous pressure, yet showing all patients dignity and humanity.
An elderly man with dementia became aggressive and abusive towards the nurses. They didn't respond with anger or contempt. They responded with compassion.
One nurse doing my blood pressure noticed the tattoos on my arm, told me she loved them, then leaned over and whispered: “Up the Ra.”
The CT and MRI teams treated me with the same professionalism and kindness. The two women who brought me for my MRI scan were Irish, with parents from Africa and Eastern Europe. Thank you for looking after me.
The cleaners, tea ladies, receptionists and support staff, Irish and immigrants alike, keep this place functioning. Some of the doctors are Muslim women who wear the hijab. When they noticed my Free Palestine band, there was sometimes a knowing smile. No speeches. No grandstanding. Just a quiet understanding.

With so much time on my hands I actually watched a video on Facebook of the grotesque spectacle on O’Connell Street, a so called, Cost of living crisis rally organised by GoFundMe scammer Michelle Keane, the woman who desecrated the GPO, the birthplace of our Republic by previously bringing woman abuser and self confessed UVF/MI5 agent Mark Sinclair to speak at the same spot where Padraig Pearse read the Proclamation in 1916.
The self-styled patriots who claim to speak for Ireland, while directing hatred at Muslims and migrants. The racists, conspiracy theorists and far-right opportunists who dress their prejudice up as concern for the “cost of living”. The usual suspects of lunatics and conspiracy theorists, gombeens like Tom McDonnell demanding that Irish women “breed more” because Muslims are supposedly outbreeding us.
I've spent these past few days being cared for by the very people they tell us to fear.
While they stand on O’Connell Street spewing hatred and lies about migrants destroying Ireland, immigrants are here in Navan Hospital helping to keep sick Irish people alive.
While they preach division, these healthcare workers practice solidarity.
While they talk about who belongs and who doesn't, these men and women simply get on with caring for everyone.
This is the Ireland I believe in.
An Ireland that doesn't judge a person by their skin colour, religion, accent or birthplace.
An Ireland that " Cherishes all the children of the nation equally ".
An Ireland where the vulnerable are cared for and where solidarity matters more than hatred.
I have spent my lifetime believing in an Ireland based on equality, justice and solidarity. Watching what has happened in this hospital has only strengthened that belief.
So to those calling for a race war, I have a simple answer,
You don't speak for me. You don't speak for Ireland.
I know which side I'm on.
The side of the immigrant nurse comforting the vulnerable patient.
The side of the doctor who acted when my life was at risk.
The side of the workers who care for us regardless of who we are.
The side of solidarity, equality and humanity.
And to every doctor, nurse, healthcare assistant, receptionist, cleaner, catering worker and member of staff who has looked after me.
Go raibh míle, míle maith agaibh.
An Phoblach Abu. 🇮🇪
Pól.

Got the goods!! 👏🏻 (at last)