12-year-old carer Cara's testing fundraiser
One of Ireland’s Young Carers of the Year Cara Darmody from Ardfinnan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary is about to take on Leaving Certificate Maths at the age of 12 to raise funds for families and children that are in absolute crisis.
People may remember Cara sat the Junior Cycle maths exam in June last year (aged 11) and achieved a remarkable 97% grade. She did this Maths challenge in order to raise awareness of the issues facing families just like hers such as the lack of access to timely autism assessments and the lack of services/therapies.
Cara helps her mum and dad care for her two brothers Neil (10) and John (6), both of whom are autistic. Neil was diagnosed initially with autism and a mild/moderate intellectual disability. He is non-verbal, has little or no comprehension, needs full-time care and is a constant danger to himself as he self-harms through hitting and biting. He has recently received a correct diagnosis on the profound range of intellectual disability. Denying Neil early intervention and supports has resulted in significant trauma for him and all the family. Cara’s younger brother John was able to access supports much earlier and as a result has far less behaviours that challenge and is doing far better as a result of these early interventions.
Cara’s incredible advocacy work in calling for improved supports and services for families like hers have brought her in front of the Taoiseach, the Tainiste and almost every senior Minister in this country. She goes to Leinster House once a week to advocate for change. But she will not stop there. She wants to continue to raise much needed funds for the two National charities that have helped her with her work todate who are Family Carers Ireland and AsIam; and for two schools very close to her heart – Scoil Chormaic Special School in Cashel and Ardfinnan National School in her home village.
Money that she has raised to date has gone towards providing children in crisis with much needed autism assessments and therapies such as psychology, occupational therapy and speech & language. It has also provided crisis funding for families in desperate need of support paying for counselling, vital therapies and Needs assessment, special equipment and much more. We are aware of families in poverty who could never have paid for those assessments & therapies only for Cara's fundraiser.
Cara is determined that no family should have to go through what hers have and continue to do.
HOW TO SUPPORT FUNDRAISER
To support Cara’s Maths Challenge go to Go Fund Me - Cara's Mount Everest Maths Challenge, and donate.