Holiday Booklet Holiday Booklet - mdi.ie · Holiday Booklet Holiday Booklet . Overview: This...
Transcript of Holiday Booklet Holiday Booklet - mdi.ie · Holiday Booklet Holiday Booklet . Overview: This...
This booklet has been
devised to help parents
whose child will be
attending an MDI holiday
for the first time.
FOR
PARENTS
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland
Holiday Booklet Holiday Booklet
Overview: This booklet has been devised to help par-
ents whose child will be attending holiday
for the first time. Throughout the year MDI
organises 3 week long breaks. The groups
are generally split in accordance of ages.
Group 1: 12– 15 years
Group 2: 15-17 years
Group 3: 11-14 years
For 2015 the camps for members will be
held in Kilcuan Lodge, Clarinbridge, Co.
Galway as this centre is best suited to the
needs of the group.
The Accommodation: Kilcuan Lodge: Run by the Irish Pilgrim
Trust in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway. The
Lodge is situated on a quiet road surrounded
by woods, it is very tranquil. It is due to the
woods that mobile phone reception is not
great. There is a public phone (Tel:091
796917) which parents can ring. The centre
has a living room style area with a flat screen
TV, tables that are big enough for meal times
and activities, a kitchenette and is very spa-
cious. It is very homely, the centre is always
warm and has under floor heating. There is a
separate well-serviced kitchen and we buy
food for breakfasts, lunches and snacks.
There are 16 bedrooms. All rooms are en-
suite and accessible. Please note that mem-
bers or staff will not have keys for their
rooms. There are 2 electric beds and MDI
often bring 2 more that are assembled on
site. There is no shortage of pillows, sheets,
blankets etc. Laundry facilities are limited
so it is advised to pack enough clothes for
the week. The space outside is ideal for
power soccer, obstacle courses etc. You can
get more information on the lodge by visit-
ing www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com
There will not be any other groups staying at
the same time as we are there.
Clarenbridge is a small village with a PO,
primary school, church, pharmacy, hair-
dresser and a doctors surgery. Claren-
bridge is a short drive to Oranmore and
about 25 minutes into Galway (depending on
traffic).
Please remember to pack towels, as they
are not provided at the lodge.
Food: Please ensure to inform MDI if your child has
any dietary requirements. If your child
needs something in particular, eg they will
only eat a certain type of cereal then it may
be best to send some in case that type is not
in the selection we buy.
For breakfast there are the usual suspects -
cereals (weetabix, cornflakes, rice krispies,
coco pops, porridge, cheerios), fruit, yo-
ghurts, toast, scrambled eggs, scones etc.
We would normally have lunch at the centre
– sandwiches, wraps, bagels, omelettes or
crackers. If you are heading out for an activ-
ity we will bring a packed lunch with us or
eat out – if this is the case the cost will be
covered by MDI.
In general we have our evening meals in Kil-
cuan Lodge. Usually there is a pizza night
and a Chinese night. On the other evenings
caterers cook the evening meal. There are
two choices and we check early in the day
that there is something everyone likes and if
not we organise an alternative for them.
Common choices include – chicken curry,
spaghetti bolognaise, lasagne, roast chick-
en, homemade burgers, and cod. Sides in-
clude wedges, chips, rice, baked potatoes
and salad.
Equipment: As already mentioned there are 2 electric
beds in the centre and MDI brings 2 more.
If your child needs one of these beds it must
be specified on their application form to en-
sure their comfort. MDI also brings hoists,
toilet chairs and shower chairs, bed levers,
bed sides and sliding sheets. Some mem-
bers do bring their own shower chairs and
mattresses and this is perfectly ok but
please do inform us if this is the case so as
there will be enough room on the bus. Most
members bring their own slings, labelled,
MDI do have some but it is better for the
member to have their own sling. Should
you require anything more regarding
equipment you should contact the camp co-
ordinator.
Staff: Staff include Youth & Respite Workers, nurs-
es, PA’s and MDI’s bus driver. All staff are
Garda vetted and core staff are trained in
patient lifting, first aid and children first.
Many of the PA’s and nurses work with MDI
throughout the year and are familiar with
the needs of our members. New staff will
be paired up with experienced staff. On
camps staff work in pairs and normally look
after 2 members. These pairings are for as-
sisting members to get up in the morning
and go to bed at night. Members can ask
any member of staff to help them through-
out the day–mealtimes, toileting etc. There
will always be two night staff minimum, 1
nurse and 1 PA. They are to help with night
turning and toileting. It is the same 2 staff
that works nights for the week.
There is a nurse on during the day as well.
He/she will administer medication and all
med’s will be given to him/her on arrival.
He/she will have a copy of the application
form detailing medications. If anyone has
dressings or other medical needs he/she
will take care of them also.
Activities: Outings are usually organised before holi-
day takes place and closer to the time you
will receive a letter from the camp co-
ordinator informing you of activities
booked. You can expect shopping, cinema,
bowling and swimming. Other common ac-
tivities include Aquarium, archery, visits to
local historical sites eg Athenry Castle,
making of films etc.
In the evening time activities will be organ-
ised for the members. These include treas-
ure hunts, obstacle courses, quizzes, arts
and crafts, DVD’s, board games, talent show
and there is a Wii and playstation that are
available (we do sometimes limit time on
the playstation so all members get a go and
so as members do not spend their week
playing playstation!)
Transport: You will be informed about meeting points
and times closer to the holiday. We cannot
pick members up at their homes as this
would make the journey time to Claren-
bridge too long. The same meeting points
are usually used for the return journey.
FAQ: How will my child let the night staff know
they need them?
MDI provide members who require assis-
tance at night with bell pushers to alert
night staff. Each member will have their
‘own tune’ so staff will know immediately
who needs them.
What if my child wants/needs to go home
early?
If this happens and a driver can be spared
then usually MDI will meet a parent some-
where half way between Clarenbridge and
wherever their home is. Due to drivers be-
ing needed at camp we cannot drop mem-
bers all the way home.
How much money should my child
bring?
MDI covers the cost of accommodation,
food, entrance fees to activities eg cinema
tickets, transport and staff. On the cinema
outing MDI will cover the cost of the ticket, a
small drink and popcorn if the member
wants anything extra they will have to pay
for this themselves. If members are re-
quired to make a contribution to an activity
you will be informed before camp. This is
not very often and no one has to take part if
they do not want to. Members usually do
bring money to go shopping with and buy
extras – eg if we go down to the village shop
they might want to buy sweets. MDI is not
responsible for money a member brings on
camp and they are expected to take respon-
sibility for it themselves.
What if my child does not want to take
part in an activity?
Not everyone is going to want to take part in
everything. No one has to do anything they
do not want to do. An alternative will be of-
fered based on how many members want to
do a different activity.
My child is nervous about someone other
than a parent taking care of them.
This is to be expected. Personal care is pro-
vided with the utmost sensitivity and discre-
tion. We will try to pair members with staff
that they know and feel comfortable with. It
is a good idea that if your family works with
a Youth & Respite worker that they could be
there one morning at your own house to
help with the morning routine. This might
help make the child and parent more at
ease on this issue.
My child wants a room on his/her own.
There are 16 rooms at the centre. Three of
these are single rooms. We usually try to
give the night staff a room each as they
need to sleep during the day and two of
these rooms are far away from the living ar-
ea. The third single room is near the top of
the corridor. This room has a carpet in it
(none of the other rooms do) making it un-
suitable for the use of a hoist. This room will
be assigned to a member we feel it is ap-
propriate for. The other rooms are spacious
with separate wardrobe space and a locker
for each member.
Items to pack:
• Suitable outer wear for Irish weather
• Plenty of towels – especially if your child
wants to go swimming
• Swim wear
• Toiletries - Shower gel, face
cloth/sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste,
hairbrush, shampoo and conditioner,
hair gel
• Sling if applicable
• Urinal if applicable
• Charger for chair, with member’s name
on it, if applicable
• Phone charger
• Any sleep system your child uses – spe-
cial cushions etc
• Medications
• Enough underwear for the week
• Incontinence pads if applicable
Please note:
MDI cannot be responsible for any electri-
cal equipment your child wishes to bring
with them e.g. mobile phones, lap tops,
Ipods, DS Lite’s, playstation games etc. If
your child brings these with them they will
be the one responsible for them and we can
only advise to have their name clearly visi-
ble on such items.
We hope that the information contained in
this booklet has been helpful. It you have
any more questions/queries please do not
hesitate to contact your Youth Respite
Worker or the holiday co-ordinator.
Muscular Dystrophy
Ireland
75 Lucan Road
Chapelizod
Dublin 20
Tel: (01) 6236414
Fax: (01) 6208663
Website: www.mdi.ie