<div>My name is Richard. I am 28, live in Northern Ireland and have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This is a progressive muscle wasting disease that affects my skeletal muscles as well as my heart and lungs. I was diagnosed at the age of 3 and since then have progressively lost the ability to move my body. This means I am unable to do everyday tasks like eating, showering and controlling my wheelchair without the help of my carers. It also means I have complex medical needs which need monitoring 24/7 and I have been completely ventilator dependant for the last five years.
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<div>There are many people who like me have additional needs and are unable to walk. This means we need additional specialised equipment to help us get through the day. These aids include a hospital type bed, air flow mattresses, specialised supportive shower chairs and a hoist which allows us to be transferred from a wheelchair into bed or the bathroom. Currently there is no seaside holiday accommodation in Northern Ireland that provides this equipment in their accessible rooms. This means people like me with other neurological diseases or life changing accidents cannot have a vacation with their family, friends and carers in Northern Ireland.
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<div>Last summer after 17 months of shielding I was able to enjoy a short break in Donegal in a fully equipped specialised accommodation for disabled people like me. On the way home I became increasingly frustrated that due to lack of facilities people with complex needs can’t experience a holiday like this in Northern Ireland  and cannot experience a few days away from home. Many disabled people with complex needs want to live as full a life as possible with their, family, friends, and caregivers. Hoist Assisted Holidays, hopes to be able to give this opportunity to the disabled people of Northern Ireland.
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<div>My goal is to raise money to kickstart our non- profit company, Hoist Assisted Holidays. What we are looking to create is a seaside accommodation in a bespoke lodge that can offer all of these things in a beautiful location and allow disabled people and their loved ones to have a holiday that they deserve. It will be located at Atlantic View Caravan Park in Ballycastle and will have stunning views of Rathlin Island and the Atlantic Ocean.
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<div>It’s hard to ask you to imagine what’s it’s like to live in my shoes as at times it’s so very different from your own life. I hope that through this small glimpse into my life you can see what it’s like to live with complex needs and that a simple thing you might take for granted like a holiday can really be very difficult for someone like me.
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<div>There are so many who would love the chance to explore more of Northern Ireland and spend a few nights away from home but right now it’s not a possibility. Can you help me give this opportunity to the disabled community in Northern Ireland and others who would like to visit? Give them a chance to have a holiday in an environment that safely meets all their care needs. Everyone deserves a holiday, and we want to offer exactly that. Any donations big or small are very much appreciated.
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<div>For more information about me, our community and our plans for our non profit company Hoist Assisted Holidays follow the link below to our Instagram page. Thank you.<br /><br />
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<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hoist_assisted_holiday/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/hoist_assisted_holiday/</a>
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Ashfield Girls High School

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Help Richard Build Hoist Assisted Holidays in NI.

Help Richard Build Hoist Assisted Holidays in NI.

Still £159,179 to go. Help us build momentum.