(045) 894 538
[email protected]
The Jack and Jill Children's FoundationThe Jack and Jill Children's FoundationThe Jack and Jill Children's FoundationThe Jack and Jill Children's Foundation
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Family
      • What We Do
      • Model of Care
      • Family Enquiry Form
      • Sibling Support
      • Entitlements & Support
      • Family Resource Centre
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Useful Information
        • Words and Meanings
        • Children’s Palliative Care
        • Service User Privacy Notice
    • Professionals
      • What We Do
      • Model of Care
      • Criteria for Referral
      • Referral Pathway
      • Send a Referral
      • Nursing Team Contacts
    • Nurses
      • Information for Nurses
      • Nurse Registration Form
      • Carer’s Registration Form
      • Resources
  • Support Us
    • Fundraising
      • Create a Fundraiser
      • Community
        • Golf for Jack and Jill
        • Lego Drive
        • School Fundraising
        • Fundraising Ideas
      • Events / Campaigns
        • View All Events
        • Raise the Par with Cathal Golf Event
        • Abseil Challenge
        • Apache Pizza Party Fundraiser
        • Teds Big Day Out
        • #UpTheHill2025
        • Cycle the Ring of Kerry
        • Jack and Jill Marathon Heroes Hub
    • Corporate Partnerships
      • Why Partner with Jack and Jill
      • How You Can Help
      • 100 Hour Heroes
    • Ways to Donate
      • Monthly Giving
      • One-Off Donation
      • In Memory Giving
      • Tax Efficient Giving
      • Wedding Favours
      • Leave a Legacy
    • Charity Boutiques
    • Online Store
      • View Store
      • Book Bundles
      • Gift of Time Cards
      • Teacher Cards
    • incognito 2025
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Our Values
    • Latest News
    • Model of Care
    • Strategy 2027
    • Annual Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Jobs at Jack and Jill
    • Corporate Governance
      • Guide & Privacy Policy
      • Published Accounts
    • Advocacy
  • Contact
  • Donate

An Incredible and Honest Account from our Jack & Jill Mum Joan

    Home Latest News An Incredible and Honest Account from our Jack & Jill Mum Joan
    NextPrevious

    An Incredible and Honest Account from our Jack & Jill Mum Joan

    By Jack and Jill | Latest News | Comments are Closed | 12 March, 2019 | 0

    An incredible and honest account from our Jack & Jill mum Joan, whose son Leo featured on the front page in the Irish Times last week at the launch of INCOGNITO 19.

    “Life takes you by surprise somedays ….
    Seeing myself and Leo on the front page of today’s Irish Times had an unexpected effect on me.
    I feel amazing, I’m excited by life and I feel happy with where I am right now. It’s not that long ago that I wrote about how sad I get sometimes and quite honestly that sadness has permeated many of my days of late. I think deep down I felt resentment that I’ve been forced into this role as Leo’s carer, that my life was a bucket of manure compared to the roses I had so lovingly planted and tended to over the past 20 years of adulthood.
    I had worked hard to become a Physiotherapist, undertaking two undergraduate degrees back to back, spending nearly 10 years in university, then working in some of the best hospitals in the country to gain the skills necessary to become the best professional I could be. I completed a diploma in healthcare management so that I would have the skills to make that transition and ultimately I saw myself being at the coal face of healthcare planning. Being at home caring for my disabled son just wasn’t where I wanted to be, I had plans and life had just served me a good old dose of grown up.
    Sitting here thinking about it I’m pretty sure my inner teenager has been moping around sulking but today I feel like a grown up again, I am so proud of myself but more than that I am so incredibly proud of my beautiful boy. Once again this little Angel has held a mirror up to me and I’ve been forced to look at myself ….. I may be at home caring for him right now but it doesn’t define me. I’m still that kick ass, articulate, intelligent woman that may once have presented at clinical conferences but today we were on the front page of the Irish times …. when have I ever made more of an impact on peoples lives than yesterday and today as Leo’s mum?
    Leo has no expectations of the world, he looks at everything and everybody with wide eyed joy and acceptance for who they are. He loves every single moment of human interaction he has, adoring the social connections of touch and facial expression, my Angel may never learn to speak but he is already more articulate than I could ever hope to be. His smile and laughter lights up a room, even a room full of strangers like yesterday.
    The beautiful photographs of Leo and Paul that I have shared here were brought about by Leos love of people. Paul came over to say hello and I would imagine to test the water and see how this mini human would react to a strange man towering above him, so he waggled a finger at Leo’s hand to say hello and with that Leo laughed excitedly, reached both arms out and lunged forward for Paul to take him. So he did and the rest you can see in the pictures, they speak volumes, of a connection Leo felt and created between him and a man that my mother would have adored to meet was she still with us. A man who happens to have a grandson of a similar age and whom is also called Leo…….
    So there you have it, life takes you by surprise sometimes and these days I’m learning so much about myself, about life and what it means to be a parent caring for her son. I can make it whatever I choose it to be, sullen teenager raging against the unfairness of life or a grown woman embracing the adventure and facing it without expectation. To accept it for what it is and find the joy in the little things especially the human connections we make. Yesterday Leo taught me that while in the grand scheme of things I may not have a big important job nor might I be the most successful person in the room but I can be a beacon of light to those that come after me on this unexpected journey, because at 19 months old, Leo the Angel Lion had a room full of successful people with very important jobs firmly in the palm of his hand using only his smile and love of life. I am Angelmom strong” ❤️?❤️

    Check out Leo the Angel Lion’s Facebook Page

    No tags.

    Related Post

    • From left to right- Kate Fitzgerald, Kathleen Dore, Tara Kirby, Ciara Barry, Kate Feasy, Michelle Fitzgerald, Emma Barry from Patrickswell GAA who are running the Great Limerick Run to raise funds for Children's Charity Close to her heart

      Local Nurse to Run the Regeneron Great Limerick Run for Children’s Charity Close to Her Heart

      By Graham O Mahony | Comments are Closed

      Local nurse Emma Barry is lacing up her runners and taking to the streets of Limerick for this year’s Regeneron Great Limerick Run, raising vital funds for The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, a charityRead more

    • Deirdre Walsh, CEO of Jack and Jill standing with Aine Myler, Mark Hughes, Anton Savage & Kathleen O'Meara holding Charity Excellence Awards cut-outs

      Applications Now Open for the Charities Institute Ireland Excellence Awards

      By Graham O Mahony | Comments are Closed

      “Behind every great charity is a team of passionate, focused, committed individuals making a real difference. These awards recognise their dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence.” – Áine Myler, Chief Executive Officer at Cii CharitiesRead more

    • Alie Sheridan, Head of Fundraising in Jack and Jill, Stephanie Roche, Jack and Jill Liaison Nurse Manager Fiona Callaghan and Emmet Toft, Category Manager at Circle K Ireland.

      Circle K announces return of Christmas Car Wash fundraising initiative in support of The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation

      By saoirse.obrien | Comments are Closed

      Circle K, Ireland’s leading forecourt and convenience retailer and largest car wash provider has today announced the return of its Christmas Car Wash initiative at participating stores nationwide. Now in its fourth year, the initiativeRead more

    • Lucy Kennedy along side Jack and Jill family Mum Claire, Dad David, Big brother Rory 8 and Sam 4 Loughran

      No Chimney? No Problem! Glenveagh and Lucy Kennedy Bring Back The North Portal to Support Jack and Jill

      By saoirse.obrien | Comments are Closed

      This Christmas, Glenveagh and broadcaster Lucy Kennedy are teaming up to bring back The North Portal, a magical way for Santa to visit homes without chimneys, while supporting the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation’s HomeRead more

    • Sile Seoige and Guest at Jack and Jill's Christmas Lunch 2024

      A Glamorous Afternoon of Giving

      By saoirse.obrien | Comments are Closed

      The InterContinental Hotel, Dublin, was full of Christmas sparkle as over 280 glamorous guests came together for the Jack and Jill Christmas lunch, raising vital funds to help support over 400 Jack and Jill familiesRead more

    NextPrevious

    Recent Posts

    • Local Nurse to Run the Regeneron Great Limerick Run for Children’s Charity Close to Her Heart
    • Applications Now Open for the Charities Institute Ireland Excellence Awards
    • Artists & Celebrities Get in the Frame for the incognito Art Sale in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation
    • Jack and Jill is looking for 100 Hour Heroes all over Ireland!
    • Circle K announces return of Christmas Car Wash fundraising initiative in support of The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation

    Archives

    Categories

    Jack and Jill logo

    Donate

    Revenue Charity Number: CHY12405

    Registered Charity No: 20036201

    Good Governance Award Winner 2020 Good Governance Award Winner 2022

    Charity Impact Awards 2020 Winner Good Governance Awards 2023 Nominee logoTriple Locked Status Logo 2025

    Information

    • Latest News
    • FAQ
    • Volunteering
    • Fundraising
    • Careers
    • Contact
    • Guide & Privacy Policy

    Contact Us

    Phone:

    (045) 894 538 or (045) 894 660

    Email:

    [email protected]

    Address:

    Johnstown Manor, Johnstown, Naas, Co Kildare, W91 DYT2, Ireland

    Subscribe

    Stay in touch for the Latest Jack and Jill News and Events:


    Subscribe Here

    © 2025 The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation | All Rights Reserved | Built by Lightyear
    • Home
    • Our Services
      • Family
        • What We Do
        • Model of Care
        • Family Enquiry Form
        • Sibling Support
        • Entitlements & Support
        • Family Resource Centre
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Useful Information
          • Words and Meanings
          • Children’s Palliative Care
          • Service User Privacy Notice
      • Professionals
        • What We Do
        • Model of Care
        • Criteria for Referral
        • Referral Pathway
        • Send a Referral
        • Nursing Team Contacts
      • Nurses
        • Information for Nurses
        • Nurse Registration Form
        • Carer’s Registration Form
        • Resources
    • Support Us
      • Fundraising
        • Create a Fundraiser
        • Community
          • Golf for Jack and Jill
          • Lego Drive
          • School Fundraising
          • Fundraising Ideas
        • Events / Campaigns
          • View All Events
          • Raise the Par with Cathal Golf Event
          • Abseil Challenge
          • Apache Pizza Party Fundraiser
          • Teds Big Day Out
          • #UpTheHill2025
          • Cycle the Ring of Kerry
          • Jack and Jill Marathon Heroes Hub
      • Corporate Partnerships
        • Why Partner with Jack and Jill
        • How You Can Help
        • 100 Hour Heroes
      • Ways to Donate
        • Monthly Giving
        • One-Off Donation
        • In Memory Giving
        • Tax Efficient Giving
        • Wedding Favours
        • Leave a Legacy
      • Charity Boutiques
      • Online Store
        • View Store
        • Book Bundles
        • Gift of Time Cards
        • Teacher Cards
      • incognito 2025
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Values
      • Latest News
      • Model of Care
      • Strategy 2027
      • Annual Reports
      • Newsletters
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Jobs at Jack and Jill
      • Corporate Governance
        • Guide & Privacy Policy
        • Published Accounts
      • Advocacy
    • Contact
    • Donate
    The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation

    Help us to keep our children at home: Make a One-Off Donation Make a Monthly Donation