Disability is the top news story today and it would be wrong if Undaunted ignored it.  I also have a personal interest in the story as I went to the CRC as a child and lifelong friendships were made in the primary school attached. It was a simpler time when the only fund raisers were the ubiquitous rattling tins and the charity walk led by... Ah, let’s move swiftly on.

While I’ve had arguments with CRC in the past, I know that the dedication shown by staff knows no bounds. They love their ‘clients’ and want the best for them. I know they set me on the path to where I am. These are the therapists, the teachers, the technicians. The workers who are on fixed salaries and to whom the idea of top up is anathema. They would love the funds to buy a tiny bean bag that might help improve a child’s grip or a software app that might help another child learn.

But it is not just the CRC. The same duty of care shown by thousands of other workers in charities throughout the country in every area of social and health care. Please remember this.

The top up culture seems to be the last gasp cries of Celtic Tiger Ireland. It’s a reality we can’t let overshadow the great work charity and voluntary agencies do.

This week was about celebration. No, this week IS about celebration. Newstalk wants to celebrate the lives of disabled people in Ireland. We want to go further. By using the #idpd hashtag when you tweet Newstalk, we want to show the world the amazing lives Irish disabled people lead. This will all happen. Keep your tweets and 5 a day coming.