Pegasus (Part 134)

“Let’s do it,” Leanne shouted. The others all nodded.

This was my moment. I could feel it in my racing heart. “Follow me. The first priority is to try to get some weapons. Otherwise, we’re toast.”

We go back out and along the corridor before we reach a stairwell.

“Come on,” I whisper back to them as I wave. It takes several minutes to get to the bottom.

Leanne, who had gone ahead of me, abruptly stopped. I went in front of her, and glanced around the corner.

There were some of the men in red uniforms who had captured me earlier. In intense conversation, they seemed oblivious to what was happening around them.

I knew we only had one choice. A sneak attack, we needed to get into hand-to-hand combat, before they drew their weapons.

In whispers, I told the others that I would go first. They were to follow in a line behind.

With care, I placed one foot in front of the other till I got within striking distance of the closest soldier. I put my arm around his neck and began to squeeze. Then all pandemonium broke loose as the rest got involved, punching and kicking the soldiers into submission.

Pegasus (Part 133)

Moments later, she sat at the side of the bed, her mouth ajar.

“You were being drugged by a tube inserted into your neck. They did the same to me. I’m sure all the others are the same. Come on, help me with the others. We don’t have much time.”

She nodded in agreement and went to Leanne, while I went to her Mum. Within a few minutes, they were all back standing up and ready for action.

For the first time, I could see steely determination in their eyes,

Leanne was the first to speak. “What now?”

I knew she wasn’t talking about escaping. They were all looking in my direction.

“The Emperor has taken ill. Now is the time for us to strike. If we run, it is only a matter of time before we are all captured once more. We keep to my original plan. Except we’re all in it now.”

“And what is that?” was murmured from the rear.

I replied with gusto, trying to keep their spirits up. “A nuclear blast inside the Emperor’s chamber can blow the whole habitat. That is what I have been trying to achieve since Tabitha and I left the dinosaur habitat. And we are now so close to achieving our objective.”

Pegasus (Part 132)

But which way to go? I tried to remember my time with the Emperor for any little hint. Then I remembered that he had looked in a particular direction when he had mentioned my friends. I thought back to where my bed was positioned at the time. I needed to go to my left.

Without hesitation, I quickly walked in that direction. The next door was over twenty meters away. There was a circular red button to the left, which I pressed. The door opened to reveal a darkened room. I stepped inside, careful not to make any noise. I could make out that several people were lying in what looked like hospital beds.

I searched the wall for a light switch and pressed it. The glare briefly closed my eyes. I reopened them to see Tabitha and the rest of the crew lying in the beds, shouting for my help.

Tabitha was closest.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

Tears were flowing down the side of her face as her eyes darted from place to place. “I can’t move, love.”

I guessed what the problem was and lifted her head with care, searching for a tube, which I pulled out.

“What are you doing, love?”

I rubbed the side of her face with my palm. “Give it a minute.”

Speech at Disability and Older Persons Event 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, it is great to be here with you on this beautiful day. Independent People with Disabilities have long been associated with this wonderful event.  It is great to see so many familiar faces, and I hope you all enjoy the day. This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about what services are available to you.

Independent People with Disabilities has had another busy year since our last day here, continuing to try and improve the lives of people with disabilities.  We took part in a Regional Networking Event in Cavan, Make Way Day in both Mullingar and Athlone, and hosted an Event about Disability and Employment in Athlone. The Disability and Employment event made me the most proud. It detailed the supports available for people with disabilities and their employer. I think it highlighted serious issues and gave out vital information.

The organization maintains a strong local presence through active participation in a variety of committees such as Westmeath Public Participation Network, Disability Sub group of Westmeath Community Development, Westmeath Youth Forum and Westmeath Older People’s forum.

 On the national stage, we have a representative on the Board of Iarnrod Eireann, and regularly engage with in discussions with the Department of Social Protection.

Our office is also an invaluable resource providing information on disability related issues, addressing questions, concerns, and making a positive impact on countless lives.

All of this would not be possible without a dedicated Board, and I wish to thank my fellow directors such as Dermot Hope, Larry Quain, Gene and Noel Mulvihill among many more. I would also like to thank our funders, especially you the ordinary people who give at our collections.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the day.

Speech at 25-year celebration of Westmeath CIL

Well, readers, this post is slightly different from usual. This is a speech I gave last night at the 25-year celebration for Westmeath CIL for anyone who may have an interest –

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to be here with you for this celebration of Westmeath CIL tonight. I am sure I already know a good number of you here. The first time I heard about the organization was when it was in its infancy. It was based on a revolutionary concept at the time, and it brought me joy to know Westmeath would not be left behind – that people with disabilities should be able to chart their futures, whether it is deciding what education to pursue, where to live, and with whom, and the ability to socialize. It is a concept as critical today as all those years ago. 

The role of Westmeath CIL in my life greatly increased a few months after I completed college with my first Personal Assistant from the service, Patricia Gorman, who ended up doing many years with me.


Her work had a great effect on my life straight away. It increased my independence and gave me a solid basis for planning my future. We got along very well, and I occasionally ring her now,  many years after she stopped working. 

Of course, there were times when she was unwell or on leave, and people like Linda McKinley and Grainne Nea, among others, would step into the breech. Throughout those years, Mary Mooney was there for me to contact if I had difficulties. 

During those years, I first worked in the Mullingar Arts Centre and then joined Westmeath County Council as a Clerical Officer. I still remember my excitement on my first day, not thinking I’d still be there nearly twenty-three years later. 

I now live in my house most days of the week thanks to Westmeath CIL. This involved a large increase in my hours, which were done by Thomas McCormack at the start. In my career, I am currently the Resource Worker with the Westmeath Public Partnership Network. A challenging role that makes use of everything that I’ve learned to date. Hopefully, I’ll still go up the ladder a bit more. Chief Executive has a nice ring to it. 

I know that there are challenges, but this would not have been possible without the independent living movement. Currently, I have three PAs from Westmeath CIL. Gerry Marie, Dermot Smith, and Kathleen Carr. Peter Bradley also fulfills the role from time to time. Westmeath CIL continues to play a vital role in my life, and I hope that it continues to make a huge impact, not only in my life but in the lives of all people with disabilities in the region.

Pegasus (Part 131)

A few moments later, I realized that full movement had been restored to my body. I immediately sat up and removed the tubes from my left hand. I looked back at where my head had been resting. There was a small needle piercing through the pillow. Standing up, I saw it had been connected to an intravenous drip with a cloudy blue substance.

It came loose when they pushed the bed. This is my opportunity.

I looked around the spacious room that had been my prison.

Flexing my legs, I was confident of my full strength. I noticed my clothes on the hanger in the corner and put them on.

Walking towards the door, it automatically flew open, leading me to a fluorescent tunnel. My eyes winced in the light. In front of me was an expansive view of the habitat. I was near the top of one of the pyramids.

How am I going to save Tabitha and the others?

I tried to think back to what the Emperor had said, and remembered him stating I’d have to make some sort of decision. It was a hunch, but they must be close. He wanted me to physically see them.

But I must be quick in case he recovers.

Pegasus (Part 130)

Then the Emperor continued. “That is why I need you. You are the only one of my progeny to show the guile required to leave one’s comfort zone and try to effect change. It was something that I thought would be ubiquitous, but I was wrong.

The Empire faces many challenges. If I die without a successor, there will be war, and everything I have built will be ruined. All I ask is that you kill your comrades to show your loyalty. I don’t think that is too much to ask.”

For a moment, I wondered if he was serious. His seething eyes told me he was.

“Never!” I responded angrily.

He gasped and took a step. “Are you my blood at all?”

He placed his hands on his chest. Then fell to his knees, before tumbling to the floor.

A loud siren went off, and the whole room started flashing red. Within thirty seconds, the room was full of men in white overcoats, all huddled around the emperor. My bed was pushed over to a side wall, and I could no longer see what was happening.

Then I could hear them carrying him away, and the room was silent once more.

Pegasus (Part 129)

Just as I had accepted my fate, that dreaded voice bellowed for me to wake. “Open those eyes.”

And there he was beside me. Not the youthful image I had expected from television and other sources. He had shoulder-length grey hair and deep wrinkles. His eyes were a pale blue, surrounded by crow’s feet.

For a moment, he said nothing, just staring blankly as if I were some sort of exotic creature. I decided to speak first. “What is wrong with you?”

He gave a wry smile.

“Ah, you’ve never seen an old person before. Even with all our technologies, what would have been considered magic when I was born, there is a certain timespan we can not compensate for. In about two hundred years, you and many more will noticeably age. And there will be nothing you can do about it.”

I replied, somewhat confused. “Aging? I thought that disease was cured?”

He seemed to take some twisted delight in my response and laughed. “I thought it had been cured, too, but no. We extended our lifespan many times over, but it’s still nothing compared to the enormity of eternity. Eventually, our medicine ran into barriers that simply could not be overcome. And that is why you are here.”

Pegasus (Part 128)

For too long, I stewed in that bed, longing to touch Tabitha, or at least hear from some of the gang. I wondered where they were and what they were facing. I wasn’t in pain or discomfort; I was just restless for something, anything, to happen.

By now, I had spent hours looking at each imperfection on the ceiling in a trance-like state, wondering if they could be a clue to aid an escape. I could not raise my arms, only move my head slightly. It was like the messages from my brain were unable to reach the rest of my body. I feared it might be permanent.

Every so often, I would hear the electric door and the patter of feet. I would roar out “Help!” but to no avail.

In the service of the Emperor, no doubt.

I wondered about my time since meeting Tabitha. What mistakes had I made?

No, I had made none. She was the love of my life. All I had been doing was dying slowly. No matter what, at least I had given life a try. It might not be about to end well, but at least I tried. And I will always have the time I spent with her.

Pegasus (Part 127)

A familiar male voice came from the other side of the room. “Impressive view, I know. Imagine that all of humanity once lived on that now inhospitable rock. I remember it well. You could breathe the fresh air, look at the sky, and fear nothing worse than getting wet.

Not like now. There were warnings about how bad things could get, but they were ignored.”

I was now sweating profusely. It was the voice of the Emperor. He had heard it hundreds of times on his home habitat, usually speaking in Irish.

“What do you want?” For I could think of nothing better to say.

The voice grew louder and angrier. “What do I want? You’d swear I was the one in the wrong. Don’t think that I don’t know about your plan, and what you signed up for. I’ve been following your actions since you first met Tabitha. There are cameras everywhere in the habitats. It astounds me that the rebels ever thought they had a chance. I found your little adventure quite amusing. However, all good things come to an end, and I’m afraid your little adventure is no exception. But now we must decide what happens next.”

My heart sank. “Please leave Tabitha and the others out of it. It was all my idea.”

The Emperor laughed. There was a sound of an automatic door closing, and I was alone again.