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The design of our site conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG10). We encourage others to help give the disabled full access to the power of the World Wide Web.
The Physically Challenged Irish and American Youth Team (the "Team") was founded in 1987 with the intention of promoting recreational, leisure, and sporting activities for physically challenged young people. Since then we have widened our mission to include (through scholarships and other programs) educational and career development for physically challenged children, and, where possible, medical assistance and medical equipment for the most needy of these children.
In May and July 2008, the Team brought twenty-four Irish children to the United States to compete in the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged. In July and August, we sent twenty-five children from the United States to Ireland for two weeks to compete in games in Dublin and to enjoy the warmth and beauty of Ireland.
NOTE: One of our 2005 American Team members, Kieran McGovern, wrote a poem on the last night of the group's visit to Ireland. It's called "Celtic Bonds", a reflection on his two week adventure. You can read "Celtic Bonds" here.
This year's Irish Youth Team was made up of children from the north, south, east, and west of the country. Their disabilities ranged from spina bifida, cerebral palsy, hearing and sight impairments, cystic fibrosis, burns, amputations, and spinal injuries. The events included competitions in track and field, swimming, horseback riding, table tennis, etc.
By participating in the games, by striving for and achieving their personal bests, the children develop confidence, positive attitudes, and strong self-images. All participants are winners and each child's life is enhanced by the sense of independence and accomplishment they earn through their own efforts.
The Team also provides financial support to those families of children, both in Ireland and the United States, who are in the most difficult of circumstances.
Our program assists children in Ireland with special medical needs, and helps bring them to the United States for treatment and care sponsored by both the Team and various doctors in the U.S. We have obtained electric wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, etc. for the most needy of these children.
In the United States, the Team presently has fifteen children attending college on scholarships sponsored by the Team. We are most proud of this program.
On both sides of the ocean, great work is being done for these wonderful children and their families. Thanks to our many volunteers (approximately 75 in Ireland and about the same number in the United States), and to all who have given so generously, we are changing the world one disabled child at a time.
The Physically Challenged Irish And American Youth Team is a New York not-for-profit corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3).