Tracey OBrien sent a message to Michael OLeary - CEO, Ryanair - Email Address that said:
Dear Mr OLeary,
Thank you for taking the time to read my correspondence.
Myself my husband are both Irish living in Birmingham for 20 years. We came here to facilutate me to study have been very lucky to be living a very fulfilled life. We travel home to Ireland frequently throughout the year as we belong to a very supportive big family, our family visit us regularly through out the year...since January of this year we have had 10 family visit with more booked to visit again we are booked to travel home to Ireland in June... of course always we travel with Ryanair, I cant remember ever not !
My reason for contacting you is ask for your help.
Our beautiful daughter Niámh was diagnosed with Autism aged 3 years old, she i now 11years old. Our whole world changed with this diagnosis . Our very ordinary life became very extraordinary over night. Autism doesnt come with a manual it is a journey you never think you will have to travel. Never do you ever think you will be told your child has a lifelong devastating neurological disability. Over night our lifes changed forever. Our lifes became a series of medical meetings,teams of professional people occupied our everyday existence ...our old life wiped out as we entered the world of autism. Fast forward 8 years later we remain a united, happy, progressive family unit sharing our lifes dreams with autism. Maintaining one foot in either land keeps us solid progressively moving..one foot in the land of autism to explore, understand share our daughters world. The other foot in our typical world to allow our daughter to share, explore understand our world.... its working! Autism has given us the gift of perspective . Realising whats important in life .. is life itself...weve learnt its not the journey you travel in life ...but who travels it with you that matters. Weve surrounded ourselves with positive life changing people. Special Olympics have become our soul family.. we hope one day our daughter will ski for Ireland swim for Great Britain...striving to be the very best we can be. Our involvement with special Olympics our life with autism has lead us to become fundraisers, volunteers , coaching assistant with this great organisation, weve skied with special Olympics city of Birmingham in Italy this year, Ive run the Dublin marathon raising funds for Special Olympics our daughter has been chosen by the Birmingham Mail newspaper featured on local tv as an inspirational child of Birmingham. There is so much more I could tell you ...but as you are a busy man...I shall get to the point of my correspondence. (I talk far too much!)
Making the world of travel more accessible less challenging for families living with autism would be life changing.. and you Mr OLeary have the power to do that, to change lifes. In 2013 Manchester airport relaunched their Autism Awareness travel supported relaunched by Keith Duffy. The provision of a wrist band to families (who provide proof ) that they are travelling with someone diagnosed with Autism .This helps to reduce the overwhelming factors associated with travelling. This small change would make a huge profound difference to families.....Autism has made me realise the smallest things often bring the biggest change....and you can do that to some many lifes.
Im asking you to consider this approach on every Ryanair flight. Recently Shannon airport has become a National International leader ,leading the way in providing a sensory room for families living with autism other disabilities whilst waiting for flights. This acknowledgment not only identifys the needs of todays society, it is a respectful recognition that we are different, but not less the Irish people care. It brought tears to my eyes to watch this aired on RTE.
Could you be the first leading airline to do such a monumental forward moving step.... I hope so.
Mr OLeary never did I ever think my life would be touched by autism...im an ordinary mum with an amazing , wonderful daughter who everyday lives in our confusing world, autism makes it difficult...but you Mr OLeary can make it a little easier.
On a practical view.. it is an opportunity for you Ryanair to receive some very positive media coverage! We could both benefit from it...i just want to make life a little easier for families with autism you can show the world the leader you are.
Kind regards
Tracey OBrien
