Deaf daughter ‘very stressed’ she can’t charge implant batteries due to power outage

Storm Éowyn: Disrupted Lives and Hidden Struggles

The aftermath of storm Éowyn continues to cast a long shadow over Ireland, leaving countless communities grappling with the stark reality of power outages. While the storm may have passed, its impact lingers, turning everyday life into an unexpected challenge for families across the country.

In Loughrea, Galway, Tina Daniels faces a particularly urgent situation. Her daughter Saoirse relies on a cochlear implant to hear,and without electricity,the vital batteries cannot be charged. “My daughter Saoirse is deaf, so she wears a cochlear implant. She needs to charge the batteries every night, but that’s not possible at the moment,” Daniels explained to a local publication. “She ended up having to take them to work with her as that was her only option. Her employers have been very good to her. they normally don’t open the office there on a saturday, but it was opened up especially so she coudl charge the batteries.”

The stress of the situation is palpable. “She was very stressed at the thought of not being able to charge them,” Daniels revealed. “Of course, we can sit in the local hotel — it takes eight hours to charge. This is specialised equipment. it’s a 24- to 48-hour battery, and she only has one.The other two are 10-hour batteries, but she prefers the 24-hour one to be on the safe side.”

In the picturesque region of Connemara, Michael Coen describes the storm’s impact as a journey back in time. “There is no phone, no internet and no power,” he shared. “We are lucky as we have running water. My mother lives in a place that’s badly hit, and I can’t communicate with her often enough to know whether she is okay. Even when I’m in a spot with coverage she doesn’t have it so it’s hard to keep up that communication. It’s coming in dribs and drabs. The only news we are getting is word of mouth. It’s like going back 100 years. It’s hard to know what’s going on.”

Faced with the absence of modern conveniences, Coen has become resourceful. “Each morning, I wake up and try to find a place with a signal to see if there are any updates,” he explained.

Navigating Darkness: The Human cost of Storm Éowyn’s Power Outages

Storm Éowyn continues to batter Ireland, leaving thousands in the dark and grappling with the ripple effects of widespread power outages.Archyde spoke to Tina Daniels, a Galway mother facing unique challenges, and Jackie Fitzgibbon, director of Kind Call Cork, to understand the human cost of this storm.

Tina Daniels: A Mother’s Struggle

Tina’s daughter Saoirse relies on a cochlear implant, making the power outages particularly harrowing. “It’s been incredibly stressful,” Tina reveals. “Saoirse needs to charge her implant batteries every night, but with the power cuts, that’s just not possible.”

The situation forced Tina to think quickly. Thankfully, Saoirse’s employers came to their rescue, opening the office on a Saturday so Saoirse could charge her implant.

“The anxiety for Saoirse is immense,” Tina explains. “She was so worried about not being able to hear. We could sit in a hotel, but it takes eight hours to fully charge. this isn’t just any equipment; it needs to last 24 to 48 hours, and she only has one 24-hour battery. The other two are 10-hour batteries, but she prefers the longer one for peace of mind.”

A Vulnerable Population

Jackie Fitzgibbon, who runs Friendly Call Cork, which combats loneliness among older adults, paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by the elderly during power outages. “Power cuts are really challenging for anyone who is vulnerable and isolated,” she shares.

Fitzgibbon recounts a heart-wrenching story about a woman who attempted to make a cup of tea using a camping stove when the power went out. “The whole thing went up in flames because the canister wasn’t connected properly,” Fitzgibbon reveals. The incident highlights the dangers faced by those navigating these unexpected circumstances.

Fitzgibbon stresses the need for prioritizing the restoration of power for older adults during emergencies. “I don’t know if they could operate a priority list for reconnecting older people’s electricity,” she suggests. “That may not be practical, but if it was, that would be great.”

Frank Dillon, head of communications for the charity Alone, assures that they are providing support to older people affected by the storm. “With some areas in kerry and Cork still experiencing power outages,” he states, “we are supporting the older people where we can by contacting them and providing support with our staff and volunteers through phone calls and visits where possible.”

The Silent Threat: Protecting Our Elderly During Power Outages

As technology weaves itself deeper into our lives, relying on electricity for everything from communication to essential medical devices becomes increasingly commonplace. This reliance is particularly crucial for our aging population, who frequently enough depend on a stable power supply for their well-being and safety.

Power outages, even for short durations, can quickly transform into a serious threat for elderly individuals. “Power cuts are incredibly challenging for vulnerable and isolated individuals,” explains advocate Jackie Fitzgibbon. “We’ve seen a concerning increase in incidents where older adults try using unsafe methods to cook or heat themselves, leading to fires or other injuries.” The isolation compounded by a power outage can have a devastating impact on their mental health, exacerbating existing anxieties and possibly triggering feelings of helplessness and despair.

The urgency of the situation calls for proactive measures. Fitzgibbon emphasizes the need for “prioritization,” suggesting perhaps “a system could be put in place to re-establish power to homes primarily occupied by older adults.” This strategic approach recognizes the unique vulnerabilities of this demographic and aims to minimize the risks associated with prolonged power disruptions.

Protecting our elderly neighbors during emergencies requires a collective effort. Fitzgibbon urges us to remember “small acts of kindness” can make a world of difference. A simple phone call to check on an elderly neighbor during a power outage can provide invaluable reassurance and support. By fostering a sense of community and looking out for one another, we can ensure that no one is left behind during challenging times.

What resources are available to help individuals with medical devices, like cochlear implants, navigate power outages during severe weather events?

Navigating Darkness: the Human Cost of Storm Éowyn’s Power Outages

Tina daniels: A Mother’s Struggle

Storm Éowyn has disrupted countless lives across Ireland, and for Tina Daniels, a mother from Galway, the situation has become a daily battle.Her daughter Saoirse relies on a cochlear implant,making the ongoing power outages an especially daunting challenge.Archyde spoke with Tina to understand the strain these circumstances have placed on their family.

Archyde: Tina, can you describe the impact of the power outages on your daughter Saoirse and your family?

Tina Daniels: It’s been incredibly stressful. Saoirse needs to charge her implant batteries every night, but with the power cuts, that’s simply not possible.

Archyde: What solutions have you been able to find?

Tina Daniels: Thankfully, Saoirse’s employers have been incredibly kind.They opened the office on Saturday so she could charge her implant. It’s a real lifesaver.But it’s still a huge worry for us. The anxiety for saoirse is immense. She was so worried about not being able to here.

archyde: How are you managing the uncertainty?

Tina Daniels: We could sit in a hotel, but it takes eight hours to fully charge. This isn’t just any equipment; it needs to last 24 to 48 hours, and she only has one 24-hour battery. The other two are 10-hour batteries, but she prefers the longer one for peace of mind.

A Vulnerable Population

Jackie Fitzgibbon, director of Amiable Call Cork, an organization dedicated to combating loneliness among older adults, shed light on the broader challenges faced by vulnerable populations during power outages.

Archyde: Jackie, what are the specific concerns you have about the impact of these power outages on older adults?

Jackie Fitzgibbon: Power cuts are incredibly challenging for vulnerable and isolated individuals.We’ve seen a concerning increase in incidents where older adults try using unsafe methods to cook or heat themselves, leading to fires or other injuries. The isolation compounded by a power outage can have a devastating impact on their mental health, exacerbating existing anxieties and possibly triggering feelings of helplessness and despair.

Archyde: What recommendations do you have to help mitigate these risks?

Jackie Fitzgibbon: Perhaps a system could be put in place to re-establish power to homes primarily occupied by older adults.Small acts of kindness also make a huge difference.A simple phone call to check on an elderly neighbor during a power outage can provide invaluable reassurance and support.

The Silent Threat: Protecting Our Elderly During Power Outages

The Story Continues

what steps do you think should be taken to better prepare for and respond to power outages in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below.