Wheelchair user Matthew makes ‘good trouble’ for a better Buncrana

Matthew Friel is a young man on a mission. The 19 year old is leading a positive and practical campaign to improve footpaths and accessibility in Buncrana - not just for himself, but for others with mobility difficulties across the town.

Matthew, from Clonmany, recently met with Donegal County Council roads engineer Stephen Glackin and took him on a walk around Buncrana to highlight, first-hand, the obstacles faced by wheelchair users on damaged or poorly designed footpaths.

A former pupil of St Francis’ National School in Clonmany and Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana, Matthew now attends the disability day service run by Donegal Community Inclusion Training Services at its centre on Millbrae, which opened last autumn. He has been attending the centre five days a week since finishing secondary school last May.

With the support of the Community Inclusion Buncrana Advocacy Group and liaison officer Bernie Walsh, Matthew decided to raise concerns about drop kerbs, crossing points and everyday obstacles that make getting around the town difficult - not only for wheelchair users, but also for older people and parents pushing buggies.

“It can be difficult to cross the roads,” Matthew explained. “My friends can get across, but I can’t easily. In a lot of places, the crossing points aren’t opposite each other, so I have to cross diagonally. That’s not safe with traffic.”

During the walk around earlier this week, Matthew pointed out a range of issues, including poorly aligned crossings, uneven surfaces, potholes, poles, trees and the awkward grates around tree bases. While he uses a powered wheelchair that gives him a high level of independence, he says damaged footpaths and obstacles limit what that equipment can safely do.

“I’m afraid my wheelchair might tip,” he said.

Bernie Walsh said the issues first emerged during an advocacy meeting at the centre.

“When I asked if there were any burning issues, Matthew was ready for me,” she said. “He had thought it all through.”

Watch: A trip around Buncrana from Matthew's perspective

Council engineer Stephen Glackin took copious notes during the walk around with Matthew, and there is optimism that some improvements can be made within existing budgets. Bernie said the engineer was hopeful that certain works could be completed by the end of the first quarter of the year.

“There’s no suggestion that everything can be fixed at once,” she said, “but even small changes would make a huge difference.

“Able-bodied people can walk around obstacles without thinking, but that’s not possible for someone in a wheelchair.”

Matthew would like to see more pedestrian crossings like the one near the centre on Millbrae, which includes proper drop kerbs and tactile paving to assist people with visual impairments.

Importantly, Matthew stresses that his campaign is about more than his own experience. Two of his friends at the centre also use wheelchairs.

“It’s not just me - I’m looking out for my friends too,” he said.

Matthew’s key worker, Aidan McLaughlin, praised his empathy and determination.

“Matthew looks out for other people all the time,” he said. “When he first raised this, he was already talking about his friends from Scoil Mhuire.

“Working with him has been eye-opening,” Aidan said, remarking that this was his first time to work with a wheelchair user. “Things many of us take for granted, like crossing the road or entering a shop, aren’t straightforward.”

Bernie described Matthew as someone who makes ‘good trouble’ by seeking positive change through constructive engagement.

“The walk around really helped Stephen understand the issues,” she said. “The council seem positively disposed to this, so we’re very hopeful.”

Matthew, who has a keen interest in farming and enjoys regular trips to the mart in Carn, will turn 20 in March. He says the Millbrae day centre is a great asset for Buncrana, and hopes the town can now build on that by becoming more accessible for everyone.

“It won’t cost millions,” Bernie added, “but the value it would bring to Matthew, his friends and the wider community would be enormous.”

Donegal County Council has plans to carry out accessibility audits in several towns, including Letterkenny, Dungloe and Bundoran, and it is hoped that people with disabilities will play a key role in shaping those assessments - just as Matthew is trying to do in Buncrana.