What is precious to you, for one reason or another? What object would you never want to lose? Our treasured possessions are often an expression, sometimes an extension, of our very selves. AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity, has been working on a series of stories of famous people and their special possessions. From Colin Farrell to Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, Sebastian Barry to Rachael Blackmore, (and many more) everyone AsIAm invited to participate entered into the project with gusto, and THE GLOSS is proud to partner with AsIAm and bring you a story a month …
Professor Mary Horgan graduated from UCD School of Medicine and was awarded the UCD Alumni award for Health in 2019. She is Professor of Infectious Diseases at UCD, and Consultant in Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. She served two terms as President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, being the first female to take up this role since its foundation in 1654. She was also Dean of the School of Medicine at University College Cork.
Professor Mary Horgan takes up the role of Chief Medical Officer for Ireland today, August 12 2024.
My Kerry Jersey
“I grew up with these colours – the green and gold of Kerry. My Kerry jersey reminds me of where I come from and the family, friends and community that shaped who I am – personally and professionally. The colours keep me grounded.
I lived in St Louis, Missouri, on the Mississippi River in the US for seven years, far from the Atlantic Ocean, so during that time the green and gold colours of the jersey helped remind me not only of Kerry but of Ireland – a proud small nation that I am fortunate to call home again, having returned from Missouri in the late 1990s.
For me, the colours of the jersey reflect the importance of our national game, our Irish heritage, our love of all sports, our volunteerism and community spirit, as well as the importance of sports for our physical and mental wellbeing whether player or spectator.”
AsIAm, founded by Adam Harris in 2014, has a vision for Ireland as a place where every Autistic person is accepted “as they are” – equal, valued and respected. AsIAm provides community support through advice, advocacy, support and special interest groups for children and adults with autism. AsIAm provides training programmes in autism awareness and inclusion, and supports businesses to successfully recruit and employ autistic candidates. The charity operates an information line (0818 234 234) and provides support via instant messaging and email (support@asIam.ie).
To find out more: www.asiam.ie
To donate: www.asiam.ie/support-our-work/donate/
Photograph by Conor Healy @pictureitpix