Independent Living for Adults living with Autism

Hello everyone,

We are Mary Lou and Brendan Leahy, loving parents of our wonderful son, Jack, who is living with Autism. We reside in the beautiful community of West Cork, where we are deeply involved in efforts to support and uplift vulnerable individuals. Mary Lou is passionately campaigning in the local elections to improve support services for vulnerable people and Brendan works with the National Ambulance Service (NAS).

We are reaching out to you with a heartfelt request to support a cause that is incredibly important to us and to many families like ours in West Cork. We aim to raise funds to build small, supportive housing units for adults with Autism, including our son, Jack.

Why This Project is Important

This decision arose as Mary Lou and Brendan face concerns about what would happen to their 15-year-old Jack if they were to pass away. The family has struggled to get services for Jack and often felt isolated as a result. "We couldn't get anyone to listen to us," Mary Lou explains. "We were isolated. We couldn't go to restaurants, cafes, even something as basic as the playground, because Jack struggled with his anxiety."

"We didn't even know what we, as a family, should be doing to support Jack. He would scream with his anxiety at night, so it was easier for us to stay at home. I look around now and I see the same struggle with younger families, and I can empathise because I have lived it. Now that Jack is heading into adulthood, our worry is if something were to happen to myself or Brendan, where will Jack go?"

Mary Lou’s Song for Jack

Mary Lou recently sat her final exams while studying mental health in the community. For one of her final projects, she decided to create something deeply personal. As a singer for over 23 years, she wrote and performed "Jack's Song," a heartfelt piece to raise money for acquiring a site to build tiny housing units for adults with Autism. "The song is highly personal but it may resonate with many parents and it may be the start of a unique housing project," she shares.

How You Can Help

We need your support to turn this vision of modular homes for Adults with Autism into reality. Every donation, big or small, will bring us one step closer to building these essential housing units. Your contribution will directly impact the lives of adults with Autism in our community, providing them with the independence and dignity they deserve.

About Us

Mary Lou: A dedicated advocate for vulnerable people, running in the local elections with a focus on improving support services in our community.

Brendan: A committed professional working with the National Ambulance Service, bringing his expertise and compassion to this project.

Jack: Our amazing son, who inspires us every day to work towards creating a better world for individuals with Autism.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Your support can change lives. Together, we can build a future where adults with Autism are empowered to live independently and achieve their full potential.

Please donate and share this campaign with your friends, family, and networks. Thank you for your generosity and for standing with us in this important mission.

With gratitude,

Mary Lou, Brendan, and Jack