A Cavan couple who wanted to address the "lack of congratulations" parents of children born with Down Syndrome receive, has been presented with an Oireachtas Human Dignity Award.
Sinéad Fidgeon and Martin McBreen saw first-hand the challenges families face when their daughter Grace was diagnosed with Down Syndrome before birth in 2014.
Ms Fidgeon said parents often hear the words "I'm sorry" after the birth of a baby with Down Syndrome.
"There is often a lack of congratulations, and it can be a very overwhelming time for new parents," she said.
This inspired them to start 'The Perfect Gift’ the following year, which delivers gift baskets to families in the same situation.
Since then, they have delivered 1,000 baskets to parents around the country.
The baskets include gifts for the mother and baby, a personalised letter welcoming them to the Down Syndrome community and an invitation to join an online support group.
Ms Fidgeon said she wanted to make sure that every parent hears the word "congratulations" and to say that their baby is "just perfect".
"While no one wants to sugar coat what challenges a child may have, it is also so important to stress the positives of which there are so many," she said.
Ms Fidgeon and Mr McBreen received the ninth Oireachtas Human Dignity award from Iar-Cheann Chomairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl at a ceremony in Leinster House yesterday.
Independent senator Rónán Mullen proposed the couple as award recipients.
Previous recipients of the award include Gena Heraty from ‘Our Little Brothers and Sisters’ Orphanage in Haiti and the late Brother Kevin Crowley.
