"Dirrans gave me a place to go"

If it wasn't for the Dirrans Centre I wouldn't be here, right before I began attending the Dirrans Centre I was honestly thinking about ending it all. I was stuck in such a rut I had no real friends and no other way to spend my time other than drinking it away in the pub. The Dirrans was like a beacon of light for me. The first time I arrived one of the staff said hello and offered me a cup of tea before I had even sat down, I know that doesn’t sound like much but just that little bit of decency made such a big difference for me. That was in 2015 and I have been attending the Dirrans ever since I love the place. The staff are fantastic they deserve a knighthood.

Last summer we went on a trip on the Jenny Rose, A boat for all abilities that leaves from Inverkip and goes around the Clyde Coast, We had a fabulous time I saw some of Scotland I have never seen before and probably never will again including dolphins, I also have to mention the staff member that was with us that day, she wasn’t feeling great but made sure all the people on that trip had a great day. Every year the Dirrans put on Christmas Party in the centre, a three course meal and entertainment, it’s a great day the company and the atmosphere are great.

Unfortunately at the start of 2017 I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and only given a year, the Dirrans have been so supportive of me since I was diagnosed, they have been there for me ever since, that’s not all, they organised a day for me, Rangers do a dream day twice a year and I have been a true blue since I was a wee boy, the Dirrans organised for me to go, I took a friend up to Auchenhowie, we met the staff and the players and then to Ibrox for a three course lunch, what a day it was, I never thought I would get the chance to watch the Rangers train at Auchenhowie, I don’t think the staff at the Dirrans will ever understand what this means to me.

Before I was diagnosed I had a fall in the house one Tuesday night and landed with a clatter, I couldn’t get myself up off the floor, it was the staff from the Dirrans that found me three days later, I was severely dehydrated and really badly bruised, if it wasn’t for the staff at the Dirrans coming to check on me I wouldn’t be here as I wasn’t expecting anyone till after the weekend.

The Dirrans gave me a place to go, where I could be myself, be accepted as me and not a just a person with a disability, I thoroughly enjoy the groups that I attended at the centre, chatting away with everybody and sharing stories and I’ll tell you I have plenty of stories to tell.