In the 1950s, sporadic cases of poliomyelitis occurred throughout Ireland. An
epidemic broke out in the Summer of 1956 in Cork. The effects of this infectious
disease ranged from mild to severe, from a minor transient illness to extensive
long-term paralysis, and even death.
The medical authorities in Cork set themselves two objectives; to stop the spread of the disease, and to limit the consequences in those who had contracted it. A regional treatment centre was set up at St. Finbarr's Hospital where first-class care was made available during the acute stages of the illness.
Everyday life in Cork was disrupted during the Summer of 1956. Events attracting large gatherings of people were curtailed. Tourism, sports activities and business were adversely affected.
The medical authorities initiated a public awareness programme through the media which was backed by civic leaders. This kept the citizens of Cork informed on the progress of the disease and on the necessity for precautionary measures.
While the regional treatment centre provided excellent care and treatment during
the acute stages, follow-up services were totally overstretched. In Cork City
and County many people were left with a disability, and, in order to avail of
aftercare, would have had to join a lengthy waiting-list for admission to the
Central Remedial Clinic in Co. Dublin, which had been set up in 1951,
specifically for the rehabilitation of people who had polio.
A community response to a community in crisis was called for. Cllr. John Bermingham raised the issue on numerous occasions at Cork Corporation. John Bermingham and Sean Clayton convened a public meeting which was attended by representatives of various local organisations as well as members of the public. It was made clear at that meeting that people who had contracted polio required special aftercare which was not readily available, and that a locally-based service was urgently needed.
As a result of that public meeting Cork Poliomyelitis Aftercare Association was
founded and held its inaugural meeting on 29 May 1957, John Bermingham was
appointed secretary. Members of the Association were required to assist
physiotherapists and to visit patients in their homes to ensure compliance with
their prescribed rehabilitative exercises.
The physiotherapists in Cork at the time were overwhelmed with the demands placed on their services.
The new Association opened a one-room clinic in Cork City Hall. Extra physiotherapists were secured, and later on, still more were recruited. New premises were obtained at the Turkish Baths on South Mall, where extensive renovations were carried out, the best of equipment was installed and the place became known as the "Polio Clinic".
The education of children who had contracted polio became an issue. Initially, a
special school was mooted, however, John Bermingham persuaded one school to
enrol a pupil who had polio. Other schools followed suit and eventually all the
children concerned were integrated into the ordinary school system. Gradually,
the Association's responsibility to these children diminished as they responded
to physiotherapy and the children were attending the ordinary schools.
It was also stated that the new Association would be faced with providing for the needs of children who had an intellectual disability. At that time, children with intellectual disability either remained at home without a service or were placed in inappropriate residential institutions including psychiatric hospitals, county homes or workhouses. The remit of the Association broadened within a short period of time. An increasing number of children with intellectual disability were being referred and the question of schooling for this group arose.
Scoil Bernadette was opened on 28 May 1958 for pupils from Cork City who had an intellectual disability. Within a relatively short period a further school was required to cater for the educational needs of such children from County Cork and a residential school - Queen of Angels School (later Scoil Eanna) - was opened on 5 October 1959.
When the emphasis shifted from catering for the specific group who had polio to
the rehabilitation of a more diverse group of people with intellectual
disability the organisation changed its title to Cork Polio and General
After-care Association, on 30 May 1958.
The needs of the children changed as they got older and further day services including vocational training and various levels of employment opportunities were developed to meet those needs. Initially, children with milder degrees of intellectual disability were provided with services, then gradually children with severe and profound intellectual disability were provided with day and residential services. Then, year by year the services increased in number and scope in line with needs, and included pre-school and education, vocational training and placement, varying levels of occupation and employment, leisure facilities and retirement options, and a full range of residential facilities throughout Cork City and County. The full age-range and all degrees of disability were being catered for.
The title, Cork Polio and General After-care Association, which had been
synonymous with the reason for the existence of the services, became misleading
as time passed, and the organisation's contribution to the field of intellectual
disability was being obscured by its title. On 5 December 1988, the title was
changed to COPE Foundation.
