Mum Of The Month – Ciara Jones

Having lost her mother at the start of lockdown, home-schooling three children, one with autism. Ciara Jones displays that with a bit of positivity, unity and hope, the world can be a better place. 

Ciara Jones has been selected as our March Mum Of The Month with Woman’s Way and BEKO. The mum of three from Clonee, Dublin,  has endured a challenging year having lost her mother Margaret to COVID-19 and her husband lost his job. She has been busy home-schooling three children - her eldest son Gavin has autism. Despite all this Ciara has been a strong advocate for parents with special needs children, amplifying their voices and raising much needed funds to provide support. Woman’s Way caught up with Ciara as she reflected on the past year.

“At the beginning of lockdown last year, I lost my mam, she died in April from COVID-19 and it was so tough. I have a son with autism, so everything that he knew overnight was gone. All his routine was gone, places he liked to go to such as the parks and airports were gone. It was extremely difficult in terms of trying to manage his expectations and his routine. Gavin really did suffer and his sensory disorder went through the roof, we went up to ten baths a day trying to self-regulate. We also, had two other children who needed to be home-school so it was challenging but like so many families out there, we got through it”

“Prior to lockdown, I was always too busy, I thought I am never going to get this time with (husband) Mick and the kids again, so I embraced it. Life changes so quick and I knew when we go back to school runs, Mick back to work, we would be back into the same rat race again. So despite all the losses I gained a new perspective and it brought a sense of calmness that almost allowed me to sort of cope with all that was going on. I would sit the occasional evening in the sunshine with a glass of wine and turn to Mick to say, this is like winning the Lotto”

Ciara throughout last year and this year has been a great advocate for various charities such as ASIAM and her own organisation and has been constantly on radio, tv and in newspapers in recent times advocating about the impact of COVID-19, the need for summer support last year and most recently the return to school. 

“Special schools are so much more than just an education” states Ciara. “When schools closed everything our children with autism knew and depended on was gone overnight. Routine, friends, their education had been in an environment set out especially for them. Through lockdown this couldn’t happen in a home environment, we couldn’t mirror this and so the stress and anxiety this brought our children was reflective in their mental health and behaviour. They regressed in so many areas not just in education, so much potential was lost and this for a parent was very sad to watch.”

Ciara has been a strong advocate for parents and children with special needs and has raised the issue through the media. She is passionate about using her voice to amplify the plight of families in the same situation as her own. 

“I think it’s very important to get the message out there and support parents that are feeling overwhelmed.  Every child with special needs has different levels of challenges, sometimes parents neglect their own mental health as they are focusing solely on their child’s. They need that support and need a voice to tell people that we aren’t okay, our children aren’t okay, and we need support and for the schools to reopen. I have no problem doing that, I like to help the parents in the autism community.”

Ciara and her stepson Michael also organised  an annual five kilometre run for autism a few years ago. Prior to the lockdown they raised enough money to help 400 families, they now have 1200 families registered due to the virtual run the duo hosted last year. 

Ciara also participated in a parachute jump for local disability groups around the country. The mother commended the community spirit that was had throughout the two events, despite being in lockdown. 

“Families with children who have special needs really needed that support because you can often feel as though you are completely alone in the world. Not everyone understands what it's like having a child with autism. With lockdown, family’s routines were changed drastically with very little help. When the communities around Ireland came together to help us, it was such an overwhelming feeling, one I’m sure we won’t forget”

Ciara works tirelessly to spread awareness and she has also just started a support hub for parents with children that have special needs in Dublin west.

“The hub is for any parents who might be struggling during COVID-19 or in general. I also offer support to parents who may have just received the news that their child has autism, and they don’t know where to go, or what’s next, as they look at all the forms that are given to them. When they reach out to me I help through my own experience and connections to get them the support and help they may need. We go on their journey with them, so they aren’t alone.”

Ciara is a phenomenal powerhouse in the autism community, a well deserved Mum of the Month. What does being a mum mean to her? 

“My biggest and most important job to me is being a mam” says Ciara. “Three years ago, I gave up my career to care for Gavin and it is the most rewarding job. Gavin is pre-verbal and relies on trust. For me, I have to get up every day, I have to live my best life because my best life is Gavin’s best life. All I want is for my kids to grow up knowing how much I loved them and everything I did was for them.” WW.

For more information on Ciara’s Autism Support Hub please email Autismhub@yahoo.com 

Our Mum of the Year Awards 2021, in partnership with Beko, features a Mum of the Month throughout the year with an award ceremony (depending on restrictions) later in the year.  If you want to nominate your mum for our April’s Mum of the Month, tell us more about her and  send your nomination to womansway@gmail.com