Kilkenny student grateful to supportive family as his star continues to shine

Local man Finian Ready has shared his remarkable educational journey with the College of Further Education in Kilkenny, which has seen him makes waves in his own personal progression, with his teachers and fellow students immensely proud.

Finian is currently studying Media Studies Level 5 at the local college and told the AONTAS website, 'nothing should stop you from learning new things in life'.

"I came from the National Learning Network in Kilkenny," Finian told the website.

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"I did a Junior Cert with them and decided to go further and do a Level 3. I want to be out there because I'm very independent, though I have great family support at home.

"There was another opportunity on a course called Career Paths. It’s all about getting into employment. I finished up nearly two years ago. I decided to look up a few courses in the College of FET in Kilkenny. Media Studies appealed to me," he added.

The Bennettsbridge native has used that same personal drive and initiative in his personal life, creating the hugely popular social media blog, 'Finian's House'.

"It’s for a group of people with learning disabilities, I organise outings for them because often there’s nowhere for them to go. I do video stuff with them and record the stories that they tell me, all their education backgrounds, and sometimes the difficulties they had making friends in school.

"And for me, family was a big thing in life or even having friends and they support you on your journey," Finian continued.

Finian, who has volunteered in a number of capacities locally, both inside and outside the media, is reminding people who may have gone/are going through similar experiences to him, that there is a pathway forward despite some people putting you down, he claimed.

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"We have good learning supports in college. I have access to an SNA and I am given extra time to do my assignments. If I'm stuck with an assignment, my SNA will come over and she'll break down the brief even more for me. She’s great craic too," he said.

"School isn’t for everyone. I got a little help with SNAS in primary and secondary school so the supports in college are amazing for me," Finian recalled.

"I’m proud of myself as a person with a disability getting an education and getting a Level 5 cert.

"As a proud person with a disability, I thought this would never happen. I am honoured to get a Level 5 under my belt."

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