Unique honour from Hungary for pioneering Tyrone teacher

A Hungarian woman living in Tyrone for 30 years has been honoured by her native country for her pioneering work for children with cerebral palsy.

Ildiko Veres, principal of the Buddy Bear Trust Conductive Education School in Dungannon, has been awarded the Silver Cross of Merit of Hungary for her dedication to helping children with cerebral palsy and motor disorders.

This is the first time the Order Of Merit award in the Civil Division has been given to someone in the North from the President of Hungary, Dr Tamas Sulyok.

The award was presented by the Hungarian Ambassador in London, Dr Ferenc Kumin, at a ceremony in Stormont yesterday.

Ms Veres came to Dungannon over 30 years ago as a recent graduate from the world famous Pető Institute in Budapest, where Dr Andras Pető pioneered a development programme for children/adults with cerebral palsy.

Conductive education is a specialist education approach and aims to develop children with cerebral palsy and motor disorders from an educational, rather than a treatment perspective.

Through her work at the Buddy Bear Trust Conductive Education School, she has helped dozens of children who may otherwise have been confined to a wheelchair.

The Buddy Bear Trust complements existing statutory education services and benefits the NI Health Service as it reduces children’s reliance on the service as their health and mobility improves and decreases stress on parents and siblings.

Ms Veres said: “The Buddy Bear Trust is the only school of its kind on the island of Ireland. I am proud of how we have supported children with cerebral palsy and motor disorders and their families and how we have helped to successfully transition children into mainstream education.

“I feel honoured and very grateful for receiving the award as an appreciation and acknowledgement of my work in Northern Ireland.”

Brendan McConville, chairman of the Buddy Bear Trust, said: “The reputation of the Buddy Bear Trust has spread all over Ireland and while we have tried to help as many children as possible, it is clear from the number of parents seeking guidance and support that there is a desperate need for even greater support.

“We cannot do it alone and we wish to thank the McClay Foundation and the National Lottery Community Foundation for their continued support for the last few years.

“We will continue to look to the local government, specifically the Department of Education and the Northern Ireland Assembly to fund our work so that as many children as possible with cerebral palsy and motor disorders can be supported.”