Meet Our Team
Our team is made up of dedicated volunteers and a committed Board of Directors, all of whom contribute their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. As no one receives payment for their work, we deeply appreciate the dedication, time, and energy each member invests in Usher Syndrome Ireland. Their efforts are vital to the organisation’s success and its mission to support everyone living with Usher syndrome.
Carol Brill
Deborah Heffernan
Deborah Heffernan
Founder & Chair
Dublin
Since the age of 4, I have lived with a hearing loss, and at the age of 11, I was diagnosed with RP. When I was 21, my hearing loss and sight loss were clinically diagnosed as Usher 2. Twenty five years later, a genetic diagnosis confirmed I was Usher 2a. For many years, I have yearned for a a centralised point
Founder & Chair
Dublin
Since the age of 4, I have lived with a hearing loss, and at the age of 11, I was diagnosed with RP. When I was 21, my hearing loss and sight loss were clinically diagnosed as Usher 2. Twenty five years later, a genetic diagnosis confirmed I was Usher 2a. For many years, I have yearned for a a centralised point of information, advocacy and support for their needs holistically. It's not simply a case of adding hearing loss and sight loss together to give a complete picture of what it is like to live with Usher syndrome. All through the years, I have managed my own needs independently and longed for an organisation that fully understood and supported my needs. I have to live with the disease, whilst still hoping and waiting for a cure.
After 30 years of working with other voluntary patient organisations, I am glad and proud to be a founder of Usher Syndrome Ireland, along with my great friends, Debs, and co-founders, Anne, Karen, Audrey and Trudy. We want to change and enhance the current landscape that exists for people living with this devastating disease. We want newly diagnosed families to feel they are not alone, to feel hopeful and positive, to share our determination that we can and we will make Usher syndrome a disease of the past.
Together we can.
Deborah Heffernan
Deborah Heffernan
Deborah Heffernan
Motivated by my personal experience, I wanted to ensure that no one else would feel alone after receiving a diagnosis of Usher syndrome, or during their journey living with it, leading me and Carol to found Usher Syndrome Ireland with the support of amazing women. diagnosis at that time.
Motivated by my personal experiences, I wanted to e
Motivated by my personal experience, I wanted to ensure that no one else would feel alone after receiving a diagnosis of Usher syndrome, or during their journey living with it, leading me and Carol to found Usher Syndrome Ireland with the support of amazing women. diagnosis at that time.
Motivated by my personal experiences, I wanted to ensure that no one else would feel alone after receiving a diagnosis of Usher syndrome, or during their journey living with it, leading me and Carol to found Usher Syndrome Ireland with the support of amazing women.
Our mission is to put the Irish Usher community at the heart of all that we do, ensuring no one has to face this journey alone again.
Anne Shields
Deborah Heffernan
Anne Shields
Co-Founder & Director
County Down
Deirdre Leech
Dr David Ashley
Dr David Ashley
Director
Galway
I have been working in the field of deafbindness for over 25 years, first as a Teacher at the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston and now as an Outreach Consultant for the Anne Sullivan Foundation since 2010. I have a passion for all of the work I do, but am most interested in working with children who are congenitally d
Director
Galway
I have been working in the field of deafbindness for over 25 years, first as a Teacher at the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston and now as an Outreach Consultant for the Anne Sullivan Foundation since 2010. I have a passion for all of the work I do, but am most interested in working with children who are congenitally deafblind, creating adapted literacy materials, bringing awareness to deafblindness through training. Most recently, through collaborating with Carol Brill on some projects, I have added Usher Syndrome to the list of areas that I want to give more time and energy to. I look forward to working with this very strong team on making the lives of people living with Usher Syndrome better.
Dr David Ashley
Dr David Ashley
Dr David Ashley
Director
Dublin
David has a PhD in Clinical Metabolism and has over 20 years of experience in healthcare, science, and the biopharmaceutical industry. He has served as Medical Director for several large pharmaceutical companies in both national and international roles, where he has gained substantial experience working with Patient Advocac
Director
Dublin
David has a PhD in Clinical Metabolism and has over 20 years of experience in healthcare, science, and the biopharmaceutical industry. He has served as Medical Director for several large pharmaceutical companies in both national and international roles, where he has gained substantial experience working with Patient Advocacy Groups, Medical Academia, and Industry Bodies.
David has significant previous experience as a volunteer in the sport of rowing where he has coached at grass roots, club, and international level. He is very much looking contributing to and learning from the team at Usher Syndrome Ireland
Eugene Lynch
Dr David Ashley
Eugene Lynch
Director
Wicklow
Eugene, a dedicated father of a teenager with Usher syndrome, brings valuable personal experience and insight to our board. His understanding of the challenges and hopes faced by families in the Usher syndrome community informs his advocacy for greater awareness and improved support systems.
Joining our team of directors, E
Director
Wicklow
Eugene, a dedicated father of a teenager with Usher syndrome, brings valuable personal experience and insight to our board. His understanding of the challenges and hopes faced by families in the Usher syndrome community informs his advocacy for greater awareness and improved support systems.
Joining our team of directors, Eugene’s passion and commitment will help Usher Syndrome Ireland continue its mission to build a brighter future for everyone affected by Usher syndrome.
Carol Murphy
Olubunmi Oladehinbo
Theresa Schutte
Company Secretary
I’m delighted to support Usher Syndrome Ireland as Company Secretary, a charity very close to my heart. Living with a disability, I know how important it is to feel seen, supported, and to be part of a community that understands and shares lived experiences. I have a background in assistive technology and a real passio
Company Secretary
I’m delighted to support Usher Syndrome Ireland as Company Secretary, a charity very close to my heart. Living with a disability, I know how important it is to feel seen, supported, and to be part of a community that understands and shares lived experiences. I have a background in assistive technology and a real passion for inclusion and accessibility. I’m always up for a chat about the latest tech, how our dogs run the place, and pottering about in the garden.
Theresa Schutte
Olubunmi Oladehinbo
Theresa Schutte
Safety Officer
Olubunmi Oladehinbo
Olubunmi Oladehinbo
Dr Katie O'Connor
Dr Katie O'Connor
Kehinde Ayinla
Dr Katie O'Connor
Kehinde Ayinla
Trudy Matthews
Audrey Jessiman
Audrey Jessiman
Audrey Jessiman
Audrey Jessiman
Audrey Jessiman