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Denzil Jacobs

'Children with autism and their families run a marathon every day'

Denzil Jacobs is doing something mental this summer…

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST DENZIL Jacobs is gearing up to do something extraordinary later this summer.

On August 19th he plans to run a marathon between Carlow and Kilkenny, in order to raise funding and awareness for Irish children with autism, and their families.

Then, he’ll wake up the next day, and run another marathon. And the next day, and the next day.

His monumental, almost insane “12 in 12 Challenge” consists of running 12 marathons, on 12 consecutive days, in 12 counties.

When TheJournal.ie caught up with him by phone earlier this week, he was preparing for two consecutive days of the 36-mile Clonakilty ultramarathon – “as practice” for the 12 in 12.

“I’m actually an average runner,” says Jacobs, who has worked with children with autism at the Saplings Special School in Graiguecullen, Co Carlow since 2007.

The South African native, who arrived in Ireland in 2002 before marrying Elaine, a Tullamore woman, says he “gave up the drink and the young man’s lifestyle three years ago, and just started running.”

Despite that modesty, the 37-year-old father of four will have run a total of 71 marathons by the time he crosses the finish line in Tullamore, Co Offaly on 30 August.

[image alt="" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2014/07/facebook_1405720917512-2-145x145.jpg" width="145" height="145" wp-size="size-thumbnail" credit-url="" credit-source="" credit-via="" credit-via-url="" caption="" title="" wp-id="wp-image-1579398" class="alignnone" /end]

So what’s this all about?

To be sure, Jacobs is taking on this completely outrageous project, in order to spread awareness about autism in Ireland, and raise €25,000 for Irish Autism Action, and the Saplings School.

But you get the sense from him that there’s more to it than that.

As far as I’m concerned, children with autism, and their families, run a marathon every day of their lives.
They’re constantly battling everything, including the system.

In fairness, Jacobs does at least accept that there are easier ways to raise the money, and that there will be seriously tough moments on the road through every county in Leinster.

Honestly, there will be no better feeling than knowing that every step I’m taking will improve the lives of these children in the future.
That’s what will keep me going.
The parents of the kids I work with spend every day hoping that they’ll get some sleep that night, and here I am with the strength to be out running.

[image alt="IMG_4715" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2014/07/img_4715-3-145x145.jpg" width="145" height="145" wp-size="size-thumbnail" credit-url="" credit-source="Denzil%20Jacobs" credit-via="" credit-via-url="" caption="" title="" wp-id="wp-image-1579410" class="alignnone" /end]

‘There’s no two ways about it, they’re being failed by us as a society’

Jacobs is very clearly a guy who doesn’t lack “positive mental attitude” (Note: he’s running 12 marathons in 12 days).

But he also has very specific views about what keeps parents of children with autism awake at night.

The HSE and the Department of Education are failing children with autism. The saddest thing I see isn’t so much the tears and pain and tantrums and difficult therapy sessions.
It’s not even the initial diagnosis of autism.It’s the lack of a proper diagnosis, and the shortage of services and resources that come after that.
Some of these parents are left waiting for years for a diagnosis of autism – five parents in just the last five weeks have come to me looking for help, because the system has failed them.

[image alt="1239790_273539556142059_1937832181_n" src="http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2014/07/1239790_273539556142059_1937832181_n-3-145x145.jpg" width="145" height="145" wp-size="size-thumbnail" credit-url="" credit-source="Denzil%20Jacobs" credit-via="" credit-via-url="" caption="Denzil%20Jacobs%20with%20autism%20awareness%20campaigner%20Keith%20Duffy" title="" wp-id="wp-image-1579403" class="alignnone" /end]

When asked what he would tell Leo Varadkar, the newly-appointed Minister of Health, if he had the chance, Jacobs didn’t hesitate.

We need proper diagnosis and early assessment, because I’ve seen the damage it causes when children don’t get that.
Or when they get diagnoses of intellectual disabilities, even when that’s nowhere near the reality, when they have all the classic signs of autism.
Then, these children need proper resources. They need to be given a special needs assistant, so they can cope in a mainstream school.

He sees special schools like the one he works at as “bridging a gap”, when the Irish education system has failed children with autism.

But the cost involved in running those schools means that many families simply cannot afford to get their children the services they need, and are left stranded.

The money Denzil Jacobs raises will go directly towards helping those parents.

Although he’s inviting everyone to join him along the way (here’s his itinerary), if you’re not a marathon runner but you’d still like to help, you can donate to the cause here.

Read: €9 million research programme in Autism described as ‘groundbreaking’>

Here’s how these furry friends are changing the lives of autistic children in Ireland>

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24 Comments
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    Mute col c
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    Jul 19th 2014, 10:12 AM

    Legend , the country needs more people like this man

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    Mute Steve Wrenn
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    Jul 19th 2014, 10:36 AM

    Your a hero Denzil

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    Mute Victoria Marshall
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    Jul 19th 2014, 11:07 AM

    Great guy, he should be so proud of himself :) my daughter has just been properly diagnosed with aspergers and I’m so saddened to find out there is more or less no help for her, I’m frantically reading up everything about autism to help her myself, the people who diagnosed her are very nice but don’t have time/resources/staff to meet her needs. I have found over the last few years that this country is shocking when it comes to helping people with disabilities. I find it heartbreaking not to be able to help make my child’s life easier.

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    Mute Em Murphy
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    Jul 19th 2014, 11:28 AM

    Thank you so so much for this incredible effort. Like many parent’s of a child with autism, my life feels like one long nightmare. My 22 yr old son has been completely failed by everyone. He is completely cut off from the world. He lives in between a locked bedroom and a locked spare room with a tv and computer. He is unable to leave the house. Apart from the Internet he has no contact with the outside world. He wasn’t this bad 5 years ago but lack of access to any type of meaningful support has made his life just more and more hopeless. Every single day when I put the key in the door, I wonder if today will be the day that I find his body. I don’t know how he keeps going. I am sick tired worn and weary beyond belief from speaking to people trying to get some help. There is nothing. There is no one. I am on my own and all I can do is watch while my wonderful son retreats further and further from the world around him. It is barbaric that I can’t get anyone to help him. It is a cruel and unjust punishment he has been given for simply being disabled.

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    Mute Eric Foley
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    Jul 19th 2014, 11:25 AM

    As both a father to a little girl with physical & intellectual disabilities and a marathon runner myself this is a huge acheivement both physically & mentally for him to run 12 in 12 for a fantastic cause. Take a bow sir!

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    Mute Denzil Jacobs
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    Jul 20th 2014, 2:22 PM

    Eric thank you but I leave the bowing to parents daily battling away. I just hope the campaign will save some families of the agonising and unnecessary pain the lack of understanding and services bring.

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    Mute phooey
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    Jul 19th 2014, 10:53 AM

    I admire his effort in highlighting Autism awareness their is a lot of good work been done on behalf of these children everyday in typical schools across the country that never gets mentioned. Best of luck

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    Mute Denzil Jacobs
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    Jul 20th 2014, 2:26 PM

    Thanks a million and fully agree there are plenty and plenty of great work being done out there. Unfortunately it’s clouded by ignorance or simply being ignored by powers that be hey

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    Mute Lorna Dempsey
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    Jul 19th 2014, 10:56 AM

    Amazing guy. Keep up the great work!

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    Mute Denise Houlihan
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    Jul 19th 2014, 11:06 AM

    Oh wow! The world and the world of autism needs more people like this. What a hero.

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    Mute Becky Geoghegan Fogarty
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    Jul 19th 2014, 1:23 PM

    I work with this guy!!!! So proud! Go Denzil x

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    Mute David Keogh
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    Jul 19th 2014, 11:05 AM

    Gerry Duffy done similar a couple of years ago, except he done 32 marathons, in 32 days, in 32 counties! Raise something like 100K for charity! Then 2 years later done 10 Iron Man races in 10 days.

    Its unbelievable how these people can put in so much work to complete these! Huge acheivement!

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    Mute Catherine Sims
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    Jul 19th 2014, 12:07 PM

    How wonderful is this man. I wish we had advocates like him in the world of Down Syndrome . Everyone things that downs is so easy well it’s not . My son doesn’t sleep is still in nappies and everything he has has been a battle to get. He has sensory and intellectual disabilities that are severe to profound but kids like my son are forgotten. No one wants to admit they exist. Some kids aren’t verbal don’t go to mainstream and hav a high level of need as well as lots of medical issues. I hope this man raising more than money and I hope someday someone does something like this for kids like my son. I can’t that’s for sure no time no energy and thankfully am making the most of our lots of good times too.

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    Mute Denzil Jacobs
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    Jul 20th 2014, 2:19 PM

    Catherine I have a daughter with down syndrome too. And feel your pain and concern too. But let’s keep battling on and not let the trials and tribulations get the best of us. I’m busy with a plan but I have too get through this challenge successfully first hey lol

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    Mute kdjakal
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    Jul 19th 2014, 4:15 PM

    Forgot to say how amazing this guy is

    19
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    Mute Grainne Finucane
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    Jul 19th 2014, 10:27 PM

    We were lucky enough to have Denzil work with our son as his OT. He was simply fantastic and helped our wee man no end.

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    Mute Denzil Jacobs
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    Jul 19th 2014, 11:16 PM

    Hi everyone first of all a massive thank you for your inspiring words. As u read earlier I’m just finished my back2back ultramarathons in preparations of 12 in 12…I dedicated the rest of time to my wife and children thus only replying now…I will be back online tomorrow and take time to speak to everyone

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    Mute Mick Byrne
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    Jul 19th 2014, 10:47 PM

    Denzil is my sons OT and a dedicated, brilliant human being. He totally understands him when so few others do not. One in a million…go Denzil;)

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    Mute kdjakal
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    Jul 19th 2014, 4:14 PM

    Its not only our system and educational dept that lets children and adults on the spectrum down. There is a so called parent support “charity” in Cavan that fail some kids and their families in need of the support. They leave out the families who’s kids need a bit of extra support and welcome the kids who don’t need as much support.
    they are not even a registered charity and yet they have thousands of euro donated to them. The truth will come out about them. Red thumb away.

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    Mute Trevor McGee
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    Jul 20th 2014, 12:35 AM

    As a parent of two autistic kids I salute you for your hard work and efforts to raise vital funds. Best of luck to you.

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    Mute Denzil Jacobs
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    Jul 19th 2014, 11:54 PM

    Hi everyone firstly massive thank you for all your comments…as u read in article I’m just finished day 2 of ultramarathons and spent the rest of day with wonderful wife and kids…I will be online tomorrow and hopefully I’ll be able to respond to some of the profound soul moving comments…remember the ‘Candle of HOPE lights the other four candles of Life/Joy/Peace and Success’ Keep it lit…

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    Mute Helen Lawlor
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    Jul 20th 2014, 2:25 PM

    Denzil, I will tell you again, you’re amazing!

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    Mute Caroline aMarie
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    Jul 19th 2014, 11:08 PM

    Posing with Keith Duffy.Yikes.Removes all credibility in my book.

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