Press Release Ukraine

Irishman helps Ukranian refugees flee war

Irish Daily Star
29 Mar 2022
■■Jeff FARRELL
QUEUING: At the Moldovan border,

An Irish man shrugged off his Parkinson’s Disease symptoms and travelled to Ukraine in March 2022 to help refugees cross into Poland.

Seann Farrell (73) diagnosed  with Parikinson's disease which makes it difficult for him to walk without discomfort, as well as giving him balance and tremor issues.

But he ignored those ailments and a heart condition to help women and children in Ukraine take the final step to safety in the West.

And also his mission was also an opportunity to “encourage older people” to overcome their illnesses and not give up on life.

It comes ahead of World Parkinson’s Day on April 11, which aims to raise awareness about the disease.

Mr Farrell said he was driven to help those fleeing Ukraine after seeing the “terrible scenes” on the TV news of Russian bomb attacks on its neighbour.

The horror has pushed more than three million people to flee their nation.

Terror

Mr Farrell, a life coach trainer and therapist with experience as a therapist  in post-trauma therapy, vowed to support the refugees.

The father of two and a grandfather of three said: “The terrible scenes on the news, the horror, houses destroyed, children killed. “I wanted to help.”

 It comes ahead of World Parkinson’s Day on April 11, which aims to raise awareness about the disease.

Mr Farrell said he was driven to help those fleeing Ukraine after seeing the “terrible scenes” on the TV news of Russian bomb attacks on its neighbour.

The horror has pushed more than three million people to flee their nation.

Terror

Mr Farrell, a life coach trainer and therapist with a background in post-trauma therapy, photo by S Farrell March 2022,    vowed to support the refugees

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The father of two and a grandfather of three said: “The terrible scenes on the news, the horror, houses destroyed, children killed. “I wanted to help.”

The Dubliner travelled to Krakow airport then took a 3.5 hours bus journey to the Polish town of Medyka, which frontiers Ukraine.

He witnessed hundreds of refugees fleeing horror in cities.

Mr Farrell crossed over the border into Ukraine and walked back to Poland with the Ukrainians.

He said: “Many people spoke English– they found it helpful to share their experiences with me, and with my background as a therapist and trauma resolution, I felt it helped.

“They spoke about the bombing. One said the air raid sirens were more terrifying than the bombs.

“I carried children, pet dogs, luggage bags and I guided many people to the medical tent.

 “There was a few tears but most were happy to get away from the terror and get onto a bus which brought them initially to Przemysl in south east Poland and then onto to their various destinations by train and bus.”

Mr Farrell said that it was a solo trip for him, organised in full by himself completely as an independent aid worker outside any of the aid agencies, it was a journey into the unknown at that time, but he is immensely happy he did it and he quoted as he called it the “Truism, that actions speak louder than words”.

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Seann Farrell in Przemysl near Ukraine Border

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Seann is the founder of Mindstream Life Coach Training.