The Consulate General of Ireland New York welcomed athlete, innovator and campaigner Mark Pollock on the first day of Irish American Heritage Month and the St Patrick's Day season.
Happy Irish American History Month! The St Patrick's Day season kicked off in style in New York with the Consulate General of Ireland New York hosting their First Friday Networking Breakfast and welcoming one of Ireland's most inspiring figures.
Mark Pollock is an Irish athlete, innovator and campaigner who became the first blind person to race to the South Pole. He spoke on Friday morning about how he "feared I was going to have to sit on the sidelines" when he first went blind and how began on a "quest to rebuild my identity as a competitor."
Full house at the March #FirstFriday @IrelandinNY Networking Breakfast with inspirational athlete and speaker @markpollock despite the morning snow ⛄️☘️ pic.twitter.com/9wP8q79Jbn
— EIIC (@EIIC1) March 1, 2019
Pollock more than rebuilt that identity, competing in ultra-endurance races across mountains and deserts, as well as his trek to the South Pole.
He told the crowd that the South Pole endeavor was a "graduation in the adventure world, proving to myself that I didn't have to be a spectator."
Great first Friday @IrelandinNY! Can’t wait to watch @markpollock on his ted talk! https://t.co/S6PnXREX68
— Catherine Slattery (@SlattCat) March 1, 2019
In 2010, however, after the South Pole race, Pollock was left paralyzed after falling from a second-story window. He went on to create the Mark Pollock Trust, which fundraises to cure paralysis in our lifetime. He is also the co-founder of the global running series Run in the Dark.
Informative and uplifting discussion with @markpollock at today’s #firstfriday. Thank you for sharing your story! pic.twitter.com/15T2deEuIF
— Irish Consulate NYC (@IrelandinNY) March 1, 2019
Having being inspired by stories of exploration while he was finding his identity again after going blind, Pollock said that he established the Trust as a means of further exploration, looking for those around the world who were "pushing the boundaries of the narrative" about paralysis.
It was great spending the morning with the Irish in NY - I could have stayed and chatted all day! I hope a few of you will get to join us for @TheRunInTheDark in NY in November
— Mark Pollock (@markpollock) March 1, 2019
The campaigner explained how he now uses his own story to build the relationships needed to further collaboration in curing paralysis, speaking around the world and organizing "Run in the Dark" to make "connections with people who do have the money and with people who need it" to have the most impact he can.
You can find out more about his story and how you can get involved here.
Read more: Irish couple rock TED talks with ideas on resolving tension between acceptance and hope
The First Friday breakfasts are a staple of the Irish community in New York. They present a great opportunity to connect with the Irish & Irish-American community in the greater New York region. Attendees are offered the chance to promote an event that is of interest to the Irish diaspora in New York or simply hear the latest community, cultural and business news.
Join us at the Consulate on Friday 1 March for the next in our series of #firstfriday networking breakfasts. We will be joined by the inspirational athlete, speaker and campaigner @markpollock Sign up at https://t.co/TFR1AZqV89 pic.twitter.com/T5KH4tyCNn
— Irish Consulate NYC (@IrelandinNY) February 21, 2019
Looking for events in your community this St Patrick’s Day or to share further information on the March 17 celebrations in your area? Join our St Patrick’s Day 2019 group and celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2019 in proper Irish style.
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