This article is from page 6 of the 2006-11-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
STAFF at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre are to receive specialist firstaid training to operate the room provided by a US couple who lost their first-born baby at the Cliffs of Moher last July.
A County Council spokesman confirmed that all staff at the new €31.5 million Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience will receive first-aid training with two to four personnel receiving advanced training.
Last Friday, Delia and Kelly Stokes travelled to the Cliffs from their home in Phoenix, Arizona to thank all the staff who came to their aid last July when they lost their baby, Nicholas, at the site.
The couple pledged $86,000 towards the provision of a first-aid facility in memory of their prematurely born son. Clare County Council confirmed that it would be naming the new first-aid room the ‘Nicholas Room’ as part of its new visitor centre.
During the visit, Kelly recalled how the women working at the Cliffs centre showed no fear when he told them that his wife needed help.
“When I approached them at the desk and told them what was happening, they just did what they had to do. They were very compassionate, very comforting, told us everything was going to be okay, not to panic and that was the biggest blessing of all.”
Delia said she didn’t think there would have been a different outcome even if there was a dedicated first-aid room in place at the cliffs last July.
“I was 25 weeks pregnant and so, even if I was in a hospital, I don’t think it would have turned out any different. Our focus now is to take something positive out of our tragedy and the opening of the new visitor centre gave us the perfect opportunity to be part of something good.
“Our son is Irish. Nicholas lived for a short time, but I think he is having a greater impact than some people have in an entire lifetime. That is very powerful for us and we feel very blessed by it.”
The couple are due to return to the US today (Tuesday).