About Colm

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Colm started his professional career as a Graphic Artist and Illustrator for a large Adverting Agency in Dublin. Studying Commercial art at the College of Commerce. Colm worked on both print media and Television Advertising Campaigns for National and International brands. Following a road traffic accident, Colm returned to college where he studied Architectural and Engineering drawing, he then went on to complete a Diploma in Community Management from the National College of Ireland.

Spinal Injuries Ireland

In 1993 Colm set up Spinal Injuries Ireland located in The National Rehabilitation Hospital ​(NRH) and was CEO for 21 years until he stepped down in 2014. During his time as CEO, he helped set up the first community employment scheme in 1995 where all participants had a spinal cord injury, this went on to win first place in the FAS regional community programme in 1995 and 1996.

His journey as a coach really started in 2011 following work he did in Nepal.

Colm was asked by the British Charity Livability to travel to the Spinal Center located in Saanga village, part of the Kavre District in Nepal.

Colm was there to take part in some workshops and to work directly with members of the Spinal Center.

It was while working with some of the staff in the centre Colm realised that he wanted to work more directly with individuals, supporting and enabling them to reach their full potential.
​As CEO of Spinal Injuries Ireland, Colm saw how, with the right support individuals who have sustained serious life changing injuries could achieve amazing things, far more than they thought possible.
​Colm believes coaching brings a structure that is enabling and empowering.

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Colm has always realised the value of setting goals to achieve both personal and professional objectives, even before he became an Executive and Life Coach.

Member and Advisor

- Policy Advisor Spinal Injuries Ireland (SII)

- Founding member European Spinal Cord Injuries Federation (ESCIF)

- Chaired and managed ESCIF working group on Centralisation of Services for people with a disability in Europe.

- Member of the Government Advisory group that was tasked with producing ​

A STRATEGY FOR EQUALITY FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY. 

- Contributor to Department of Health review of Rehabilitation services for people with a disability

- Contributor and writer on a number of government publications on topics.

Including: 

The Rights of People with a Disability

Sexuality and Disability 

The Rehabilitation Strategy in Ireland

Building Regulations

- Member of Health Service Executive (HSE) working group Policy for a Trauma Network for Ireland

- Member of a number of Government Advisory and National Groups on disability issues

- Board Member Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI)

- Columnist for the UK Martial Arts Magazine Combat

- Columnist for the European Martial Arts Magazine Budo Blackbelt

- Regular contributor to Irish Fighter Magazine

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Personal Achievements 

- Scuba Diving

- Qualified Advanced Open Water Diver PADI.

- Competed over 100 cold water scuba dives around the coast of Ireland.

- Kayaking

- Level 2 certificate in Kayaking

- Colm is the first individual with a Spinal Cord Injury to kayak the length of the Shannon River a total distance of over 250 kilometres in 2000. Completed this distance again in 2003.

Less than 60 individuals have completed this challenge in total.

- Qualified Coxin (Powerboat Licence)

- Skydives

- 2 Tandem skydives from 10,000 feet

- (Martial Art) Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do JKD

Colm qualified as Associate Instructor in Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do (Martial Art)

Colm is founder and Head Instructor of Wheelchair Jeet Kune Do (Self defence system for people with a disability)

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