Seamus Greene, director, National Parents' & Siblings' Alliance (NPSA).
Personal/family:Married to Maureen with three grown-up children - Dermot, Paula and Helen.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
The person I most admire is Brian Cowen when he was Minister for Health. He said he was aware of the difficulties faced by families with disabilities and that he would try to improve things. He kept his word in 1999 with a funding plan we call the Cowen Plan. While it didn't solve all the problems it was a big first step.
What other career might you have chosen?
I spent 33 years of my life as a member of the teaching profession but I would have loved to have worked in radio or TV.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
My first wish would be for organisation. In my job, I listen to people who express their amazement and anger at the difficulties they face in getting a co-ordinated service for their children with disabilities. Second, empathy and understanding. The greatest difficulty for many parents is that some of the people who are helping them don't seem to understand the experience of having to deal with the challenges of raising a child with a disability and also battling a system which seems oblivious to their plight. Finally, I would wish for a sense of pride for those who work in the health services. It must be very difficult being part of a system which is universally criticised.
What is your greatest fear?
I have two big fears. The first would be for me to die and to leave Maureen coping with the challenges we face as parents of a person with an intellectual disability. I also fear that we both would die and that Helen would be left in an inappropriate service.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
I have been a patient and I thought I was an impatient patient.
When or where are you happiest?
I took a year off my teaching career to learn radio and television production. It was the happiest year of my life. Of course, my wedding day was pretty good too.
How do you cope with stress?
I talk a lot to anyone who will listen to me. I also take a lot of exercise.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
I don't give in easily.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
I talk too much about myself - particularly when I'm under stress.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
I don't. However, a few years ago a friend of mine offered to give me a number of sessions of reflexology and I found it very relaxing.
Who or what makes you laugh?
A lot of things make me laugh, usually television programmes like The Family.
What is your motto?
Attitude is more powerful than language.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
I have been watching Eastenderssince it started. It's worth the misery for the occasional gems.
What books would you bring to a desert islands?
A book by John Steinbeck called To a God Unknownand Last Ordersby Graham Swift.
In conversation with Fiona Tyrrell