Mark Pollock with his fiancee Simone George at their home in Ranelagh Dublin.RollingNews.ie

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." 

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." 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.