28/01/2021
** UPDATED**
On behalf of Níamh – Peter and Megan, childhood friends are reaching out to those near and far to raise vital funds to give Níamh the quality of life that will not come easily due to a tragic accident in October 2020, but a quality of life that she deserves.
Níamh suffered a C4/C5 complete spinal cord injury which means that she has no feeling below her upper chest, has limited use of her arms, and no use of her hands or fingers. At present, Níamh will require 24/7 care, to ensure her basic needs are met daily. Níamh will require an adapted car to allow her to attend vital appointments and physio. Within the home, Níamh will require specialised equipment to ensure her holistic development is met on a daily basis.
Niamh was moved from Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown to the Mater Hospital Dublin for surgery. After a 7 hour surgery, Niamh spent 10 days in ICU on ventilators before being moved to the National Spinal Injury Unit. Niamh's wound from the first surgery was not healing which resulted in another surgery on December 9th.
Niamh spent Christmas and her 23rd birthday in hospital. With current restrictions because of Covid-19, Niamh was allowed no visitors during this time period. Dara, Niamh's mam, was allowed in to visit Niamh after fighting for Niamh's rights to having visitors while being a long term patient in hospital.
Niamh moved to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire on January 6th to start her rehabilitation journey. Following this will continue to require ongoing and intensive long-term care and support. The reality is that the provision of this long-term care and support for Níamh will necessitate significant funding over many years.
Her journey will be a long and difficult one and the focus will continue on ensuring the best possible care to maximise the potential in Niamh’s recovery.
Many people would know Níamh, through her involvement in her community and beyond. Níamh worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic in her local SuperValu/Tara News as a frontline worker and always served the village with a smile, putting the needs of the community ahead of her own safety.
This major fundraising effort is designed to enable and assist Níamh in her fightback from this life-changing injury. Níamh is determined to create as normal a life for herself as she can and craves the independence that so many of us take for granted.
The family would like to thank the community for the support they have given thus far and appreciate any future assistance.
The funds raised will be crucial in assisting Níamh in the long road to recovery.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-namh-23-paralysed-after-a-tragic-fall
On behalf of Níamh – Peter and Megan, childhood friends are reaching out … Peter Hobbs needs your support for Support Níamh, 23 paralysed after a tragic fall.
