EIGHT CHILDREN from around the country, all facing battles against serious illness or disability, were honoured at a ceremony in Limerick at the weekend.
The children were selected from many deserving nominations for the Share A Dream “National Children of Courage Awards” honoured at a gala ball in the Radisson Hotel in Limerick.
“These children were nominated from all over Ireland by parents, doctors, nurses, relatives who all write to us detailing the daily trauma, loneliness and fear, which is part of having your child diagnosed with a terrible illness or disability. It is truly heartbreaking to witness the hardship these families and children experience,” said Shay Kinsella, founder of Share A Dream Foundation.
The organisation works with children’s charities all over Ireland.
Among the award winners on Saturday night was 11-year-old Rebecca O’Donovan from Cork who suffered a stroke when she was just seven.
Five-year-old Luke Sheedy from Co Limerick, who was put on a respirator after he was born, was also honoured. “Luke continues to beat the odds with his fighting spirit.
He is a plucky, brave, courageous, determined little boy and with all he has achieved so far, the sky is definitely the limit for him,” said preschool supervisor, Patrique Ryan.
Colm Dunne from Kilkenny was only a year old when he was diagnosed with retinoblastomas – malignant tumours in both eyes. “Colm is truly a courageous child,” said Prof Michael O’Keefe from Temple Street hospital.
At just 10 months, Jade Whelan from Wexford was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. “She is always smiling, no matter what is thrown at her,” said Louise Armstrong, physiotherapist at St John’s hospital in Enniscorthy.
The other award winners were Eoin Buckley from Derry, Scott Clemenger from Dublin, Ethan Smyth from Galway and Lisa Woods from Monaghan.