A SEVEN-year-old boy who has a rare bone growth disorder marked a special Christmas at home this year with his family following a recent operation at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin.
Two years ago, Conor Coughlan, from Ballinhassig, Co Cork, was diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia. The condition causes curvature of the spine and breathing difficulties.
The youngster needs “growing rods” in his back to straighten his spine. He has to undergo surgery every six months to have the rods lengthened as he grows bigger. He also suffers from scoliosis and inward turning hips.
Conor’s case hit the headlines earlier this year when a vital operation he was due to have in May was delayed. A hip operation was finally secured for August after some intense campaigning on behalf of parents Con and Mary.
Out of desperation, Mary contacted her local TD, Simon Coveney, earlier this year asking him to raise Conor’s plight in the Dáil. During an Oireachtas debate in June, the Cork South Central TD said keeping children with severe spinal conditions on waiting lists longer than six months was tantamount to “State-imposed child abuse”.
Yesterday, Con Coughlan said he was overjoyed at the progress of his son. The improvement has made for a very joyful Christmas for Con, Mary and their 10-year-old daughter Cliona.
“Conor got up on Christmas morning and walked the whole day. We called to a friend’s place and they couldn’t get over him. He used to shuffle around . . . He walked in to Mass. We are so happy, it is unreal. He has a good few appointments for physiotherapy and hydrotherapy in the new year. We are glad he is in the system and being taken care of. We are hoping he will be walking to school after Christmas.”
His parents have been very vocal in their protest against cutbacks at Crumlin: over €9 million in cuts resulted in a waiting list of 160 children for orthopaedic surgery. Mr Coughlan said it was heartbreaking parents should have to struggle to see their child receives his most basic rights.