Family relief as Eoin goes into surgery

Louise Walsh

A Meath family are breathing a sigh of relief after their son's crucial spinal surgery - which was cancelled on Monday due to a shortage of nurses - has gone ahead.

Eoin Ward, who is in constant pain from a 94% curvature of the spine is undergoing the surgery, which could last up to six hours, this morning at Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin.

The family were left devastated on Monday after the surgery for which they had been waiting two years was cancelled last minute because the hospital was one short of the three nurses needed for the Intensive Care Unit.

Parents Catriona and Declan from Clonard said they were overwhelmed with all the support received since they highlighted the situation through the media.

Eoin who is mostly peg fed, had been told last July that he needed surgery as soon as possible or he would have no quality of life because of high pain levels and infected bed sores.

The 16-year-old, constantly smiles despite pain from Holoprosencephaly, epilepsy and cerebral palsy and scoliosis.  His scoliosis began about six years ago with rapid deterioration from 84% curvature of the spine to almost 100% today.
Speaking this morning from the hospital, Catriona and Declan said: "We are happy to let you know that Eoin has gone for surgery.

"It's been a very difficult week for us, but the support that we've received from the public has blown us away.

"The kind words and well wishes for Eoin and our family has meant more to us than we can express.  We would also like to thank the media for helping us get Eoin's story out there and helping to highlight the difficulties nurses and doctors face every day in our health system.

"A massive thanks also to all the hard working staff at Temple Street and in particular, Mr Conor Greene and his team"