Mornington dad's joy as son undergoes life changing surgery but vows to continue fight for children's rights

A relieved father from Mornington has said that his family can go into the new year with "hope" after his son who has Spina Bifida received the life changing surgery he desperately needed in order to walk again.

Garreth Fitzpatrick's seven-year-old son Connor had had the vital corrective surgery cancelled a number of times since being placed on a waiting list in 2018 resulting in a rapid deterioration of his condition and leaving him wheelchair bound.

The youngster got news last week that his surgery would be going ahead and on Friday underwent the procedure that will give him the chance to walk again.

The surgery was carried out by consultant paediatric orthopaedic surgeon Connor Green in Temple St who recently told the Dail that many children’s futures were being “destroyed” physically and psychologically by inadequate access to care.

Garreth is part of a nationwide group of 82 parents whose children with spina bifida are losing the ability to walk while on “abhorrent waiting lists” and have made a desperate plea to the Minister for Health for immediate action.

Proud dad Garreth Fitzpatrick with sons Connor (7) and Callum (10)

Despite Connor receiving his surgery the passionate dad has vowed to carry on fighting for "Ireland's forgotten children."

He said:

"It feels very surreal because we have been campaigning and fighting for this for so long. We were expecting it to be cancelled with how things had been going recently for people awaiting surgery.

"Up until he actually went down to the theatre, we didn't actually believe it was going to happen.

"We had to say to Connor that if there were sicker children than him then he would have to lose out, we had to try and prepare him for the worst.

"Thankfully the surgery went ahead and it was very successful given the difficulties with Connor's condition. This is part one of a four-part surgery that he is going to have to have over the next year and beyond because the damage that he has developed with his deformity is huge.

"It's only the start of a long road ahead but it's the best Christmas present we could have ever hoped for.

"We are very grateful to Professor Connor Greene and his team for the work they put in. He has the welfare of Connor and other children very much at heart and he will do everything he can to ensure that they have as much of a normal life as they possibly can.

"We feel a little bit embarrassed that Connor he has undergone the first part of his surgery even though he really needs it because we feel sorry for the other parents who are still in limbo."

Garreth also dad to Eleanor (17) and Callum (10) was told by medics that the seven year old could lose his foot unless urgent action was taken. He previously spoke of how "brave" Connor used to look out of his window at other children playing on the green saying his son just wanted to be a "normal boy." He added:

"Up until very recently he has gone from cycling a bike and playing with his friends to now having open pressure sores and spending most of his time in a wheelchair.”

“He sits at the window looking out at his friend's playing on a green that he used to play on and is now being wheeled out by his brother to have to sit watching them is absolutely heart-breaking."

Garreth says he is more determined than ever to support The “Paediatric Advocacy Group for children with spina bifidia and hydrocephalus.”

"We are asking all of the county councils in Ireland to endorse a motion that we have, that will be sent to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly," he said.

"This part one of four-part campaign to highlight the level of neglect to our children who are suffering at the hand of Children's Health Ireland, The HSE and the state.

"Our campaign will not stop until our children's health and welfare is put to the front and the waiting lists for children with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus is sorted. We are not asking for anything more than what they deserve.

"We are pleading with party leaders especially government parties and independent groups to not ignore this, back us up, show your care, put yourselves in the shoes of parents."

For anyone who would like further information on The “Paediatric Advocacy Group for children with spina bifidia and hydrocephalus group you can contact:

amandacoughlan@live.ie or unakeightley@gmail.com