Brave little Irish girl seeks American medical treatment to be able to walk

Published Monday, January 21, 2013, 8:14 AM

Updated Monday, January 21, 2013, 8:14 AM

Three-year-old Katie Lonergan needs funds for surgery in Missouri to correct her cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia

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Three year old Katie Lonergan from Co Kilkenny suffers from cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia - a condition that prevents her from being able to walk - but is determined to make her way to the US to acquire medical treatment.

TheJournal.ie reports on young Lonergans inspiring story. Katie, a surviving twin, was born 15 weeks early. She spent the first 19 weeks of her life in the neonatal unit and endured several blood transfusions and heart surgery.

Due to the intense medical treatment in her first few weeks of life, Katie now endures lasting side effects, including being profoundly deaf, and cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia.

Katies parents Aisling and John heard of Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, a surgery that eases muscle spasticity and improves mobility for children with spastic cerebral palsy. The surgery, however, is not available in Ireland, but is offered in Bristol, UK and Missouri, USA.

Determined to see their daughter more mobile, the Lonergans have begun saving up the monumental fees that will help bring Katie to the US for treatment. Although the HSE had begun offering treatment abroad for Irish children at the Bristol facility, it was decided that Katies case was too severe and she would have to go to the US for treatment.

Katies mother Aisling told The Journal that, I would love if the HSE could eventually provide for this because there are so many Irish children who are looking for SDR. Even raising awareness through Katie is all worthwhile.

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Brave little Irish girl seeks American medical treatment to be able to walk