A 28-YEAR-OLD West Cork woman, who had a debilitating stroke four years ago, is hoping a Go Fund Me campaign will allow her travel to Florida for ground-breaking new medical treatment.
A 28-YEAR-OLD West Cork woman, who had a debilitating stroke four years ago, is hoping a Go Fund Me campaign will allow her travel to Florida for ground-breaking new medical treatment.
Diane O’Donovan, from Ahakista but now living in Ballylickey, with her two children Sophie (8) and Finbarr (5), can’t see with her right eye, her right arm is paralysed, and she uses a leg support for balance because the use of her right leg is also impaired.
But Diane is hoping that the new treatment on offer at the Institute of Neurological Recovery in American will help her – as it has helped others – get mobility back in her arm and her leg, as well as restore the sight in her right eye.
‘It would be great if I could go there and try it and see would happen.
If it would do anything, maybe get my eye back, I would be able to drive again,’ said Diane, who relishes her independence even though she does require some home assistance.
As part of her weekly routine, Diane attends the Dromleigh Resource Centre near the hospital in Bantry three days a week, and enjoys the occupational therapy it provides, as well as the fact that it is a great social outlet.
Diane’s sister Evelyn set up the Go Fund Me campaign – https://www.gofundme.com/fjjck-stroke – with a €13,000 target, which would cover the €10,000 cost of the treatment, plus travel, but all of Diane’s family are helping in every way they can, including her father and mother, Brendan and Mary; her brothers Brendan and Vincent; and her other sisters Marie and Carolyn.
As part of her move towards greater independent living, Diane is also on the lookout for a bungalow nearer to the town of Bantry, but, for now, the hope of restoring the sight in her right eye, is her greatest wish.
To donate, search fjjck-stroke at gofundme.com
