In Lucan, a community has rallied in support of Elizabeth McNicholas, a 34-year-old local resident grappling with severe brain and spinal injuries. A fundraiser is set to take place on April 26 at the Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club, with the aim of helping Elizabeth access crucial neurorehabilitation that is not available in Ireland.
Confined to a full-time wheelchair and suffering from complex medical needs alongside severe neuropathic pain, Elizabeth McNicholas’s life changed drastically during her academic years. Her conditions forced her to abandon her Domestic Science teacher-training after a diagnosis derailed her studies.
In a bid to regain some semblance of normalcy, Elizabeth underwent several critical surgeries in Istanbul in 2018. The operations provided a glimmer of hope for Elizabeth, leading to an improvement in her condition.
Subsequent summers saw Elizabeth engaging in intensive neurorehabilitation at the Neurokinex Gatwick clinic in the UK. Through dedication and exhaustive work, she achieved milestones such as sitting up unaided and improved the functioning of her right arm. These notable improvements underscore the importance of continuing her specialized treatment.
The high costs associated with the specialized neurorehabilitation at Neurokinex Gatwick present financial barriers, necessitating the community’s support to fund Elizabeth’s ongoing therapy.
Source: The Echo Newspaper