Six-year-old Kian is back home in plenty of time for Christmas

As well as treating his illness, CUH was there every step of the way to help this boy return to normal life with his family

Kian Barnes-Aabo with his mum Sarah, dad Charlie, and sister Sophie on Kian's last day at Crumlin children's hospital. Sophie's care for her brother won the hearts of the nation on the 2019 'Late Late Toy Show'. 

After spending a staggering 750 days in hospital, six-year-old Kian Barnes-Aabo recently came home from Cork University Hospital (CUH), still in need of a ventilator to breathe at night, but hugely improved. His mother, Sarah, said the family is "absolutely delighted". 

"And I can't describe how thrilled Kian is. It has been such a long time," she says. It is, she says, difficult for a small child "to keep the faith that they will get home".