Boy who battled against the odds set for hearing op

A BOY who was born with a hole in the heart and hearing problems and who survived a horrific crash in which his mother was killed is to get the gift of hearing.

Six-year-old Bobby Maher heads to Britain tomorrow for an operation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital which will allow him to hear properly for the first time. He should be there no longer than three days.

The surgery is being funded by thousands of supporters who contributed to the Susan Maher Memorial Trust Fund in her native Kilkenny.

It was his mother Susan’s wish that her second youngest child would never be marginalised because of his hearing problems.

She rallied at his side through a hole in the heart operation when he was very young.

It was then discovered he had hearing problems so Susan took him from their home in Kilkenny to Dublin everyday for sign language classes.

Using Irish sign language, they communicated openly with one another as they left home at 6am and returned each night after dark.

But as they were returning from Dublin on December 2, 2002, the car came off the road just minutes from their home. Susan Maher died instantly.

Miraculously, little Bobby escaped uninjured and was found standing upright in the car by a rescue team.

Bobby’s dad, Mikey, and eldest sister, Annie, 16, are expected to travel to Birmingham with him for the operation. They’ve both learnt sign language and have helped him through difficult times since his mother’s death.

Bobby now attends mainstream school in Kilkenny, as well as receiving sign language tuition in Dublin.

“Please God this will be the answer to Bobby’s prayers. Susan Maher was a truly fantastic woman and she doted over Bobby. It was always her wish that he would hear and we owe it to her memory to give him this chance,” close friend and fundraiser, Cllr Teresa Mullen, said.

She said the Susan Maher Trust Fund was very well supported.

Bobby’s story touched the nation and funds just rolled in.

“If Susan were alive today, she would be as active as any of us, pushing Bobby’s case.

“She spoke at length throughout her short life about getting the very best for him.

“We are very thankful to everyone who donated money to the appeal.

“There will be enough in the fund for the operation. And if there’s more money left over, we will help other children who need similar help. Please God, it will mean a new lease of life not just for Bobby, but for the entire Maher family,” she added.

Donations can still be made to the trust fund at the Bank of Ireland, Kilkenny, sort code 90-60-64 and account number 86814506.