Hearing gift from dead mother
Bobby Maher might hear properly for the first time later this year if two consultants at Birmingham Children’s Hospital find him suitable for the implants.
It was his mother’s wish that her second youngest child never be marginalised because of his hearing problems. Susan Maher rallied at his side through a hole-in-the-heart operation when he was three.
It was then discovered he had hearing problems and Ms Maher took him from their home in Kilkenny to Dublin daily for sign language classes. Using Irish sign language, they communicated with one another as they left home at 6am and returned each night.
But as they were returning from Dublin on December 2, 2002, the car crashed just minutes from their home. Ms Maher died instantly. Miraculously, Bobby escaped uninjured.
Today, Bobby’s dad, Mikey, and eldest sister, Annie,16, will board a plane with him to Birmingham. They will be assessed at Birmingham Children’s Hospital over the next few days.
If Bobby is deemed suitable for the operation, a trust fund set up in his mother’s memory will pay for the assessment, the operation and the costs associated with the surgery.
“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 after her death.
“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 ... it will mean a new lease of life not just for Bobby but for the entire Maher family.”
