‘If ever an appeal fund deserved to be supported it is this one’

A FINANCIAL support group has been set up to help the country’s only child suffering a rare medical condition.

Two-year-old Jordan Power has ITO (Incontinentia Pigmenti Achromians) syndrome, which requires full-time care.

The son of Sham and Gillian Power of Glencairn outside Lismore, Jordan has poor sight and hearing. He has to be tube fed into the abdomen because he cannot feed orally, and suffers severe breathing difficulties.

This has led to huge problems at night time — Jordan only gets one-and-a-half hours sleep per day. While his exhausted parents give all the love, affection and support that they can, the massive medical expenses are another major concern.

The Jordan Support Group has been set up to raise funds that will help defray costs incurred for physiotherapy equipment and travel expenses to the clinics Jordan is attending in Waterford and Dublin.

Group secretary Eileen Foley knows all about the heartbreak of having a special needs child.

She lovingly cared for her daughter for 17 years before she died just over four years ago.

“We are devising several ways of fundraising and we are appealing to the generosity of the people of West Waterford and beyond for support,” Eileen said.

“We have opened a special Jordan Support Group account at the AIB branch in Tallow to which people can contribute.”

Members of the group are currently travelling across Co Waterford selling €2 tickets for a draw which will take place in the Corner House pub in Tallow on May 19, when a major social evening will also be held as part of the fundraiser.

“Jordan’s story is one that is touching the heart strings of everyone,” said Eileen. “People are won over by that smile of his, and if ever an appeal fund deserved to be supported it is this one.”

Anyone who would like to help can make a donation to the AIB branch in Tallow, account number 01936091.