Paralysed mum offered rehab bed in London

A PARALYSED mother who couldn’t get a rehab bed in Ireland has been offered a place at a top clinic in England.

Catherine O’Leary, 31, from Co Cork, could begin vital and intensive rehab therapy at the leading Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, near London, within weeks.

It specialises in treating people who have suffered brain damage or nervous system damage after traffic accidents or illnesses.

Her father Pat, who has constantly fought to highlight her plight, visited the Putney centre over the weekend.

Its medical experts told him yesterday that Catherine can take up a place for treatment within the next 30 days. He said he is overjoyed.

“The final arrangements have yet to be finalised but we can start to get Catherine ready now. She is doing brilliantly,” he said.

The initial phase of treatment will take at least 12 weeks and Catherine could be at the centre for up to nine months. Pat said he will remain at his daughter’s bedside throughout.

It is understood the Health Service Executive will pick up the tab.

The Ballincollig mother of one was left paralysed after surgery to remove a brain tumour in February.

She suffered “locked-in syndrome” which left her fully alert, awake and aware of what is going on around her, but unable to move or speak. She could only communicate by blinking — once for yes, twice for no.

Doctors said she needed a rehab bed, but none were available in Ireland.

Catherine has been confined to a high dependency bed in Cork University Hospital (CUH) ever since.

She has made huge strides in recent weeks, battling chest infections, the MRSA superbug, and even regaining some control of her speech.

She acted as godmother at her nephew’s christening in CUH the weekend before last.

Her brother, Shane, who lives in New York, raised $10,000 in a one-night fundraiser there last week. He is planning a sponsored run with friends around Central Park next week.

Meanwhile, fundraising in Cork continues through the Catherine O’Leary Fund, which is based at the Permanent TSB bank, North Main Street, Cork, account number 12536790, sort code 99-07-07.