Boy walks tall for Christmas after surgery

A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy who suffers from a rare disorder of bone growth was “walking tall” this Christmas Day having gained about an inch in height from a recent operation at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.

Two years ago, Conor Coughlan, from Ballinhassig, Co Cork, was diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia – a rare disorder of bone growth.

The condition results in curvature of the spine and causes breathing difficulties. The youngster needs “growing rods” in his back to straighten his spine. He has to undergo surgery every six months to have the rods lengthened as he grows bigger.