Boy recovering well after brain surgery

THE parents of a two-year-old Kerry boy suffering from a rare disease were praying for the best possible 10th wedding anniversary present — his recovery following pioneering surgery.

Liam Heffernan is reported to be “recovering well” following brain surgery in a New York hospital where his parents, Tony and Mary, remain at his bedside.

Liam, who suffers from the rare neurological disorder Battens disease, became the youngest child ever to undergo a gene transfer procedure trial at Weill Cornell University Hospital.

The couple, who lost their five-year-old daughter Saoirse to the disease in January, are hoping Liam’s body will accept the genes which were administered to 12 locations in his brain through six holes drilled through his skull.

Mr Heffernan said everything went well with Liam soon sitting up and “giving out”.

“Technically, the operation went perfectly. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Liam’s body will accept the genes.

“It was such a relief to see him waking up and being so alert so soon after surgery. However, we’ll have a long wait to see how effective the surgery is. But, for now, we know he’s doing very well.

“One of the leading members of the neurological team seemed surprised and said to us it was absolutely amazing and fantastic to see.

“It was difficult to watch the clock for eight hours without seeing him but the team here kept us fully informed throughout, which helped us a lot.”

Describing his son as “our little star”, he said the operation had been the hardest thing for them since the death of Saoirse, at their home in Keel, Castlemaine, last January.

Since the trial began in August 2010, only four other children worldwide, all Americans, have participated in gene transfer treatment.

The Heffernans received a boost on meeting the parents of another child who went through a similar procedure. Their son had the treatment four weeks ago and they have seen an improvement in his condition.