Boy treated for Batten’s now off anti-seizure drugs

CHASING waves on Inch Beach is a far cry from pioneering brain surgery in New York City but it’s a measure of the success the treatment has had on the life of 3-year-old Liam Heffernan.

In addition to his new- found energy, the little boy from Castledrum, Keel, Co Kerry — who suffers from Batten’s Disease, a rare and fatal disorder — has been completely weaned off his anti-seizure medication.

“Before surgery, he was experiencing eight to 10 seizures a day,” said dad Tony. “Since surgery last May we think he may have had a total of three seizures. Over the past month his doctors slowly reduced his medication and now Liam is completely weaned. That’s a big, big step,” Tony said.