Touch of magic as Patricia leaves hospital for final time after 1,069 days

A TOUCH of Hollywood came to a Co Limerick village at the weekend as a huge welcome home party was held for a 22-year-old woman who spent almost three years in hospital.

Patricia Ingle was left paralysed and on a ventilator after contracting a rare brain disease, she says she contracted while working at a pet store.

Patricia recently secured a multimillion euro High Court settlement which will enable her to travel to Oxford next week for rehabilitation treatment at the Oxford Centre for Enablement.

In her legal action, Patricia alleges she suffered her injuries after contracting chlamydia psittacosis — an airborne infection which can be transferred from birds to humans — while working at Petmania, Ennis Road, Limerick, in 2008. She also alleged her condition was negligently mismanaged by the HSE.

On Saturday night her family and friends threw a massive Hollywood-themed fancy-dress party at their home in Murroe to celebrate her return from hospital after 1,069 days.

Patricia was a nightly inpatient at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital since last Christmas, when her family got to bring her home for the first time.

Until last week, they had to suffer the heartache of bringing her back to hospital every evening.

Patricia wore a Cinderella dress for her party to celebrate the fact that, unlike the fairytale character, she wouldn’t have to leave the party before midnight.

Her sister Melissa said the family is thrilled to finally have her at home full time. “It has been brilliant but I don’t think we are used to it yet because everyone is so busy preparing for the party,” she said. “We haven’t really sat down yet or relaxed as a family.

“But certainly not having to visit her in the hospital has been great, and the fact that people can come and visit her here.”

Saturday night’s party was also a farewell affair as Patricia and her parents will move to Oxford next week for intensive rehabilitation.

Because Patricia is permanently on a ventilator, there is no suitable place for her to avail of treatment here. Her mother, Annette Ingle recently spoke of her disappointment that her youngest daughter is forced to travel for the treatment she requires.

“I am very disappointed that there isn’t a place for people like Patricia to receive treatment here,” she said. “It amazes me that it’s so easy to get over to England but that she can’t get treated in her own country.”

It is hoped that attempts will also be made in Oxford to wean the 22-year-old off the ventilator machine.

“Patricia is determined to walk again and she’s already proved she can take a few steps but it would be just so wonderful if she could get off the ventilator,” her mother added.