€60k raised to send boy with bionic ear to US
The good news comes after fundraisers collected the €60,000 needed to pay for his treatment.
Calum Geary, aged three-and-a-half and from Ballyhooly, Co Cork, will fly out to the John Treacy Clinic in Los Angeles on Jul 2 where he will undergo a month of intensive audio/verbal therapy.
Calum was born deaf, but, thanks to pioneering technology, recently underwent ABI (Auditory Brainstem Implants) at Manchester University Hospital.
The operation involved inserting 21 electrodes in to his brain and attaching them to a small box in his ear.
The Geary family have made four trips back to Manchester in the past five weeks for post-operative checks and Calum’s father Andrew said they were pleased with his progress.
“We will have to wait six to 12 months before there are definite signs. We are hopeful, though, as we’ve seen one or two positive signs the device is working,” Andrew said.
The next stage in Calum’s treatment will involve further intensive post-operative care at the world-renowned Los Angeles clinic.
“Calum will go out there with me, his mother Helen, twin brother Donnacha, and older brothers Matthew and Barry,” Andrew said.
He added that the family wanted to thank people the length and breadth of the country for raising the €60,000 needed to pay for Calum’s treatment.
“I especially want to thank the people of Ballydesmond, Co Cork. It’s a very small parish, but yet they raised €18,000, which is unreal,” Andrew said.
Two further fundraisers are planned next month, after which his trust fund will be closed.
Gardaí in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, will be undertaking a sponsored parachute jump and a quiz night has been organised by fundraisers living in Youghal, Co Cork.
Meanwhile, a special thank-you party has been organised for all the trust fund committee members and fundraising organisers. It will be held tomorrow at 9.30pm in the Wagon Tavern in Fermoy.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
