Parents of seriously ill tot plead for housing move
Deirdre and Vincent Collins from Gurranabraher in Cork said they are becoming increasingly frustrated with the delays as Daniel, two, faces a fresh battle with illness.
“I feel that our case is not being given the attention it deserves,” Deirdre said.
“The council needs to stop thinking of Daniel as a file and think of him as an actual person.”
Daniel, who was born healthy on June 24, 2010, was struck down a week later with a rare form of the Adeno Virus.
Known as the killer cold virus, it attacked his respiratory system preventing him from breathing on his own.
A medical team from Sweden was flown into Cork on July 11, 2010 to perform a lifesaving heart and lung bypass, and Daniel was put on a special machine to supply him with oxygen.
He was transferred to the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm where he spent 1,224 hours on the machine — a new medical record for a baby.
During his eight-week stay, he suffered heart, lung and kidney failure but against all the odds, he became the only known baby to survive the virus.
He was transferred to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin for 12 weeks, then to Cork University Hospital for six weeks, before he was well enough to return home on Jan 17, 2011.
But the virus caused extensive damage to his lungs — the full extent of which is only becoming apparent now.
Daniel, who contracted pneumonia recently, is in CUH again for new tests on his lungs.
His parents have been told that if he doesn’t respond to antibiotics, he may need a lung transplant.
Daniel needs constant care, and has a suction machine, an oxygen machine, monitors and spare cylinders to help him breath.
Doctors said the family’s current council home is not suitable for his complex medical needs — it is too small and dampness is posing a risk to his fragile health.
But the council told his parents last year that they could be waiting up to five years for an extension to be sanctioned.
Deirdre said their only other option was to seek a housing transfer. She said they were told 10 months ago that a four-bedroom house nearby was available
“The extra bedroom would give Daniel his own room where his medical equipment could be stored.
“It would also give the family more privacy as the nurse could stay in his bedroom to monitor him while he sleeps by night.
“We let the council know that we were interested six months ago and were told that we had a very good chance of getting the house based on our situation.
“However, despite continuous phone calls to the council and to local councillors, there has been no progress made on the house transfer.”
City Hall said it was not in a position to comment until it has examined the circumstances of the case.
Deirdre said despite everything, they wouldn’t change anything. “Even after everything Daniel has been through, he has the brightest smile and it makes everything seem worthwhile.”
