Sophie, 6, honoured in fight for life

A Limerick girl who was given just four days to live after she was born will be honoured this weekend for overcoming huge obstacles in her life.

Sophie Mulcahy, 6 , is one of only 40 people in the world to suffer from a condition called 1q43 deletion.

The youngster’s heart was so weak when she was born that her parents Stacey and Liam were told she only had four days to live.

The first year of her life was the toughest, as she underwent six heart surgeries, including one when she was just 12 days old and on another occasion two life-saving operations in one day.

In between spending the first six months of her life on a ventilator at Crumlin Children’s Hospital, she suffered other setbacks, such as lung and kidney failure.

However, Sophie, despite being unable to walk or talk or feed herself, has overcome every hurdle.

Last month specialist doctors in Manchester finally established she had the rare genetic condition 1q43 deletion.

Her proud parents, who have two other children Dion, 12, and Kayla, 4, said they finally have reason to hope that one day their determined daughter will walk and talk.

Liam, 32, said: “Up to October of this year we thought Sophie was suffering from another rare condition called Ohdo syndrome. But now we know exactly what it is it gives us a path and a plan for the future.

“Considering she was given just four days to live when she was born, it’s just incredible what she has done and overcome.

“The first year of her life was extremely tough, but her cardiologist is amazed at her progress and the period from February this year up to now is the healthiest she’s ever been. She’s not been into hospital at all in this period and her heart is now perfect.

“Although I can’t see there ever being a cure as such for Sophie, I’m hopeful that one day she may walk, talk, and eat properly and what we’re doing now, with intensive physio work and speech and language therapy, will help get us there.”

Sophie’s incredible progress will be recognised next Saturday night when she will be one of eight children to be honoured at Share A Dream’s National Children of Courage Awards gala ball in Limerick.

The event, which will be co-hosted by broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan and Will Leahy, will be followed up by a special trip to Disneyland Paris for all the youngsters.

Organiser Shay Kinsella said: “These children are nominated all over Ireland by parents, doctors, nurses, and relatives, who write to us detailing the daily trauma, loneliness, and fear which is part of having your child diagnosed with a terrible illness or disability.

“It is truly heartbreaking to witness the hardship these families and children experience.”

Liam, who was inspired by his daughter to set up the charity Cycle 4 Sick Children to help other sick youngsters, added: “It’s an exciting time ahead for Sophie, with the Share A Dream ball and then Christmas coming up. We take every day as it comes, but the future is looking a lot brighter now.”