Vital trips to Crumlin mean a lot of missed school

Facing into your first big state examination is daunting for anyone, but imagine the additional challenge when you end up in a wheelchair — as Niamh Costello did.

Diagnosed with juvenile arthritis when her knee swelled at age three, the 15-year-old, from Bansha, Co Tipperary, went into remission for a number of years, until at age seven, her joints began to swell again.

“I remember being in the Japanese Gardens in Kildare having a picnic when Niamh said ‘I can’t stand up’,” recalls Wendy, her Mum.