Féile making 'wonderful progress' as family hope to have her home for Christmas
Féile in her motorised chair in hospital. Her mother Maureen says her daughter is already considering the possibility of taking part in the Paralympics.
A 13-year-old girl who lost both of her legs in a farming accident in West Cork on July 2 is continuing “to make wonderful progress” and is able to get around hospital in her motorised chair.
Féile O'Sullivan has had over 60 operations since a tractor accident in her native Allihies just days before her birthday.
She was airlifted to hospital in Cork following the accident and transferred to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin a week later.
Her mother, Maureen O’Sullivan, said that getting home for Christmas is now the priority for her daughter.
“Oh absolutely [it is]," she said. "That would be everything come at once, because in our eyes Christmas was never coming. So I think, yes, that would be amazing.
"There were so many really hard days of not knowing and then being 'what if, what if, what if?’. Not knowing if she would make it... It was always a waiting game. That is the difficult part.”
Maureen told Virgin Media News that, in many ways, the decision to amputate was taken out of their hands by the reality of the situation Féile was facing.
“It wasn’t really a decision, as such," she said. "It was her body decided, is the way we would put it. Unfortunately, there was an awful lot of necrotic tissue; that meant that the decision was no longer ours. So it was either save her or save the legs. So the decision was fairly easy.”
The proud mother said Féile is focusing on her future. She is already planning what she is going to do in the months and years ahead.
“That [planning for the future] drives her completely," said Maureen. "She is like: ‘Oh my God, when I go home I will be able to do that with them, and Mum, I’ll be able to chase them in my chair'. This kind of thing. Or they [her friends] could even hop on the chair with her. Or they will walk the dogs.
"There has never been a moment of ‘Oh, I won’t be able to go there or I won’t be able to do that.’ Which is kind of interesting. And I keep going ‘maybe she just doesn’t realise?’, but she does.
"She has thought of everything. She has thought of more things than I have.”
Maureen says her daughter is already considering the possibility of taking part in the Paralympics, having received countless messages of support from top Irish athletes.
She added that Féile and the family really appreciate all of the fundraising and support they have received since the accident.
“I think it is really important to highlight and thank everyone," said Maureen. "There will never be words to say how grateful we are for everything.”
Meanwhile, an update on the GoFundMe page for the youngster indicates that regaining that little bit of independence has lifted Féile’s spirits.
“She is truly enjoying feeling more like herself again," it states. "More than anything, Féile is deeply grateful. Grateful to be here, grateful for the incredible care she’s receiving, and grateful for every single person who has supported her, sent love, donated, or kept her in their thoughts.
"Your kindness is helping her through every step of this journey, and she feels it every day."
Close to €762,000 has been raised for the appeal. A four-person fundraising committee for Féile met for the first time on the August bank holiday weekend, and the response has been “phenomenal” since then.
Féile will require additional surgery and intensive rehabiliation, specialist care, physiotherapy, emotional support, and home adaptations.
She has been described as being full of life, energy, and fun — a “pure messer” who adores dogs and horses.
Her family say that the accident hasn’t changed who she is, but has instead “changed what she now needs”.
Donations can be made to the appeal for the “true warrior” at https://gofund.me/6ba19485
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