Cork girl who spent six months bedbound delighted with Leaving Cert results 

Sarah Thompson O’Sullivan fully embraced school life despite the challenges posed by a range of health conditions which include scoliosis, clubbed feet, a dislocated hip, and torticollis

Sarah Thompson O’Sullivan from Terence MacSwiney Community College who received her leaving cert results.

Sarah Thompson O’Sullivan recalls how she was unable to attend school after a serious health condition left the Cork student bedbound for six months.

Years on from that extremely challenging time, the 19-year-old today celebrated as she received her Leaving Cert results at Terence MacSwiney Community College in Hollyhill. Despite having to study and sit the exams while in pain, the Knocknaheeny woman received 456 points, and said she was delighted with her results. "I am really happy" she told the Irish Examiner, "I couldn't have asked for any more."

Sarah fully embraced school life despite the challenges posed by a range of health conditions which include scoliosis, clubbed feet, a dislocated hip, and torticollis — a neck condition impacting the muscles.

Not only did Sarah manage to study through excruciating pain, she also penned a poetry book, The Things Left Unsaid, and launched a podcast The Lost Library with the help of staff at Terence McSwiney Community College. However, she acknowledges that none of this would have been possible without the encouragement of her principal Phil O’Flynn, and teachers, specifically Eva Corbett.

Sarah Thompson O’Sullivan with Minister for Education Norma Foley.

Sarah describes how being left bedbound for six months in primary school after major surgery made her realise how lucky Irish children are to have access to education. Even during the tougher days that were dominated by pain, Sarah persevered to make it to school in the run up to her Leaving Cert exams.

Apart from her bravery, she has left her mark on the school in other unique ways, having participated in the national initiative All Ways Home last year. The collaborative process saw young people from all over Ireland come together to create a poem etched on Ireland’s first ever space satellite EIRSAT-1.

Sarah spoke about how her experiences intensified her passion for education.

“In primary school when I was bedbound for six months reading was pretty much the only thing I could do, and I’ve loved it ever since. It gave me something to do and from a young age I was reading at a higher level. I’m hoping to study English in UCC and maybe write a novel someday.”

Family support

 She acknowledged the support from her family adding: “My grandad was bringing me to school for as long as I can remember. In primary school when I needed extra help he would carry my bag to my classroom for me. In secondary school he drove me to the door and carried my bags to the door too. Everyone loves him. My whole family has been very supportive. When it comes to the Leaving Cert they are always reminding me that I can only do my best.” 

While studying for her exams Sarah frequently experienced excruciating pain.

“I did find it difficult, especially with the hip pain I had in school. This is really hard when you are sitting in a classroom for 40 minutes and coming home to study. It was difficult at home sitting at my desk and studying for long periods. Now, the Leaving Cert is over I see I could have done more, had I not been dealing with so much pain. I think reading and writing was my main escape. I always found time to write a poem.” 

“When you go through something like this you have to grow up more quickly than you should sometimes. This is probably why I’m like the mother of my friend group at school. Growing up, having various operations meant I was around adults a lot. As a result, I missed out on being around other children and that’s why I thought and spoke like an adult.”

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Receiving her Leaving Cert results was a proud day for Sarah and her family.

“To be honest it was so difficult to get to where I am. There were plenty of times where I could have given up, but I’m so glad that I didn’t.”

 She paid tribute to Terence MacSwiney Community College.

“It would have been a lot easier to give up without that school. Their focus isn’t just on the academic aspect of education. They are also so encouraging of people pursuing creative goals. There are so many great success stories to come out of the school.”