West Cork girl Féile O’Sullivan upbeat after over 40 operations

Teenager who lost her legs in a devastating accident had a major surgery last week and another this week, which doctors told her mother Maureen are considered milestones in her progress

Local councillor Finbarr Harrington, who is a spokesman for Féile O'Sullivan's family, said her doctors 'can’t believe is how positive this 13-year-old is remaining through all of this'. 

Féile O’Sullivan has now had over 40 operations with another major surgery this week as the young West Cork girl battles to recover from a devastating farm accident.

The sports-mad 13-year-old lost both legs and suffered other serious injuries in the accident involving a tractor in Allihies over two months ago.

After receiving emergency care locally and at Cork University Hospital, she was transferred to CHI at Crumlin. She and her mother Maureen have been there since.

“Féile is doing really well considering what she’s been through,” Finbarr Harrington, a local councillor and spokesman for the family, said.

“She’s gone past 40 surgeries now at this stage, it’s phenomenal care, really. It’s nearly unimaginable for her.”

She had a major surgery last week and another this week, which doctors told Maureen are considered milestones in her progress. Mr Harrington said: 

These doctors have seen a lot of badly injured trauma patients, and what they can’t believe is how positive this 13-year-old is remaining through all of this. 

The teenager’s heart is set on getting back to West Cork as soon as she can.

“Her goal still remains the same. Her goal is to be back home and back in school with her school-mates before the end of the school year, which is probably May or June,” he said. “The doctors are telling her that’s ambitious but that’s her goal.”

He is in close contact with Maureen, and said the pair are “just so grateful” for all the support.

“They want to really say how great people have been to them, the support in relation to the fundraising, get well cards and good wishes. People have reached out from all over the world,” he said.

“They are extremely grateful for all that, and extremely grateful for the medical care they’ve been getting right from the accident.”

A GoFundMe campaign, 'Stand For Féile' is supported by the GAA and other sports clubs, artists, farming events, singers, and events from raffles to long-distance cycles. 

Up to today, it has raised over €610,000.

A four-person committee is now co-ordinating offers from architects and others to start work on supports for the next challenges facing Féile.