Daughter 'trying to keep ship afloat' while parents care for sick child rewarded with Disneyland trip

The Ó Beaglaoi Family from An Rinn, Co Waterford, parents Pádraig and Cáit, with daughters Líle Céití, Aoileann, and Ciana, with son Maidhc. Picture: Patrick Browne

A teenager who cared for her siblings after their sister fell seriously ill is finally getting the chance to be a child again as she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.

Ciana Ó Beaglaoi, who recently turned 18, received a phone call inviting her and her family who live in Ring, Waterford, to holiday with the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club charity. Some 82 people were due to fly out on Tuesday morning as part of an initiative rewarding deserving children who have been impacted by illness or trauma.

Volunteers, who ordinarily work as doctors, nurses, social workers, ambulance personnel, HSE secretaries, security officers, and gardaí have all taken annual leave from their jobs to help assist on the trip.

Ciana had been caring for her siblings Maidhc, then 10, and Líle-Céití, seven, as their 15-year-old sister Aoileann endured a five-week stay in Cork University Hospital late last year. 

Aoileann, who has Down syndrome and is tube-fed and non-verbal, has extremely complex needs which require both parents to help with her care. 

Therese McNamee, Milo Murray, Anna Murray, and nurse Christine Tobin at an information meeting for the Cork City Hospitals Children's Club trip to Disneyland. Picture: David Creedon

During a period where her condition had rapidly deteriorated, Ciana stepped in as “mammy” to allow parents Cáit and Pádraig to spend time by Aoileann’s side in hospital.

With no family living nearby, Ciana did everything from packing her siblings’ lunches and preparing their hair in the morning to organising school collections with neighbours.

Her mum Cáit recalled the call that lifted their spirits following a very difficult few years.

“We got a call from one of the nurses to invite us to Disneyland. It was so lovely to see our eldest daughter Ciana, in particular, being recognised," Cáit said.

"She was trying to keep the ship afloat by stepping in as mammy and daddy. There were big shoes to fill, but she kept it all together.

"It's so nice to see siblings being recognised, because many of them have no choice but to manage. There is an uncertainty and anxiety that comes with having to get up and get lunchboxes ready, along with all the other responsibilities," she added.

Dr Liz Barry, Cathy O'Connell, and Dr Paul Ryan will also be helping out with organising the trip to Disneyland, Paris. Picture: David Creedon

She praised her daughter's resilience, adding: “Myself and Pádraig have no family that are local to where we live, which at times like this can be very isolating. There were family that were able to come up at weekends to alleviate the stress for Ciana, but the majority of the time it was all her.” 

Pádraig will stay at home with Aoileann due to her medical requirements.

“They really wanted them to have this opportunity. Aoileann is too medically complex to travel. She has considerable mobility issues, so it just wouldn’t be suitable for her, whereas it will be the trip of a lifetime for the others," said Cáit.

"The charity was so considerate because it realises that sometimes siblings get brushed aside. 

"Obviously, Aoileann has to take priority, especially when it got so serious and she was hospitalised for that long. You have to pour your heart into the child that’s so sick. That’s why it’s so great that the other children are getting this opportunity. 

"Despite Ciana coping with more responsibilities than most adults, she is still just a child a heart. While her younger siblings were counting down the days left until Disneyland, she was counting down the minutes.”