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A family spending thousands of euro on private therapists for their two-year daughter and a doctor who is one of 68 GPs for a population of 100,000 in Clare outline their experiences of the health service as part of the Irish Examiner’s focus on services for people living with disabilities

Emily Healy (right) and Martin with their daughter in Annacotty, Limerick, on Monday. They have spent thousands of euro on private appointments and care for her as she has a rare disease. Picture: Brian Arthur

Emily Healy’s daughter Brooke is a gentle, sweet toddler, living with a rare disease that has turned the family’s days into an all-consuming search for help.

A hairdresser in Limerick, Emily even chats to clients about her daughter’s care, and they swap tips on private therapists. Despite efforts from some HSE staff, almost all of Brooke’s care in her two years of life has been private.