In the early hours of 24th June 2020, Sam McArdle suffered a severe stroke and was rushed into Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and hours later suffered a traumatic brain bleed. The McArdle family were told to say their goodbyes as survival was deemed unlikely. In typical Sam fashion he defied the odds with the aid of medical team in Beaumont hospital who took extreme measures to save Sam’s life. In the past, Sam has suffered multiple heart attacks and heart surgery and has always bounced back. Unfortunately, this time it hasn’t been easy for him.
Following his brain surgery, Sam was in and out of consciousness for 2 months.
Over the past 10 months, Sam has overcome a craniectomy, COVID-19, tests, procedures, feeding tubes & scans while working tirelessly to try and regain his speech, movement, and cognitive responses. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there has been very little visitation for Sam’s family thus having a substantial psychological impact on his recovery.
Olivia, Sarah and Shane are strenuously trying to get Sam home as soon as he finishes his rehab in Dún Laoghaire National Rehabilitation Hospital to avoid residing in a nursing home at the age of 54. However, this presents a lot of challenges, such as 24-hour care, hoist, hospital bed, wheelchair and multiple calls from HSE carers. The family will require a disability van, renovations to the downstairs of his home and additional equipment to give him the best quality of life possible. Which in itself, has added its own pressures to the McArdle Family.
Anyone who knows the McArdle family knows the strong bond that Sam, Olivia, Sarah and Shane share. He has been described as the perfect friend, father and husband. Sam’s positive outlook, selfless attitude and bubbly personality is why he has friends of all ages and from all walks of life. We want to honour his effort to spread laughter, his tendency to begin a singsong in the early hours and his banter throughout the years.
There is no doubt the journey ahead is long and will come with bumps in the road but we feel we can help Sam start this journey together. We are asking for people to help us in project #BringSamHome.
Following his brain surgery, Sam was in and out of consciousness for 2 months.
Over the past 10 months, Sam has overcome a craniectomy, COVID-19, tests, procedures, feeding tubes & scans while working tirelessly to try and regain his speech, movement, and cognitive responses. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there has been very little visitation for Sam’s family thus having a substantial psychological impact on his recovery.
Olivia, Sarah and Shane are strenuously trying to get Sam home as soon as he finishes his rehab in Dún Laoghaire National Rehabilitation Hospital to avoid residing in a nursing home at the age of 54. However, this presents a lot of challenges, such as 24-hour care, hoist, hospital bed, wheelchair and multiple calls from HSE carers. The family will require a disability van, renovations to the downstairs of his home and additional equipment to give him the best quality of life possible. Which in itself, has added its own pressures to the McArdle Family.
Anyone who knows the McArdle family knows the strong bond that Sam, Olivia, Sarah and Shane share. He has been described as the perfect friend, father and husband. Sam’s positive outlook, selfless attitude and bubbly personality is why he has friends of all ages and from all walks of life. We want to honour his effort to spread laughter, his tendency to begin a singsong in the early hours and his banter throughout the years.
There is no doubt the journey ahead is long and will come with bumps in the road but we feel we can help Sam start this journey together. We are asking for people to help us in project #BringSamHome.
Organizer and beneficiary
David Norton
Organizer
County Dublin, Dublin
Sarah McArdle
Beneficiary