Cycle for Erin
Donation protected
Erin McGarry is 12 years old. She has Sturge Weber Syndrome and is unable to walk or talk. We are trying to raise funds to purchase an eye operated communication system.
Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a rare congenital neurological and skin disorder. It is often associated with port-wine stains of the face, glaucoma, seizures, mental retardation, cerebral malformations and tumors. It is characterized by abnormal blood vessels on the brain surface. Normally, only one side of the brain is affected, in Erin’s case both sides of her brain surface are affected.
Erin has had laser treatment on her face and body to reduce the red appearance of the port-wine stain. Erin has a special moulded wheelchair to help support her body as she also has muscle weakness in her torso known as quadriplegia. Erin has a button in her tummy and is fed through that each day. At night Erin takes special medication to prevent seizures which accompany this condition.
Erin attends the CRC school in Clontarf and will continue to do so until she is 18 years old. Despite all
of the challenges that Erin has faced, she is a happy little girl, always laughing and smiling. Her favorite movie is Mamma Mia and she loves music. Thankfully Erin’s eyesight is perfect and she is an excellent candidate for an Eyegaze as she has trialed the system already.
The ‘Cycle for Erin’ event will help to raise funds for an Eyegaze eye-operated communication and control system empowers people with disabilities to communicate and interact with the world. By looking at control keys or cells displayed on a screen, a user can
generate speech either by typing a message or selecting pre-programmed phrases. Eyegaze systems can be used to communicate, attend school, write and enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities.
The device and setup costs €20,000 and we are hoping to raise funds to contribute towards the total cost www.eyegaze.com If we are successful Erin will be able to talk to her mammy, daddy and siblings for the first time in her life.
Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a rare congenital neurological and skin disorder. It is often associated with port-wine stains of the face, glaucoma, seizures, mental retardation, cerebral malformations and tumors. It is characterized by abnormal blood vessels on the brain surface. Normally, only one side of the brain is affected, in Erin’s case both sides of her brain surface are affected.
Erin has had laser treatment on her face and body to reduce the red appearance of the port-wine stain. Erin has a special moulded wheelchair to help support her body as she also has muscle weakness in her torso known as quadriplegia. Erin has a button in her tummy and is fed through that each day. At night Erin takes special medication to prevent seizures which accompany this condition.
Erin attends the CRC school in Clontarf and will continue to do so until she is 18 years old. Despite all
of the challenges that Erin has faced, she is a happy little girl, always laughing and smiling. Her favorite movie is Mamma Mia and she loves music. Thankfully Erin’s eyesight is perfect and she is an excellent candidate for an Eyegaze as she has trialed the system already.
The ‘Cycle for Erin’ event will help to raise funds for an Eyegaze eye-operated communication and control system empowers people with disabilities to communicate and interact with the world. By looking at control keys or cells displayed on a screen, a user can
generate speech either by typing a message or selecting pre-programmed phrases. Eyegaze systems can be used to communicate, attend school, write and enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities.
The device and setup costs €20,000 and we are hoping to raise funds to contribute towards the total cost www.eyegaze.com If we are successful Erin will be able to talk to her mammy, daddy and siblings for the first time in her life.
Organizer
Julie McGarry
Organizer
County Dublin
