Get Eibhlin Walking

This is our Eibhlin (Pronounced Ev-Lin); she was a bright, happy go lucky and very funny 16-year-old girl. She had just finished her GCSE's and was enjoying time at the movies with her close friends when it happened.

 

It all started with a headache, and she asked her older brother Matthew to come pick her up and bring paracetamol, she knew something wasn’t right. It wasn't long after that Eibhlin’s condition deteriorated, and she became unresponsive...

When Matthew got to the cinema, she had collapsed. Matthew, with the help of a bystander, had to perform CPR until the ambulance arrived.

 

 

 

Eibhlin was rushed to Antrim A & E and after CT Scan and medical assessment, the consultant told us ‘Eibhlin has had a catastrophic bleed in the brain, it’s really bad news’. Shortly after this she was Blue Lighted to the Royal for immediate surgery.

 

She spent six weeks in intensive care, followed by many more weeks in the neurosurgical ward where she had several more surgeries and scans. She was subsequently transferred to the Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit at Musgrave Park where she has remained to this day, under the excellent care of the rehab team.

We are now 8 months down the line and over the last two months Eibhlin has shown signs of excellent recovery, she is speaking and, under supervision eating solid foods now once again, which we are all very pleased about. Indeed her determination to get well has inspired everyone who has had the privilege to look after her. She is still in there, wits and sense of humour intact! She just struggles with daily tasks now and so far is unable to walk, though we remain hopeful. She has a long way to go. On discharge, she will require round the clock care.

 

Eibhlin has received the best care we could hope for, from start to finish the care she has received has been second to none and the attention she is getting in the RABUI unit at Musgrave Hospital is exactly what she needs. From the very start, the family have insisted that Eibhlin will come home no matter what. And Eibhlins newfound strength and enthusiasm for her rehabilitation has brought that reality closer than we could reasonably have hoped for to begin with.

 

Following thorough assessments from the therapy team and in the interest of Eibhlin's health, safety and well-being, it has been decided that the best course of action is to build an annex to the family home in order to facilitate Eibhlin's physical needs. Planning has now begun for Eibhlin’s discharge to home.

 

Our prayer is that Eibhlin will in the future, be able to live an independent life, however the consultant has told us that it will take up to 2 years for Eibhlin to achieve her full potential, whatever that may be. At this time an annex tailored to her needs gives her the best chance of achieving this. Planning has been approved for the build but the financial implications for the family are huge.

 

Many family and friends have been immensely supportive over the last 8 months and many others have expressed a wish to help in whatever way they can. This Go Fund Me has been set up for anyone who wishes to help.


 

 

Every contribution helps and some friends of Eibhlin and her brothers and sisters have already agreed to contribute through, for example, sponsored marathons and fun runs. Any initiative is welcome. An initial funding target of 20k is subject to change since building estimates have yet to be submitted and also there is the possibility of disabled facilities grant aid.

Updates on progress will be forthcoming.

 

We are not ones to ask for help, but now that we finally know what Eibhlin will need, we are asking.

We hope to raise funds to help with the disabled access annex. And also to cater for any further professional care Eibhlin will require upon discharge from hospital.

 

We truly appreciate everything people have done for us up to this point, we are so grateful to have such wonderful people around us.

 

Anything you can manage is appreciated.

 

Thank you!

 

The Totten Family