Help Andrew to get back on his feet :)

Hey all :)

My name is Edel, I am setting this page up for my brother Andrew - age 39 (he potentially will disown us when he knows we have done this page - he is such a private person, he wouldn’t tell his right hand what his left hand is doing)

So here it goes.. the story.. his story that changed his life.

As some of you already know, it began on a Sunday morning, the 23rd of April, a day I don’t think Andrew will ever forget.

Approx 09.45 am, Andrew experienced a numb feeling in his left leg, with tea in his hand, he collapsed. We kicked into action and got Andrew to Tullamore Hospital - by the time we got there - he had lost power in his entire left side to his body, left leg left arm.

He was swiftly moved to Mullingar Hospital - with a suspected stroke. He was transferred via ambulance. Whilst the ambulance left, Andrew experienced what I can only describe as a fluctuation of emotions, primarily fear. We followed in hot pursuit.

Shortly after arriving in Mullingar Hospital, coinciding with a suite of tests completed - it was confirmed there were bleeds on his brain and they were awaiting confirmation from Beaumont Hospital on their next steps

Andrew was calm but afraid- with his main focus as always, being his little pride and joy - Alex, his son :)

He was moved to Beaumont in the same day - resulting in two surgeries on his brain, abnormal blood vessels, two stints in ICU inclusive of incubation and an induced coma and a blood transfusion He lost all movement in his limbs (arms and legs). Andrew being the fighter he is - he pulled through his two stints in ICU and spent several weeks in Beaumont.

So here we are - looking at the best options for the quickest recovery to walk again.

He was assessed and accepted to the National Rehabilitation Centre - a Centre whereby he will get the highest degree of care and assistance in learning to walk again. We have no time line - when will the time come whereby, he gets this much-needed care... a waiting game

To date - we have explored a number of options, bringing Andrew home with full time support / researched private rehabilitation / intensified physiotherapy and occupational therapy / awaiting on a date from National Rehabilitation

We continue to work this - but my gosh we are rooting for him until the end, with our only aim - get Andrew walking again.

As the quote states " first steps are always the hardest, but until they are taken, the notion of progress remains only a notion and not an achievement"

Let’s get him moving.

Thanks for everyone’s kind words and support to date - his recovery will be a marathon not a sprint

We will keep you updated on his progress

Love,

Edel and Steph :) x