On Saturday, the 10th of January, Mark experienced a freak accident after returning

home to get some dinner for himself. He collapsed in the hallway of his home and

during the fall he severed the spinal cord in his neck. Just a few days later, on

Tuesday the 13th of January, he was brought to hospital in Mullingar. Then by the

15th, he had been transferred to ICU in the Mater Hospital, and in February he was

moved to the spinal injuries unit, where he still remains today.

When Mark was first admitted to hospital, he was heavily sedated and suffering from

pneumonia. The sedation was necessary to keep him still after undergoing surgery to

stabilise his neck. A tracheotomy was also performed to help protect his airway and

allow him to communicate via voice box with his sister Ruth, his brother-in-law Neil,

and his medical team.

As time has gone on, Mark has been trying to piece together what led to his accident, while also coming to terms with the life-changing reality of his injuries. He has been left paralysed from the neck down, now living as a quadriplegic. This has come as a huge shock and devastation to both Mark and his sister Ruth.

Up until this point, Mark was extremely active. He worked full-time and spent his

summers on the bog, rearing his own turf and bringing it home for the winter. He's a

man who adores his garden, loves being out in nature, and enjoyed nothing more

than going for long walks.

Mark has always had a huge love for sport. He's a passionate GAA man and never

missed a Clonkill hurling match. Having been a member of Clonkill Hurling Club

himself since he was a child, growing up in Cloghan, County Westmeath. The club

and community have always been a massive part of his life. Alongside that, he's also a

massive soccer fan and a loyal Ipswich Town football club supporter.

Sport and staying active have always been such a big part of who Mark is, which

makes it all the more heartbreaking that he can no longer enjoy the physical life he

once had.

Anyone who knows Mark knows what a kind and gentle soul he is. He's the kind of person who always thinks of others and is the first to step in and help anyone in need.

So now, without hesitation, we want to do the same for him and bring together his

family, friends, and community to help Mark prepare for his future and face the

challenges that lie ahead.

Ruth is Mark's loving sister and his only immediate family. They have always shared

an incredibly close and special bond, having grown up together with just each other.

Along with Ruth's husband Neil, the three of them have always been a strong and

supportive family unit.

Now, together, they are trying to navigate the extremely stressful and worrying

circumstances surrounding Mark's health and what the future may hold. Ruth and Neil want to make sure that Mark receives the very best care and support he will

need going forward.

At the moment, it's still unclear exactly what will be required as part of Mark's long-

term care plan. However, what we do know is that significant adaptations will need to be made to Ruth and Neil's home to support him.

This will involve building an extension to create a suitable and accessible living space

for Mark, including a bedroom large enough to accommodate a hospital bed, hoist,

electric wheelchair, and any other equipment he may need. A wet room will also be

required to meet his personal care and showering needs.

Due to Mark's paralysis, the team at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun

Laoghaire will also determine the type of specialised wheelchair he will need for his

day-to-day mobility. One that supports his independence, functionality, and overall

comfort.

As you can imagine, Mark will need to attend many hospital, GP, and physiotherapy

appointments throughout his life. This means his family will need access to a

wheelchair-accessible vehicle to ensure he can travel safely and comfortably, while

also giving them some much needed peace of mind.

As Mark and Ruth's extended family and friends, we want to show our support and stand by them during this incredibly challenging and upsetting time. We want to help in any way we can and give them some peace of mind as they face what lies ahead.

We want to give them, as a family unit, one less thing to worry about. What better

way to do that than by coming together as Mark's family and friends to raise funds

for his future that exceed any grants or funding, as we all know he would do the very same for any of us in a heartbeat.

If you are in a position to donate no matter how small, please know that your

generosity is truly appreciated. Every euro raised through this page will go directly to Mark, helping to provide for his home, his environment, and the care he will need.

Our aim is to help Mark regain as much of his life as possible and to bring back some

joy and comfort as he looks to the future. We know how loved and adored Mark is, and by coming together we can help support him in the journey ahead.

As always, Mark remains full of love and warmth. Thankfully, he has no cognitive

deficits, he is still the same beautiful person, full of smiles and personality.

As you can imagine, Mark has many months and years of rehabilitation ahead of him, and with that will come many ongoing costs for both Mark and his family.

Mark, along with Ruth and Neil, want to extend their deepest appreciation for all the

love, support, thoughts, and prayers they have received. Every message, visit, call, and card has been felt and cherished in abundance.

For full transparency, this page has been set up by an extended family member and

cousin of Mark and Ruth. Any funds donated will go directly into Mark's account to

provide for his future. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Finally, we will provide regular updates throughout this process to keep everyone

informed about Mark's health, well-being, and journey as he progresses through

rehabilitation. Your support means the world to him, and we want you to see the

difference your generosity is making. Together, as family, friends, and community, we

can help Mark face the challenges ahead with hope, comfort, and love by his side.