What was meant to be a routine squint surgery for our brave little Orla turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.

On 13/08/2025, Orla went in for a simple day surgery to fix her squint. During anaesthetic, she suffered complications; her oxygen levels suddenly dropped, causing her to go into cardiac arrest and require resuscitation. She was rushed to Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) for neuro protection and placed in an induced coma for four days.

While sedated, Orla underwent an MRI scan to assess the damage, but we wouldn’t know how it would affect her until she was woken up.

When she finally opened her eyes, our world changed forever. Doctors told us Orla had suffered a mild brain injury to her thalamus and subtle damage to her basal ganglia. Our bright, lively girl had to learn how to walk, talk, eat, and drink all over again.

Once awake, we spent the next six weeks on Bluebell & Sunflower Ward, which specialise in neurology and neurorehabilitation. During that time, Orla was unable to support herself, move voluntarily, eat, drink, or communicate with us verbally or physically. She suffered with pain and involuntary movements (dystonia) in her limbs, neck, and tongue; something doctors warned could be permanent, given the location of her brain injury.

At Bluebell Ward, Orla began an intense neurorehabilitation programme involving several incredible departments:

️ Occupational Therapy – created hand splints to correct positioning due to dystonia and supported her fine motor skills, cognition, and social interaction.

Physiotherapy – fitted soft casts to correct her feet and ankle positioning and worked tirelessly on her tone, balance, coordination, strength, and mobility – from sitting to walking again.

Speech & Language Therapy – helped Orla learn to eat again (from puréed food to solid meals), swallow safely, communicate non-verbally, manage oral dystonia, and eventually start making sounds and words again.

Without the specialist departments, dedicated staff, and the incredible care they provided, we truly believe we wouldn’t have the Orla we have today.

During this time, we were lucky enough to stay at Ronald McDonald House, allowing us to be by Orla’s side throughout the most critical moments of her life. The staff there were incredible; always kind, compassionate, and ready to listen. Staying here took a huge weight off our shoulders, without Ronal McDonald House, we wouldn’t have been able to stay close to Orla when she needed us most.

We also have another daughter, Aoife (7), who showed incredible resilience during this difficult time. With the support of our amazing family, Aoife was cared for while we stayed in Bristol with Orla; though it was incredibly hard for her to have her parents away and her sister so unwell.

We still don’t know what the future holds for Orla, but her strength, determination, and radiant smile inspire us every single day.

To honour her journey and give back to the people and places who helped us, two incredible groups are taking on huge challenges:

Jamie, Tim, Nick, Charlie & Nina will be running the Bath Half Marathon,

Victoria, Hollie, Kirsty, Dan, Sarah, Beth, Lauren, Charlotte, Kelly, Emmie, Buffy, Stu, Sue, Elisha & Laura will be walking 29 miles – “Walking Orla’s Journey” from the RUH to Bristol Children’s Hospital, then home to Midsomer Norton on 28/03/2026.

We’re raising money for:

Ronald McDonald House, who gave us a home when we needed it most.

Neurorehabilitation therapies at Bristol Royal Children’s Hospital, helping Orla continue her recovery.

Every mile we run and walk is for Orla; and for every family facing the unimaginable.

Please donate, share, and help us give Orla the brightest future possible.