Help us along the way

Emma’s Fight For Sight

Hi we didn't really think we had to go down this road but unfortunately we do.

In December 2022, our daughter Emma was in 6th class in Tournafulla National School, Co. Limerick, was looking forward to Christmas holidays and presents. Just days after her 13th birthday, we attended a routine appointment in Specsavers, unaware of what was to unfold...

When we arrived the optician began his tests but immediately became concerned when examining the back of Emma’s eyes.

Calling Emma’s mom outside the room, he broke the news that he could see a growth and a lot of inflammation behind her eyes and that immediate hospital intervention was required. Later that evening Emma was admitted to University Hospital Limerick and following scans and tests, we were heartbroken to be informed that Emma had a brain tumor, but ever so thankful that this tumor was not cancerous.

In the following days, Emma was transferred by ambulance to Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Though not cancerous, Emma’s brain tuomor has caused her a lot of problems. As a result of it, Emma was diagnosed with a rare condition called Chronic Panuveitis. Chronic Panuveitis is a rare inflammatory eye disease, of characterised by generalized inflammation of the uvea retina and vitreous, leading to acute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral visual impairment.

Emma has lost vision in her right eye and now the vision in her left eye has unfortunately decreased a lot. Emma is under the care of the NCBI and she now uses a cane to assist her when out and about as her sight loss is very significant.

Along with the Chronic Panuveitis diagnosis, a diagnosis of Idiopathic Arthritis followed. Idiopathic Arthritis is a condition where the immune system, which is supposed to fight invaders like germs and viruses, gets confused and attacks the body’s cells and tissues. This causes the body to release inflammatory chemicals that attack the tissue lining around a joint.

As we stand., Emma is a patient of Crumlin Children’s Hospital as well as the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. This means that we are up to Dublin twice some weeks or at least 3 times a month. This is a return journey of just under 500kms, taking 3 hours each way.

With all this going on I have to take time of work, and also sometimes we have to stay in Dublin overnight before appointments as they can be very early in the morning.

This has put a huge financial pressure on us as a family. We have been told Emma will need on going treatment between the two hospitals and also treatment at home.

There is a huge chance of her loosing her sight completely and also the arthritis is causing her a lot of pain. We have never asked for anything along this journey but now have been left with no choice but to reach out.

The money that we raise will be used for the expenses and on going bills that result from our hospital visits to Dublin..

Any contribution will be gratefully appreciated and we thank each and everyone of you for your support.