Réaltín - AVM Warrior

Réaltín a teacher, is a proud and feisty native of Cavan. In the early hours of the 22nd of June 2021, only days shy of her wedding, she had a serious brain bleed caused by an AVM, whilst home alone in the home she shared in Belerne River Village Belturbet, Co. Cavan, with her fiancé, her amazingly strong soul mate of over 12 years Jonathan Kane. 

Pronounced rail-teen an old Irish name picked by her parents aided by her granny Máire that had a passion for Irish names. Her family could tell you about a little girl always doing what she's told not to do in life. Well that attitude got her through this, refusing to hear the words can't and you shouldn't do. The truth being her brain haemorrhage actually happened on Christmas Eve 2011 when she was diagnosed with her inoperable AVM. She amazed medics by walking out of Beaumont Hospital 1 month later and returned to work 9 months later. Réaltín, after her 2nd bleed in 2021 spent 11 weeks in Beaumont Hospital, 4 weeks in Cavan General Hospital, 15 weeks in Monaghan Hospital and  5 months in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) and currently is back in the wonderful care of Monaghan Hospital since late June 2022. Réaltín is in round 2 in the fight of her life and is refusing to throw the towel in yet. She requires a lifetime of care and adjustments to be made to her home due to her brain injury. 

 About AVM's and brain injuries 

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Arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) are abnormal, tangles of blood vessels causing irregular connections between arteries and veins 

• AVM's are extremely rare, it is estimated that brain AVM's occur in less than one percent of the general population each year 

• 19,000 brain injuries happen in Ireland each year, 52 people every day 

• Causes of brain injuries include stroke, road traffic acidents, falls, assaults and brain tumours 

 Réaltín's Story: A Story About an AVM Warrior will be posted soon on her blog, announced on her Facebook page. This piece of work discuses common issues addressed by all brain injury survivors going through the torturous times, dealing with it alone and scared, away from family and friends during a worldwide pandemic. A story of a brave strong resilient and determined young woman that made a career move from Chartered Accountant working for Sean Quinn in Quinn Group, working with the effects on returning to work after a traumatic brain injury. Completed a teaching masters in NUI Galway despite being registered on their Disability Support Service. Worked long gruelling days in Dunnes Stores Cavan despite her AVM diagnosis and teaching in local schools, Loreto College Cavan, St. Bricin's College Belturbet, Breifne College Cavan and the Cavan Institute. Climbed a mountain proudly displaying her Cavan jersey regardless of balance and co-ordination issues caused by her AVM. Travelled to a yoga teaching course following Covid protocols in Soul Space Carrick on Shannon Co. Leitrim. Scared friends and family recounting stories of days spent in an amazing school she loved in Navan Co. Meath, Beaufort College. 

 Réaltín believes in a future of education and raising awareness of AVM's and issues effecting traumatic brain injury survivors so is sharing her story. She wants to be a much needed voice for people with brain injuries as she herself is felt often ignored, spoken to like a child and refered to as brain damaged, a phrase she absolutely hates. She remains positive, happy and with her quirky sense of humour, firmly believing that laughter is the best form of medicine. Thanks to God and the work of her surgeon, Réaltín is still as she says "Alive and kicking ass!" Réaltín, the Donohoe and the Kane family, wish to thank everyone for their donations and support over the past few months during these difficult times.

 https://www.facebook.com/realtin.donohoe