THE family of a Kerry man injured in a motorcycle accident have issued a plea for him to be brought back to Ireland for treatment.
27-year-old Anthony O’Carroll from Ballyduff in Co Kerry was seriously injured in the accident on the Isle of Man but is now struggling to access appropriate rehabilitation in the UK.
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The young Kerry man was taken to Nobles hospital and then airlifted to Walton Centre for Neuroscience located in Aintree University Hospital Liverpool due to the serious injuries sustained.
He was a patient in the ICU of the hospital where he was initially placed in an induced coma.
The motor-mechanic suffered a large number of serious injuries including brain trauma, a fracture at the base of his skull, broken jaw, a number of smashed bones, fractured ribs, pelvis and hip as well as cartildge damage.
The popular lad also has a number of fractured spinal bones as well as bruised lungs.
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A GoFundMe was set up for Anthony last month in an attempt to raise money for the rehabilitation he will require following the devastating injuries, as well as helping cover the cost of his parents travelling from Kerry to Liverpool to be with their only child.
The fundraiser organiser Aoife Flavin wrote at the time: “Anthony did have insurance and this will cover a certain amount of his medical needs for now.
“Anthony was initially maintained in an induced coma and intubated. As well as many broken bones which will require many surgical procedures in the future.
“More seriously Anthony suffered a significant head trauma, At the moment Anthony is unconscious and will require a lot of rehabilitation care in the future.”
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She added: “Anthony is an only child to his parents Mary and Neilus, who flew from Ireland to maintain a bedside vigil, and will remain there for the foreseeable future.
“Anthony’s father Neilus also fell seriously unwell last year and is still recovering from his illness. His wife Mary is his sole carer.”
Aoife continued: “Now Anthony and his family need everyone’s help now more than ever, please help support him and his parent through this difficult time.
“Money received will help alleviate the financial costs of Neilus and Mary’s stay in Liverpool, and to finance Anthony’s future rehab.”
The fundraiser for the “strong, bright, kind and caring young man” has raised €54,175 so far.
In a new update the family have issued a plea to get Anthony home to Ireland to continue his treatment.
The 27-year-old is awake and has underwent surgery on his shin and tibia and is no longer breathing with a ventilator and is instead breathing through a tracheostomy.
Despite the positive updates Anthony still as a long road to recovery that has been “very difficult process both physically and mentally.”
“Praying and hoping”
In the update issued on Monday, the fundraiser organiser Aoife said the family are now facing serious issues continuing Anthony’s treatment.
They have now issued an appeal for help with the situation.
Aoife said: “Anthony’s parents Mary and Neilus are now facing a new challenge with Anthony’s repatriation back to Ireland, because of Anthony’s specific medical needs most importantly with his brain trauma he needs access to a suitable rehabilitation program.
“As there are only two Major Trauma Centre hospitals in Ireland, Anthony’s parents are praying and hoping he will be admitted to one of these Trauma centres.
“As Anthony is considered a HSE patient and not an NHS patient he can’t access a suitable rehabilitation program where he is a patient at the moment.
“Mary and Neilus are like every other parents in the same situation looking for help from anyone who can ease their’s and Anthony’s road to recovery.
“As Anthony is fighting his way back to them they’re his voice to get all his medical and rehabilitation needs met. This shows strength and love on their part.”
Further fundraising
Further fundraisers are being held to help out the family as Anthony continues his road to recovery.
They are holding an weekend fundraising event next month to help the family with the ongoing costs.
On the fundraiser page Aoife said: “There is no definitive figure how much Anthony’s rehabilitation will cost – so we need to keep going.
“There is a fundraising weekend been held on the 13th, 14th and 15th of September in Anthony’s home village of Ballyduff Tralee Co. Kerry.
“There will be updates on the fundraiser weekend on our Facebook event page, Instagram and also here on Anthony’s GoFundMe page.”
You can access the fundraising page here.