Colleagues surprise Dr Rory on daughter’s first birthday
MISSING HIS LITTLE GIRL’S SPECIAL DAY WAS GOING TO BE HORRIBLE FOR DOCTOR NOLAN UNTIL HIS COLLEAGUES STEPPED IN, WRITES BRENDAN KEANE
MY BIGGEST FEAR WHEN THIS ALL STARTED WAS THAT I WOULD MISS HER BIRTHDAY... MY COLLEAGUES CHANGED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIBLE DAY INTO A NICE DAY TO LOOK BACK ON
ANY parent will tell you that the birthday occasions for their children are very big family events and when it comes to first birthdays it’s an extremely significant milestone in most households.
Dr Rory Nolan, whose father is from Enniscorthy and whose grandmother, Bridie Nolan, lives in Oulart, is an A&E doctor in Macclesfield General Hospital in the UK.
Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 restrictions in place at the moment, Dr Nolan was unable to be with his daughter Francesca to celebrate her first birthday along with his wife, Catriona.
However, Dr Nolan said he was overwhelmed by the show of support of his colleagues in the hospital who arranged a surprise party for him to mark his daughter’s birthday.
While it may have taken place away from his family, Dr Nolan said it means that he will always be able to look back on Francesca’s first birthday fondly, even if he was prevented from being with her on the day.
Dr Nolan (29), hasn’t seen his wife and daughter for over two months after they decided to temporarily live apart due to his role on the frontline of the pandemic.
‘My biggest fear when this all started was that I would miss her birthday and, unfortunately, that happened,’ said Dr Nolan.
‘I didn’t think about it too much until it came close to her birthday but my colleagues changed what could have been a horrible day into a nice one to look back on,’ he added.
‘I had thought I’d bring in a cake but, when I arrived, they had put bunting up and everything and really made an effort, and I really appreciate what they did.’
While Dr Nolan didn’t get to be with Francesca and Catriona in person, he did get to Facetime them on the day and while obviously it wasn’t the same as being with them, it did bring him joy to be able to see and speak to them on such a special occasion.
Because his colleagues knew he was going to be having a Skype birthday celebration with his daughter, one colleague brought in a professionally made cake for the occasion to him to have at the same time as Francesca had hers.
Dr Nolan said his friends worked hard to make his day a special one.
‘I arrived into work to balloons, banners, personalised ‘Francesca’ bunting, cards, presents and so much love and kindness from my A&E colleagues, and from other people around the hospital, it really was brilliant what they did.’
Dr Nolan ordered 25 Domino’s pizzas to be delivered to the hospital to acknowledge what his friends did but when the pizza franchise heard about his situation, they delivered them for free.
Dr Nolan said he was overwhelmed by the support he received on what was an understandably difficult day.
‘It was huge to be honest and I suppose my friends in the hospital are like a family too so while I didn’t get to spend Francesca’s birthday with her and Catriona at least I got to celebrate it with my other family and that did really mean a lot,’ he said.
In addition to her birthday, Dr Nolan also missed out on Francesca learning to stand and, in many ways, his story highlights the enormous sacrifices that all frontline workers are making to ensure the safety of everyone else in the community.
With regard to his Enniscorthy and County Wexford connections, Dr Nolan is very familiar with the Model County.
‘My dad is from Enniscorthy and my granny is still living in Oulart,’ he said.
Dr Nolan’s aunts, Maria Nolan and Caroline Farrell, live in Enniscorthy and Marshalstown, respectively, and he said he spent all his childhood over here during school holidays.
‘Being away from Francesca and Catriona on her first birthday is something I won’t be able to get back, but I will always look back on the day with fond memories thanks to my friends here in the hospital,’ he said.
Dr Nolan shared his experience on Twitter and it soon went viral with people from all around the world wishing his daughter a happy first birthday.
With regard to the Covid-19 pandemic he said the team at his hospital is prepared for ‘whatever comes in through the door’.
He highlighted that, in addition to coronavirus issues, the medical team is also dealing with other emergency and medical situations at the hospital.
He said that while coronarvirus restrictions are easing in Britain and Ireland, people still need to adhere to health guidelines for the sake of everyone in the community.
While Francesca may have been away from her dad on her first birthday, in years to come it will no doubt become a very significant talking point in the Nolan household.