Jailhouse crock
Elvis superfan Barry overcomes paralysis to wow judges on IGT
Tom & Jess on a walk the long-term effects had a huge impact on my mobility.”
Barry felt a twinge in his back as he was going to bed one Sunday night in September 2013 so he took painkillers.
A short time later he tried to get up and fell on the floor. When he tried to stand a second time and failed his wife Fiona called an ambulance.
He added: “I did very physical work and over the years one of the discs in my back had perforated and was lying on my sciatic nerve. I had surgery but the damage was so excessive I was paralysed. After five weeks of physio things weren’t happening the way I’d hoped.”
Despite being wheelchair-bound, Barry decided to hold a fundraiser for the hydro pool at Cork University Hospital by performing Elvis songs.
A senior doctor from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin was there at the time and vowed to do all he could to get Barry a place in the Dun Laoghaire facility.
He explained: “At the NRH they said Jess cuddles her newborn HERE’S one delivery Call The Midwife star Jessica Raine is never going to forget in a hurry – her own. Yesterday Jess, 36, was once again pushing but this time it was her newborn tot in a buggy. The star, Jenny Lee in the hit show, looked relaxed strolling in the sunshine with actor husband Tom Goodman-hill, 50, near their London home. It was the first time Jess, Mr Selfridge star Tom and the baby have been spotted out. Last month the pregnant star was pictured in the Sunday Mirror going for a wander. At least after three series in drama Jess has had plenty of practise handling babies. But there will be no handing this one back. Star on hit show there was a 50/50 chance I’d walk again, they couldn’t give me any guarantees.
“I learned wheelchair skills to prepare me but I was determined to walk again. I put my head down and worked hard. It was difficult for my wife – it was only later she admitted she used to come up to visit and drive home to Cork crying.”
Barry credits his progress to the staff at both hospitals and the unwavering support he got from wife Fiona and his boys Luke, 16, and 11-year-old Ryan.
He added: “There were a lot of people involved in my recovery. This song is a thank you to all of them.”
news@irishmirror.ie Barry Darcy on Ireland’s Got Talent last night