BALLYSAGGART
CAKE SALE FOR ALISON O’GRADY
As part of the fundraising for Alison O’Grady there will be a Cake Sale on Sunday, May 5th, the bank holiday weekend in Meagher’s Bar after 9.30 Mass in Ballysaggart.
Many of you already know Alison’s story, but for those who don’t, her mam Michelle is Dianne’s niece, so this is very close to our hearts in Ballysaggart.
If anyone wishes to contribute some baking you can drop it to Meaghers on the Sunday morning between 8.30 and 9.30.
On Sunday night, May 5th there will be an auction night with a raffle and great music as part of the fundraising effort. Donations can also be made on Go Fund Me, search Michelle O’Grady for details.
MESSAGE FROM ALISON’S FAMILY
‘We turn to our family, friends and communities to help us get Alison to NAPA London in September 2024.
An amazing opportunity has seen Alison secure a position to attend a 3 week intensive programme in NAPA London where she will partake in multiple daily sessions of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language therapies along with access to new equipment and methods.
Such an incredible opportunity comes with a high price tag, which is why we come to you, to ask for support in helping us advance our beautiful Alison.
Let me tell you a little about Alison’s background;
After a normal pregnancy, Alison was born on the 14th December 2019, the joy and relief that our baby girl had arrived safely was short lived. Alison stopped breathing at 3 hours old, was transferred to NICU and put on a ventilator. An EEG showed Alison was seizing, which took days to control. The walls truly came crashing down when at 2 days old, Alison had an MRI showing an extensive global injury to Alison’s brain. We were told to prepare for the worst.
However, little did the medical team know that Alison was a fighter. Alison came home at 10 days old on the 24th December just in time for Santa’s arrival.
Alison’s diagnosis is Neonatal Encephalopathy, global development delay and Epilepsy. Alison’s seizures have seen her air lifted to hospital, become well acquainted with the A&E teams in Cork as well as transferred to Temple Street’s Paediatric ICU department in August 2021.
Alison’s diagnosis unfortunately means Alison is not yet walking, is a wheel chair user, has minimal speech and delayed learning along with the unkind reality that Ali will require lifelong care.
Early intervention is vital for Alison’s progress yet HSE staffing shortages does mean that Alison’s therapy requirements are not fully met. Funding these therapies privately, completing week long intensive programmes here in Ireland and acquiring the equipment Alison requires is costly.
Nevertheless, Alison’s life isn’t all medical and to know Alison is a joy. Alison is full of love, fun and mischief.
Alison is in her second year of Playschool attending Butterflies Community Playschool in Ballyduff Upper and Sesame Specialist Day Service in Dungarvan.
Alison adores music and will make everyone she meets sing a song with her, being outside, messing with water and dance parties are the ultimate!
To have Alison’s love is something unique and her hugs are therapeutic. Alison smiles with her whole face and while we as a family have had tough days and weeks, one of those smiles from Ali really does make everything okay again.
All funds raised will go towards getting Alison to NAPA in September 2024, private therapy and potential house alterations to make our home fully accessible for Alison.’