HELP FOR NOEL
WORK IS SET TO FINALLY START ON A MUCH NEEDED EXTENSION TO THE FAMILY HOME OF NOEL KENNEDY AND HIS WIFE VALERIE IN SKREEN, A MAJOR BOOST TO THE FAMILY WHICH HAS ENDURED ITS FAIR SHARE OF UPS AND DOWNS OWING TO ILL HEALTH
IN 2010 Noel Kennedy fell ill, an illness which he is still fighting and one which cost him his photography career.
“I endured five years of painful swelling to different parts of my body leaving me with ulcers from my knees to my toes. This resulted in a diagnosis of acute febrile neutropenia.
“After many aggressive treatments, my bone marrow was compromised leaving me in a pre-leukaemia state.
“I have no immune system and I am blood transfusion dependent. After many conversations with Professor Joe Galvin and Surgeon Mark Redmond in the Mater Private my only option was to leave my family on 23rd December 2018 and go to Dublin for replacement Valve Surgery due to endocarditis.
“I was given a one-in-80 chance of survival. But like any man with a young family it was a chance I had to take. Thank God after many complications due to infection I had my surgery and came through it. My life will never be normal again, I am blood transfusion and oxygen dependent with limited mobility,
“I need help showering and dressing but I’m still here. I am recovering from a heart attack which I had about eight weeks ago but I’m doing good considering everything.
“My wife, Val became a full time carer for Adam, who is autistic, after he was born, giving up her dreams of a career in sales and marketing. When we thought we had turned a corner with
Adam and were looking forward to a normal life, I became ill.
“She doesn’t sleep, her bedroom when I was very ill was a mattress on the floor, or the sofa in the sitting room. She catches up on the housework between 2am and 8am.
“She used to sleep when the kids were in school. With the covid 19 restrictions Adam’s routine has been turned on its head and she sleeps when he sleeps.
“When I was in Dublin, she traveled up on
the train three days a week, she has no social life, she makes time for Luke and Adam in this chaos,
“To anyone that knows her, there is always a smile on her face, she is my rock and she makes our lives work.
“Our son Adam was born with Achondroplasia, later diagnosed with epilepsy after two severe seizures left him fighting for his life.
“He suffers from severe ear infections has had many surgeries throughout his childhood and into his teens.
“He is non-verbal and requires 24-hour supervision and help with all aspects of everyday life.
“Adam is fifteen now and going through puberty which is proving very difficult which has lead to an increase in behavioral outbursts and self harming.
“Luke, who is looking forward to his birthday on the 28th of this month is a remarkable child. In his short life he has only known sickness at its worst often traveling to Dublin to see me with Val.
“He is a normal healthy kid with experience beyond his years. He never complains, with such limited space and chaos he shows a massive empathy to his brother and other kids with disabilities.
“He is thoroughly a remarkable child, he has missed out on so much, he never looks for anything, but deserves so much more,” says Noel.
The Kennedy Family Trust was formed some years ago by friends who could see Noel’s health deteriorating and Adam’s needs growing and that our home was becoming totally inadequate. Their goal was to make othe family home a safer place for to live.
“Val’s mum Mags moved from Cork to look after Adam when he was born, she is over 70 and with the covid 19 she is finding it very difficult, she lives among the chaos and has no space of her own,” he adds.
The Trust has raised €50,000 to date which is a huge achievement with a Come Cook event with Joe Shannon and friends, a tractor run, cake sale and much more.
The trust has the backing of Ray McSharry, and our family has had much help from Eamon Scanlon and local councilor Michael Clarke.
Jack Cunnane joined the trust some time ago and became the Project Manager which proved invaluable,
“We were handed a lifeline in the last week when Martin Wilson, a local builder, decided to take on the project.
“This is like winning the lotto for us. Jack Cunnane and Martin Wilson have a massive task ahead of them to complete this project on such a small budget.
“They plan to add on two bedrooms ensuite and a utility room. They hope to start June 22nd and they are going to need all the help they can get.
“They need help from tradespeople who can offer their help in anyway whle they also need building materials.
“l know building suppliers and tradespeople have been badly affect with Covid-19 but if anyone can donate materials like concrete, blocks, windows, slabs, tiles, sanitary ware, guttering, fascia and soffet it would be greatly appreciated to get this dream for our family over the line.
“Life has been very tough for us and we never seem to catch a break.
“l have missed out on so many important family and school events due to ill health but life is the hardest for Val and Luke. We are very grateful to the trust and all who gave their time to raise the €50,000.
“What Jack Cunnane and Martin Wilson are doing is going to change our lives, Val might be able to sleep in a bed and Luke might feel comfortable having some friends around to play, things most take for granted,” says Noel.
The committee of the Kennedy Family Trust would like to extend a big thank you to Mel Casserly architect for all his help in the initial planning stages, Darren Clancy quantity surveyor, and Brian Fitzpatrick all of whom gave their valuable time and efforts towards the build.
I HAVE MISSED OUT ON SO MANY IMPORTANT FAMILY AND SCHOOL EVENTS DUE TO ILL HEALTH BUT LIFE IS HARDEST FOR VAL AND LUKE