Sarah McGuigan and Dan McDermott set up an online fundraiser in aid of their daughter Eve, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy after suffering a serious brain injury at just nine weeks old.
This injury has meant she has been fighting against the odds to play and move like other children.
The family, from Walkinstown, is appealing to the public for help covering the costs of stem cell treatment and the intensive rehabilitation that will follow, so she might one day take her first independent steps.
The fundraiser has already raised over €22,000 of the €55,000 target which will cover the cost of the procedure in the Netherlands, as well as two months of therapy in Dublin and London.
This treatment will give Eve the chance to enhance her strength and mobility, which could change her life forever.
Getting behind the fundraiser is Dublin’s Retro Drive-In, which will be showing the classic movie Hocus Pocus on Saturday, October 26, in Leopardstown. Tickets are on sale now, with all proceeds going to Eve’s Dream to Walk fund.
Stem cell therapy offers hope by regenerating the injured parts of Eve’s brain
Dan and Sarah hope that by setting up the fundraiser, they can ensure their daughter has the best chance of taking her first steps on her own.
They described her as a “joyful, adventurous two-year-old with a smile that lights up every room”.
Eve talks about the things she’ll do when she can “step, step, step” all by herself, such as “run away to the playground”, “play football” with her big cousins, “be an Olympic jumping girl”, or “like Annie the circus acrobat”.
Eve’s journey has been far from easy. At nine weeks old, her life changed forever when she developed a life-threatening viral infection.
The infection spread rapidly and ultimately made its way into her brain tissues, causing catastrophic damage.
After weeks on life support, Eve underwent surgery to insert a tube delivering medication directly to her heart.
She endured a gruelling 28 days of round-the-clock antibiotics and antivirals. Finally, her condition began to improve, but the day Eve was discharged marked the beginning of a new challenge.
Now, two years later, as most toddlers are busy exploring the world by walking, climbing and running, Eve has yet to take her first steps.
Though she struggles to move unassisted, that hasn’t stopped her determination.
Her family is fully committed to supporting her growth and progress. With the help of her physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and her new best friend, Harry the therapy horse, she has already made remarkable progress.
Eve can now sit independently and stand with assistance, but her mobility remains limited due to her cerebral palsy.
Stem cell therapy offers hope by helping to regenerate the damaged parts of her brain.
With this treatment, combined with intensive rehabilitation, Eve has the chance to gain the strength she needs to take her first steps.
