Meet Darragh Ryan
Darragh
is a very outgoing 9 year old boy from Limerick who attends St.
Gabriel's Special Needs School, Crabtree House, Dooradoyle, Limerick.
Darragh suffers from Cerebral
Palsy and Epilepsy.
Whilst capable of holding himself up in a 'K-Walker', Darragh is effectively
wheelchair bound since birth. His parents and older sister love him
to bits. If you get a chance to meet Darragh you will be surprised how
his good nature shines through his disability.
The Latest News - Darragh Ryan has moved closer to his dream of walking after undergoing his ground-breaking surgery in the Centro Medico Tecknon in Barcelona on 24th of November 2006 at 5pm. Darragh was returned later to his room in the clinic 3 hours later.Darragh underwent a form of keyhole surgery “Microtomia “ which uses the latest techniques in microsurgery in which there are no visible scars left. There is far less recovery time as a result of this recent breakthrough.
Darragh had bilateral surgery done on the Rectus Anterius (which is just above the knees) the Hamstrings and his Achilles Tendons . He is wearing a cast on both legs from his ankle to his knees and will do so for five weeks .He was offered a choice of two colours by Dr.Lluis Terricabras who performed the surgery, the yellow away strip of Barcelona instead he picked the Red of Munster!Dr.Terricabras insisted that constant Physiotherapy is essential for the next five weeks. There are no miracles as such, it might take weeks or months before we have a full idea how it went. There has been some progress already. He can sit up comfortable with his legs in front of him and balance himself, which he could never do before. His legs are more flexible also as the tightness has been reduced in his hamstrings.
Darragh’s dream of walking has captured the imagination of many people in Ireland. There were many benefit events held to help to raise the necessary funds for this operation.
We would like to thank all of you sincerely. The Ryan Family
Contact information for Dr.Lluis Terricabras is now available on the Contacts page.
