Daithi’s ‘Wish to Walk’

Daithi is pictured holding the Anglo Celt Cup with Monaghan Manager, Malachy O’Rourke, Captain, Conor McManus and other members of the 2015 Ulster Championship Winning panel.

To whom it may concern,

Daithi Sherry is a happy, fun loving and caring 4 year old boy from Lossett, Stranooden, Monaghan who was born in Cavan General Hospital on 1st of May 2011. Daithi was 5 weeks premature and shortly after birth he was admitted to the Special Care baby unit where he spent the first 2 weeks of his life.Daithi is the youngest boy of 4 children, he has 2 older brothers and has one sister. Daithi lives with his parents Caroline & Paul who are both from Monaghan.

Unfortunately Daithi was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy “Spastic Diplegia” at 2 years old. This affects Daithi’s ability to stand and is preventing him to walk on his own.

Daithi has recently been accepted for surgery which will greatly enhance Daithi’s chances of walking and standing independently and will greatly improve his quality of life. This surgery is called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) which involves cutting some of the sensory nerve fibers at the base of the spinal cord to provide permanent reduction of the spasticity that is affecting Daithi’s legs and ability to walk independently.

Daithi is currently attending Enable Ireland Services here in Monaghan where he gets Physiotherapy, Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy to help him improve with his mobility. He has routine programmes daily which are carried out at home with his mum and dad.

Daithi has to use a lot of equipment at home daily. He uses a stander which is used to help keep Daithi in an upright position for as long as he can tolerate it and his feet in a flat position to get a long stretch in his legs. He wears hard casting splints in his shoes everyday to keep his feet flat and to keep his feet in as normal a walking position as possible. His wheelchair has recently been ordered and he will need to use this for long distance mobility.

Daithi has had 3 sets of botox injections with the CRC in Dublin. This helps lower the spasticity in his legs which helps when carrying out home exercises and stretching. He is also on long term muscle relaxant medication daily to try and help reduce the tone and tightness in his legs.

All we want as parents of Daithi is to get the best care possible and to enjoy the freedom of being able to walk, stand, run, jump, and play like any child.

Many thanks for taking the time to read Daithi’s story. We appreciate any donation, no matter how big or small, and for all your help and support in helping Daithi get closer to making his wish come true to live a normal and independent life.

Kind Regards

Caroline, Paul & Daithi Sherry