‘I don’t think any challenge will faze her’
A Cork teenager who lost both legs in a farming accident last year is defying all odds in her recovery and hopes to be back in school as soon as possible.
Féile O’Sullivan from Allihies, West Cork, who suffered a devastating tractor accident on 2 July last year, is already attending the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dún Laoghaire, two months ahead of schedule.
Having got to spend Christmas at home with her loved ones, Féile, 13, is now back up in Dublin between Crumlin Hospital and the NRH.
Cork County Councillor, Finbarr Harrington (Ind), who is on the fundraising committee for the Stand For Féile campaign, said she is making remarkable progress.
He said: “I don't think anybody expected her to be in Dún Laoghaire for at least two more months.
“She's doing really, really well. Her long-term goal remains the same - to get home and back to school as soon as possible. And look, thankfully, that looks very doable.”
Féile, who was extremely active in sports before her accident, has endured over 60 surgeries since last July but Cllr Harrington said her spirits remain high, thanks in part to the incredible support she has received.
He said: “I don't think any challenge will faze her to be honest.
“Like any 13 year old, look, she probably had her mind set on a number of things before the accident.
“She's always been a sports enthusiast. She played football, played rugby, mad into horse riding - everything sporty, outdoors - she loved all that prior to the accident. That's something that she may still explore.
“There are huge options there for her. She’s very optimistic, very positive," added the West Cork councillor.
Shortly after the accident, the Stand For Féile fundraising campaign was established along with a GoFundMe page which raised just under €800k before it was closed on Christmas Eve.
With a number of fundraising events planned for the coming months, Cllr Harrington said he expects the campaign to have raised close to €1.3million in total by the time it winds down in the spring.
He said: “The support that people have shown to her is unbelievable.
“We've had fundraisers happen in Australia, in America, Holland, UK.
“I think that kind of solidarity shows an awful lot of the how decent people are and how kind people have been.”
Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday night, musician Sean Keane will perform at the Berehaven Golf Club in West Cork in aid of Stand For Féile. Tickets are available at the club house or by phone.
On 7 March, the White Horse Gospel Choir will join renowned Cork songwriter Fiona Kennedy for a fundraising concert for Féile at the Éire Óg GAA hall in Ovens, county Cork. Tickets are available now from Eventbrite.ie.
On 16, 17, and 18 April, the Stand For Féile Golf Classic will be held at Kenmare Golf Club with All Ireland Final tickets up for grabs. For more information, visit gaacork.ie/stand4feile.