A determined Donegal girl who has defied the odds to take her first steps has been invited to share her remarkable progress at a specialist therapy camp in Canada.
Five-year-old TJ McDaid from Drumkeen, who was born with severe spina bifida, will travel to the six-week camp in July after making huge strides through specialist therapy in Hungary.
Her proud mum Claire said the opportunity is a huge moment for TJ, who has amazed doctors with her posture and movement.
For the last three years, TJ has travelled to the Pető Faculty in Budapest for intensive physical therapy as part of her “wish to walk”.
Claire said she was once told that TJ would never walk, but after years of fundraising, long journeys, daily exercises and setbacks, her little girl is now showing everyone just how far she has come.
“We met with the surgeons in Crumlin and they said to keep doing what we’re doing, because the bone in her back is actually going into place and there’s no sign of scoliosis,” said Claire.
“He said he’s never seen a spina bifida child like this in his 30 years.
“I was so happy. After two-and-a-half years of travelling to Budapest, it’s really starting to show now. This is prolonging her life, big time.”
TJ McDaid, practises walking on her poles at home
Claire said TJ’s progress can be seen every day at home.
“She stands up so straight. She’s taking her steps on her pole.”
This July, TJ will visit a camp by the SWONT Conductive Education Trust Fund in Windsor to continue her conductive education – a specialist programme which helps children with movement difficulties build strength, control, confidence and independence through daily exercises.
TJ’s conductor Anna, who has been working with her in Budapest, will also travel to Canada to join her at the camp.
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“They want to show everybody what TJ has miraculously done,” said Claire.
WATCH: Video below shows TJ’s two and a half years of therapy in Budapest
At home in Drumkeen, the work never stops. Claire does exercises with TJ for an hour every day, building on everything she has learned through therapy.
“She’s up and down on the sofa. She’s always crawling about. She pulls herself up the seat and everything now,” Claire said.
Claire says that TJ is also getting on great at school, Scoil Phádraig.
The McDaid family have raised €72,000 over the past number of years to help fund TJ’s therapy and travel costs.
Claire said they have made the money stretch as far as possible.
The Canada trip will cost around €8,000 to €10,000 once flights, accommodation and therapy are included. Claire has already budgeted for the trip, but she will have to go back to fundraising for TJ’s next visit to Budapest later this year.
“Even if we got up to €80,000, it would do for another year,” said Claire.
TJ, pictured with her mum Claire on the left, is an Honorary Donegal Garda through the Little Blue Heroes programme and appeared on The Late Late Show last December
Claire said she knows people have given so much already, but she wants them to see that their kindness has changed TJ’s life.
“There are a lot of charities where you never actually see where your money is going, but I show all of TJ’s progress on Facebook and people love to see how she is getting on,” she said.
“I love to tell people, all the trips to Budapest have paid off.”
Anyone wishing to support TJ’s journey can visit her Facebook page: TJ wish 2 walk or donate to her main GoFundMe fundraising page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/life-changing-treatment-for-t-j/