Award-winning children’s book illustrator Kim Sharkey is preparing to leave hospital this week after friends raised thousands of euro to support her recovery from spinal surgery.
The Dungloe-based creative had previously undergone spinal surgery in September 2024.
More recently, she has spent the past four months in hospital and rehabilitation after a jolt caused by driving into standing water on a flooded road led to further surgery on her spine.
According to a GoFundMe appeal established by her friends, Kim was left with no feeling in the lower half of her body for six days following the surgery.
Kim has been in hospital and rehab since and has worked her way back to walking slowly with support, although the operation has resulted in further nerve damage.
“This is a long-term recovery, and doctors say it will be about 18 months before Kim knows how lasting the nerve damage will be,” her friends said.
Kim is due to leave hospital soon and continue her recovery in Donegal. However, she has had to move from her former home after it was deemed unsuitable for her current needs.
Support received through an online fundraiser will allow her to cover the rent on temporary accessible accommodation, pay for transport to appointments in Dublin and purchase essential items while she continues her rehabilitation.
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Although she has applied for State supports, the appeal explains that the process takes time. Kim has had no income during her time in hospital and remains uncertain about when she will be able to return to work.
Her friends said her inability to work full-time for almost two years has understandably depleted her savings.
“Kim was reluctant to allow us to create this GoFundMe but as her friends, we recognise the urgency of the situation,” the appeal states.
“We also recognise that times are difficult for everyone. We would only say that any donation at all will be most gratefully received for the expenses Kim faces.”
Her friends described Kim as a “talented and generous artist” who is now in the early stages of a lengthy recovery.
“We hope the people who have been touched by Kim’s work across Ireland and farther will be able to help support her in getting through this difficult rehabilitation,” they said.
Living by the sea in West Donegal, Kim draws much of her creative inspiration from her love of words and storytelling. Her artwork has been widely exhibited and featured in publications.
Her illustrations for the debut picture book Mór agus Muilc earned her the Éilís Dillon Award for a first children’s book at the 2020 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards.
Her other projects include Santa’s Cat with writer Eoin McLaughlin, artwork for poetry collections by Máire Dinny Wren, Dairena Ní Chinnéide and Róise Ní Bhaoill, and illustrations for Mamaí Gé, a bilingual collection of Mother Goose rhymes transcreated by Gabriel Rosenstock.
Further information on Kim’s recovery campaign and donations can be made through the GoFundMe appeal: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kim-sharkey-back-on-her-feet
The fundraiser has so far received 73 donations, raising €4,411 towards its €9,000 target.