Santa moved to tears as dozens of courageous children honoured in Cork extravaganza
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A teenage girl who stepped in and took care of her younger siblings as their sister faced an agonising battle in hospital was among those celebrated at an emotional event in Cork.
17-year-old Ciana O’Beaglaoi was among the dozens of deserving children and their families honoured by Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club Christmas Extravaganza for their immense courage and resilience.
Now in its 19th year, the event saw families transported in style from Nemo Rangers to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in a convoy of vintage cars and emergency service vehicles.
Even Santa Claus had to fight back tears after coming face to face with some remarkable children. While these kids featured prominently on his nice list, so too did their siblings.
Ciana summed up the courage demonstrated by countless family members who had come out in support of their heroes.
She has been caring for her siblings Maidhc, 10, and Líle-Céití, 7, as their 15-year-old sister Aoileann endured a long stay in Cork University Hospital. Aoileann, who has Down syndrome and is tube-fed and non-verbal, has extremely complex needs which require both parents to help with her care.
Aoileann has experienced a litany of health issues since birth, her most recent hurdle being crippling pain linked to an aggressive form of arthritis.
For the last four weeks, Ciana said she had adopted the role of “mammy” to allow her parents (Cáit and Padraig) time by Aoileann’s side in Cork University Hospital.
Preparing her siblings for school in the morning and making them dinner each evening has become an everyday reality for the selfless youngster, who lives in Ring, Waterford with her family.
“A lot of people would be shocked by this but I have to turn on mammy mode when Aoileann goes into hospital,” Ciana told the .
“When mum and dad go to Cork to hospital they will usually go down for the day and come back to us. Recently, they got permission to stay in Brú Culumbanus where people can stay to be near family members in hospital. I try my best to keep the house afloat while they’re all away by doing the washing, laundry, feeding, everything that needs to be done really. I get the bus to school while the neighbours drop the kids.”
The teenager was glad to get a break from her usual routine to enjoy valuable family time.
“I love doing the hair but I hate doing lunches. I normally pack sandwiches, crackers and fruit.
Padraig said his daughter has been dedicated to Aoileann from day one.
“We really do appreciate everything she does. She can feed and medicate Aoileann and she does so much to help out.”
On helping with Aoileann's medication, Ciana said: “I’ve been doing it since I was 10 years old so it’s probably second nature to me now. You have no choice but to adapt.”
She described their love for Aoileann adding:
“Aoileann is sometimes loud, sometimes playful and very mischievous. She can be quite the moody teenager which is allowed. We all love her very much.”
Logan, 4, and Nathan, 6, from Ballinhassig in Cork are just as proud of their baby brother Ryan, who was nominated for the event by Cork University Hospital staff.
Their mum Vicky Jennings and dad John Daly are looking forward to spending their first Christmas with Ryan at home since his birth.
“Ryan is turning one on December 18," Vicky said. "He spent three months in the NICU after getting a brain hemorrhage prior and after birth and seizures that couldn’t be controlled. We heard a lot of frightening things in hospital. It was a really emotional time that was very difficult for the boys.”
John tearfully described how, only last year, Ryan’s life had been hanging in the balance.
“When Ryan was in intensive care they had to put him on a ventilator because the medication he was on suppressed his organs and system. Then they said it was time to take him off the ventilator. At that point, we didn’t know if he was going to make it or not. The doctors told us to bring the lads in for memories and pictures. We took his handprints and footprints and he was baptised.”
Vicky recalled how they had said their goodbyes to their son, not knowing if he would survive.
“The boys sang 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' to Ryan. They couldn’t understand why they weren’t able to see him before that or take him home. They are all surprised he’s doing well.”
The family continues to face an uphill battle.
“Ryan is not expected to walk or talk in the future but he is doing as well as he can.”
The family’s love for Ryan motivates them to stay strong every day.
“He has the most protective brothers," Vicky said. "Nathan reads him stories every night and hugs him before he goes to sleep.”
Meanwhile, Mark Purcell paid tribute to his two-year-old daughter Mia’s fighting spirit. Her sister Frida, 5, was also invited to attend the event by the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club.
“Mia was born at 25 weeks,” he explained. Her first 10 months were spent in the neonatal. She had her ups and downs and she had to be resuscitated a good few times. The staff at CUH, particularly the nurses, kept us strong during that time.”
John Looney founded the Cork City Hospitals Children’s Club after being inspired by his own children, Pamela, Noelle, Clodagh, and Karen, who are now grown up.
His daughter, Pamela, was born with two tumours on her spine and as a little girl embarked on a trip with another organisation.
John was determined to set up a charity of his own to make memories for even more Cork kids.
His children are now volunteers with the charity and accompany him on trips and at events.