EXPERT therapists have told the family of a local man left with devastating brain injuries after suffering three heart attacks almost seven years ago that he has
‘great potential’ and they’ll be able to help him.
David Cahill needs 24/7 nursing care but for the first time since he suddenly collapsed while on holiday in Crete his family has real hope that his condition can be improved through innovative therapy in Germany.
The treatment will cost
?¬350,000 but David’s dedicated parents, Kay and Peter, are determined to do whatever it takes to give their son a better quality of life.
Next week on Friday, February 20, the David Cahill Rehabilitation Fund has organised a fundraising night in Na Fianna GAA club with live music from Christy Moore and Planxty tribute band, Beeswing. Kay and Peter are hoping locals will once again rally behind their family for David and support the event or make a donation to the fund to help them achieve their ambitious goal.
David, from Ballymun, was just 21 when he flew to the sun-drenched Greek island for a dream getaway in 2008 but just two days into the holiday he collapsed suddenly on the street. His family were contacted by officials from the island who told them the shattering news that David was on a life support machine and had suffered three major cardiac arrests.
David’s mum Kay, his brothers Steven and Peter and sister Maeve flew out to the island as soon as they could to be by his side, only to be told that there was no hope for him.
But the Cahills didn’t give up and with the help of friends, neighbours and the local communities in Ballymun and Finglas, managed to raise
?¬37,000 for an air ambulance to bring him home.
David was transferred to Blanchardstown Hospital, where he stayed for nine months before being transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
He was diagnosed as being in a minimally conscious state with profound brain injury. He was also blind. After three months of physiotherapy and occupational therapy, David was transferred back to Blanchardstown Hospital for another year and from December 2010 has been in full time nursing care in Balrothery, Balbriggan.
Kay and Peter have been trained to care for their son and have spent
?¬18,000 adapting their home so they can care for him at weekends.
“The last six years have been so hard, but we have watched David progress slowly in his own way,
? Kay said.
“From someone who was told he had only two days to live from the start, my son David is an amazing, inspirational person who to this day is proving everybody wrong.
?
Last December with the help of David’s physiotherapist, Barbel Pankoke, David was assessed by a team from a German private clinic called Zentrum Der Rehabilitation.
“These neurological therapists saw a great potential in David and are in a position to help him,
? Kay told Northside People.
“When we reach our fundraising target, to get David to Germany, he will undergo an average of four hours therapy a day. For six months of this therapy and David’s medical and transport needs to and from Germany we need to raise at least
?¬350,000.
Zentrum Der Rehabilitation has had several major success stories and if the family manage to raise fund he’ll undergo a range of intensive, innovative therapies.
David’s parents, who are hoping to help open a similar clinic in Ireland, are keeping their fingers crossed that their target can be reached.
“We have to give this opportunity to our David,
? said Kay.
“We, as a family, would really appreciate all donations, big or small, towards David’s rehabilitation.
?
The fundraising night with tribute band Beeswing takes place at 8pm on Friday, February 20 at Na Fianna GAA Club, Mobhi Road, Glasnevin. David’s 28th birthday will also be celebrated on the night.
Tickets can be bought form Pop In Beauty in Poppintree and The Credit Union, Ballymun. You can also call Kay on 086-0532843.
Donations can also made online to idonate.ie/721_david-cahill-rehabilitation-fund.html