A NORTHSIDE family has launched an appeal to fund a renovation of their home for their brave father who had both his legs amputated due to a serious illness.
Jack Lynam (53), from Priorswood, has spent almost 14 months in Beaumont Hospital after being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
As the father-of-three is due to finally return home soon, his family is appealing for financial help to make their three-bed property wheelchair accessible.
Due to Jack’s specific requirments, his family say they would need to build an extension to include a bathroom and bedroom downstairs.
Jack’s son Jonathan said what his father has gone through is
“quite extraordinary
?.
“Our family is urgently appealing to Dublin City Council to come up with funding for the necessary home adaptions needed to accommodate his disability,
? he told Northside People.
“We are fighting tooth and nail through local TDs to try and somehow push this urgent grant through. As of yet we have had no luck.
“We are hoping that our father will finally be able to come home in May. He is making steady progress and is due to undergo his much-delayed rehab in the coming weeks at the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dún Laoghaire.
?
On October 11 2014, Jack was dealt another devastating blow when his beloved mother passed away after a short illness. Although he was making great progress in his recovery, he was still far too ill to attend the funeral.
However, on December 30, through sheer determination, he wheeled himself to the church for Jonathan’s wedding.
Sadly, he wasn’t well enough to attend the wedding function and had to return to hospital as soon as the church ceremony ended.
Jack’s health problems began in December 2013 when he had an arterial bypass graft at Beaumont Hospital. After a fortnight he was discharged and spent six weeks in recovery.
On January 17, 2014, he returned to work at the Homeless Services hostel on Gardiner Street where is was the manager.
However, on January 21 he attended the Warfarin clinic as he felt unwell. While he was there he fainted and was transferred to Accident and Emergency (A&E) at Beaumont Hospital.
Jack underwent several more graft bypasses and after several tests, his haematology team discovered that he had Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
Jack spent three months in Beaumont where he was treated for his blood disorder and the pain that came with it.
In April 2014, he was transferred to the Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital of Ireland, based in Clontarf, for two weeks’ rehabilitation with a view to building him up for yet another graft.
Even though he showed signs of improvement, the circulation to his feet was very poor and was causing him immense pain.
After just four days in Clontarf, Jack was transferred back to Beaumont where he underwent several more tests which indicated he had developed another blood infection.
Overnight, Jack’s health deteriorated and his family was sent for. As they gathered to be with him, the doctors decided that Jack needed to be placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he remained for eight days.
In order to save his life, Jack had to undergo operations to amputate both of his legs. However, he battled back bravely with physiotherapy.
Unfortunately, Jack then developed an ulcer on his back which required an operation and 100 stitches. However, following this surgery on September 2, 2014, he has been showing great signs of recovery and has progressed steadily since.
Jack was a talented footballer who lined out for Offaly minors in his youth, and he played for Craobh Chiarain GAA Club in Donnycarney for six years when he came to live on the Northside almost 30 years ago.
A group of Jack’s friends from his hometown in Pullough, County Offaly, have come together to arrange a benefit night for him on March 12.
Talented local artists including Simon Casey, Ciaran Rosney, Ruaille Buaille and Best Foot Forward will be providing entertainment on the night. Tickets priced at
?¬10 are available locally, on the door on the night or direct from Joe (087-9093214) or Kevin (086-8252083.
A
‘Jack Lynam Fund’ bank account has also been set up for people to make donations directly if they wish. The account details are as follows:
Bank Name: AIB Tullamore
Bank Address: 5/6 William Street, Tullamore, County Offaly
Account Name: Jack Lynam Benefit Night
Account No: 29814030
Sort Code: 93-22-56
BIC: AIBKIE2D
IBAN: IE29AIBK93225629814030
For more details on Jack’s story, visit www.facebook.com/benefitnightjacklynam