A 13-year-old girl who was hospitalised after she lost both of her legs in a farming accident over the summer arrived home yesterday to spend Christmas in west Cork.
Féile O'Sullivan has had over 60 operations since being involved in a tractor accident on 2 July last in her native Allihies.
She was airlifted to Cork University Hospital (CUH) in the aftermath of the accident. A week later, Féile was transferred to Crumlin Children's Hospital in Dublin where she has remained since.
Earlier this year, her mother Maureen said that getting her daughter home for Christmas was the priority.
She stated that at one point it felt like "Christmas was never coming."
Cllr Finbarr Harrington, who has worked on the fundraising campaign for the teenager, told C103FM that Féile made a very special journey from Dublin yesterday.
"It is brilliant. It has been a rollercoaster. We can only imagine what Maureen and Féile have been through. Thankfully, Féile made the 400km long journey yesterday from Crumlin Hospital yesterday by Bumbleance," he said.
"A load of people turned up to welcome her home and to wish her well along the way with many having bonfires lighting on the road.
"It really illustrates how happy and grateful people are that Féile is home."
The Independent councillor, who is a spokesperson for the family, said that Féile is so grateful for all that has been done for her since her accident.
"When we think back to that day, we must thank and acknowledge the local first responders, the local fire brigade, the local gardaí, and the air ambulance crew that attended that day and the staff at CUH and Crumlin for taking such good care of Féile.
"They are truly amazing people and because of their actions, Féile made it home yesterday."
'Hellbent' on getting home
The plan was to bring Féile home by air ambulance. However, heavy fog meant that she had to make the journey by road.
Cllr Harrington said that Maureen and Féile were "hellbent" on getting home. He said that heavy fog was not going to get in the way of their family Christmas in Allihies.
"They had arranged to meet some of the first responders that attended that day and then they went on to Maureen’s parents, Martin and Mary, who didn’t know about the journey home," he said.
"It was a big surprise for them. It is going to be a great Christmas for them. It has been an unbelieveably difficult year for them all."
He said that it was hard to keep the secret of their arrival from Féile’s grandparents.
"We some how managed to keep it from her grandparents, which was a beautiful surprise for them. They are over the moon," he said.
"Féile is hoping to be home for at least six days over Christmas. She will head back to Crumlin for a period and then on to Dún Laoghaire for rehab after that.
"Her ambition was always to get home as soon as she could and try to be back with her classmates before the end of the school year. That is still doable. Yesterday marks a major milestone."
'Unbelievably positive'
Cllr Harrington said that Féile is very much looking at what she can do, as opposed to what she cannot do going in to the future.
"She is a 13-year-old kid and the way she reacts and deals with things is unbelievably positive. The staff can’t get over the mindset and positivity she has."
A fundraising page for Féile officially closes today.
Cllr Harrington said that he and members of the steering group want to thank everybody who made the fundraising drive a huge success.
"The GoFundMe page is currently at €778,000. But when you add on all the monies that will come in from the recent fundraisers, and some that are being done in the spring, then this been fundraiser will exceed over a million euro."
Féile will require additional surgery and intensive rehabiliation, specialist care, physiotherapy, emotional support and home adaptations.
Cllr Harringtons said that Féile is really looking forward to catching up with her friends in the coming days.
"There is no place like home. Yesterday she said she was looking forward to having spuds, lovingly prepared by her granddad, for dinner.
"Christmas is a special time. It is a really nice time for families. We hope that Maureen and Féile will enjoy it," he added.
