Féile O’Sullivan, from Ireland, suffered the loss of her legs just before she turned 13 but has since shown ‘great strength and bravery’ despite a long road to recovery ahead
A young girl had to have both legs amputated after a horrific farming accident.
Féile O’Sullivan was injured in the Beara area of West Cork in Ireland more than one month ago, just before she was meant to be celebrating her 13th birthday. A fundraiser has since been launched after her life altered in “ways no child should ever have to face”.
The brave girl’s medical team decided it was best for her to go to Dublin for further specialist treatment – but her transfer was delayed for a number of weeks as her condition was uncertain. It comes after a doctor was decapitated by lift in a hospital accident as colleague watched in horror.
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Now Féile is in Dublin, showing “great strength and bravery”, where she faces a long rehabilitation process, reports the Irish Mirror. With a challenging journey to recovery ahead, an outpouring of support has been shown to help with the enormous financial burden her family face from hospital stays, specialist care, physiotherapy
Speaking to CorkBeo, local Councillor Finbarr Harrington told how the people close to Féile believe it was the young girl’s strength that kept her alive.
“Féile is an incredibly strong girl, in every way. She might not have made it without that strength, and she has faced everything and is still fighting, she is just incredible,” said Cllr Harrington.
“She has already undergone around 15 surgeries. It’s incredibly difficult for Feile and for her mother Maureen and everybody in the community here wants to support them and let them know they will be there for them now and in the years to come.”
The Independent Councillor is one part of a committee that has been launched to help raise vital funds for the 13-year-old and her family.
“If you look at who is involved, it is just about every group and every organisation from Beara, Féile played football with Garnish GAA and Beara Ladies, her mother played for her club and for Cork, there’s the GAA, there’s the local soccer club, Beara United, nationally, we will have Macra na Feirme and the Men’s Shed movement getting involved.
“This is just the start of it. Féile is going to need her house altered for when she comes home, the family will need an adapted car, she will need support for the rest of her life and everybody here, the whole community, wants the family to know they will get that.”
“Her whole life changed in a split second. But she will have the support of the people here for the rest of her life. That is what we are all working for together, now.”
Cllr Harrington has called on anybody in Ireland or overseas to help, either through donating or providing practical support like builders who may be able to share materials.
“Maybe there’s a builder or a builders’ supplier who can help us with expertise or materials. We’d like to hear from anybody who can help, whether it is by hosting a coffee morning or donating windows and doors.”
The organising committee have set up a GoFundMe which has already raised €140,000 (£121,965) at the time of writing. A post on the GoFundMe reads: “Her entire family is heartbroken. So is her amazing community, determined to stay strong and support Féile.
“The emotional and financial toll is enormous. That’s why we’re reaching out — to ask you to support our incredible girl through her hardest times.
“Every donation — big or small — will go directly towards Féile’s care — medical treatment, specialist equipment, home adaptations, all support she’ll need now and in the years to come. Even a supportive message or sharing this page can mean the world.”
Click here to donate to Féile’s fundraiser.