Elizabeth’s time is running out for lifesaving op

By Maurice Garvey

TIME is running out for a young woman who needs HSE support and public donations to help her overcome a crippling life-changing spinal and brain injury, which is causing her spine to erode.

Elizabeth McNicholas (27), from Lucan, was first diagnosed with the condition, just before she sat the Leaving Cert in 2008 at Coláiste Cois Life.

She went to St Angela’s College in Sligo to study to be a teacher, but has only been able to complete three years of her degree, after suffering a litany of medical disorders as a result of the illness.

Elizabeth underwent six operations, four of which were spinal fusion surgeries, all of which failed.

She has also contracted a list of debilitating illnesses, including narcolepsy and adrenal insufficiency which leaves her steroid dependant for the rest of her life.

Speaking from the family’s home in Esker Park, Elizabeth’s mother Brenda, says her daughter hopes to return to college and that the condition just arrived “out of the blue.”

Brenda said: “The condition has had a dramatic effect on the whole family, and the last two years have got worse. She has had six operations and a lot of procedures in between. She needs to go to a world-class clinic in London as we haven’t got the facilities here, but the HSE have refused funding.”

Unable to walk and in pain on a constant basis, Elizabeth has an assistance dog Bart, who helps her with everyday tasks such as picking up items she drops, opening and closing doors, switching on and off lights, and barking for help.

The referral issue is “problematic” and a “Catch 22 situation”, according to Brenda.

“Elizabeth’s referring consultant no longer sits in the public system and we are unable to get referral elsewhere as no other consultant here deals with her condition.

“Surgery in London is only available under the public system, the NHS, and can only be accessed through the public system – HSE funding. Hopefully we can access the funding.”

Elizabeth’s friend has set up a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising €150k for specialist rehab in the USA.
To support Elizabeth, donate at www.gofundme.com/u4wpzkjz