Joy for family and friends as Tj (5) starts his first day at school

By Mary Dennehy

MORE than three years ago, the community rallied behind a Tallaght toddler called Tj Cunningham who needed to raise €160,000 for life-saving brain surgery in the United States.

Diagnosed with a rare and severe form of epilepsy called Infantile Spasms when he was just 13 months, Tj suffered from 100 hard-to-control seizures every day and developmental regression – which resulted in the tot losing his ability to walk, talk, sit on his own, balance, respond to his name and understand basic commands.

However, thanks to the outpouring of public support, and his parents’ determination, Tj travelled to Detroit in March 2013 for surgery – and now, three years down the line, the five-year-old has started primary school.

Tj’s mam Leah told The Echo: “We are so grateful to everyone in the community who helped us to raise more than €160,000, because if we didn’t get Tj that surgery he would more or less be in a vegetative state now.

“Before the surgery we had no life expectancy for Tj and he had no quality of life.

“However, now he is starting mainstream school – which is just so amazing, we’re overwhelmed.”

Tj, who lives in Ellensborough with his mam Leah and dad Tony, started junior infants in St Martin De Porres National School in Aylesbury on Wednesday.

Assigned a full-time Special Needs Assistant, Tj, who, on daily medication, has around one seizure a year now, was excited on his first day – and looking forward to making new friends.

“We feel so lucky and are so grateful to everyone that supported us,” Leah said.

“We were able to pay for Tj’s surgery and get him a tutor, Fiona Mallon, who has played a huge role in getting Tj ready for mainstream school.

“His playschool Junior Genius was also amazing and St Martin’s school have been very supportive in meeting his needs.
“We really wouldn’t be here without everyone’s support.

“This is such a huge milestone for all of us and we’re so grateful to every single person who helped us to get here.”