Fundraiser to support Galway girl (12) left paralysed after scoliosis surgery raises over €40,000
Izzy Sallis from Mullagh, Co Galway, walked into hospital aged 11 for a planned Scoliosis operation last September. The objective of the procedure was to provide her with a neck stabilisation device to improve her comfort and quality of life.However, heartbreak struck during the surgery as Izzy suffered a catastrophic injury to her brain stem and spinal cord that has left her paralysed from the neck down and unable to breathe.Her mother, Deborah Lyons, said that Izzy has been on a ventilator ever since.Speaking to Galway Bay FM earlier this week, Deborah said that Izzy suffers from Hurler syndrome but had always been healthy and largely unaffected through her young life.“Honestly, we thought she’s just been blessed, so this happening to her has been absolutely heartbreaking and I cannot express the pain I feel for her right now. I am just desperate to give her some chance at recovery,” she added.A GoFundMe for Izzy was set up by her family earlier this week and has raised over €40,000 at the time of writing.“Izzy is awake and fully cognitive and understandably terrified about what has happened to her,” Deborah wrote on GoFundMe.“She has remained in ICU since. Our lives were changed forever in that moment. As a family, we are facing a future we never imagined and Izzy's life into the future will be incredibly challenging.
“Izzy's life going forward will be incredibly challenging for her and her family. It is expected that Izzy will require lifelong 24/7 care and support, including specialist medical equipment, mobility supports, transport adaptations, and home modifications to meet her needs now and into the future.”As well as essential care and living supports, Deborah said their family may also need to explore additional medical options and treatments in the future, depending on Izzy’s condition and medical advice.“We are raising funds to help Izzy and our family with the very significant costs that come with long-term care, accessibility adaptations, and ongoing support. Any donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser,” she added.Anyone who would like to donate can do so via the “Izzy's Fight: Funding Critical Care After Spinal Cord Injury” on GoFundMe.ie or by clicking here.
