Family moves across world so Rachel can get life-saving op
Rachel Casey and her father Gerry. The toddler has received life-saving surgery to close the holes in her heart.
Monday November 23 2009
A TODDLER who was born with so many holes in her heart that it resembled a "Swiss cheese" has undergone a life-saving operation in Israel.
Doctors in Ireland were unable to perform the complicated surgery on Rachel Casey, who has Down syndrome -- but when her father was posted to Israel with the Defence Forces he went to a world-renowned surgeon who could save her life.
Gerry and Theresa Casey say their daughter's life has been prolonged thanks to the complicated surgery at the Schneider Children's Medical Centre -- and they have hit out at the lack of services in Ireland for young Down syndrome children.
The Caseys moved to Israel with their four children after Gerry, a captain in the Defence Forces, was one of 11 Irish officers posted to the Middle East as part of a United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation peacekeeping mission.
"She was very sick; our doctor had not been able to close all the large holes in her heart," said Gerry about his bubbly two-and-a-half year old daughter.
"Our physician, Dr Kevin Walsh, recommended that we bring Rachel to Israel, not only because the warmer climate would be very good for her, but also because he said she should see a former student of his, Dr Elhanan Bruckheimer (now a world-renowned paediatric cardiac consultant), at Schneider."
The family was told that it was the last opportunity to close the larger holes in Rachel's heart, described by some in the medical field as being like a "Swiss cheese".
Pressure
The couple -- originally from Co Sligo -- said the procedure helped to reduce the pressure from her heart on her lungs, which causes constant respiratory problems. Rachel is also benefiting from the warmer climate, which is estimated to increase her life expectancy by up to five years.
She is also receiving treatment from Shalva, a voluntary organisation which helps the children with disabilities.
"I am constantly surprised that Ireland, which is considered one of the most economically developed countries in Europe, has almost no services for Down syndrome children before the age of two," said Theresa.
- Edel Kennedy
Irish Independent
