West Cork Féile’s progress ‘wonderful’ despite 60 operations since July

A 13-year-old girl who lost both of her legs in a farming accident in West Cork last July is continuing “to make wonderful progress” and is able to get around hospital in her motorised chair.

Féile O’Sullivan has had 60 operations since the tractor accident in her native Allihies, on the Beara peninsula, just days before her birthday.

Féile was airlifted to hospital in Cork.

A week later, she was transferred to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin.

Her mother, Maureen O’Sullivan, has told Virgin Media News that getting home for Christmas is the priority for her daughter.

Maureen said: “Oh, absolutely (it is). That would be everything come at once, because, in our eyes, Christmas was never coming. So, I think, yes, that would be amazing.

“There were so many really hard days of not knowing and then being, ‘What if, what if, what if?’ Not knowing if she (Féile) would make it. There was obviously some really, really difficult days after that incident happened, while she was here. So, it was always a waiting game. That is the difficult part.”

Maureen told journalist Zara King that the decision to amputate was inevitable, given the situation Féile was facing.

“It wasn’t really a decision, as such,” Maureen said. 

“It was her body decided, is the way we would put it. Unfortunately, there was an awful lot of necrotic tissue that meant that the decision was no longer ours. So it was either save her or save the legs. So the decision was fairly easy.”

The proud mother said that Féile is focusing on her future. She is already planning what she is going to do in the months and years ahead.

“That (going forward) drives her completely,” Maureen said. “She is like, ‘Oh my God, when I go home I will be able to do that with them (her friends) and, Mum, I’ll be able to chase them in my chair.’ This kind of thing. Or they could even hop on the chair with her. Or they will walk the dogs.

“There has never been a moment of, ‘Oh, I won’t be able to go there or I won’t be able to do that.’ Which is kind of interesting. And I keep going, ‘Maybe she just doesn’t realise?’ But she does.

“She has thought of everything. She has thought of more things than I have.”

Maureen says that her daughter is already considering the possibility of taking part in the Paralympics, having received countless messages of support from top Irish athletes.

She added that Féile and the family really appreciate all of the fundraising and support they have received.

Maureen said: “I think it is really important to highlight and thank everyone. There will never be words to say how grateful we are for everything.”

Meanwhile, an update on the GoFundMe page for the youngster indicates that regaining some independence has lifted Feile’s spirits.

Maureen said: 

“She is truly enjoying feeling more like herself again. More than anything, Féile is deeply grateful: Grateful to be here, grateful for the incredible care she’s receiving, and grateful for every single person who has supported her, sent love, donated, or kept her in their thoughts.”

Close to €762,000 has been raised for the appeal. A four-person fundraising committee for Féile met for the first time on the August bank holiday weekend, and has said that the response has been “phenomenal”.

Féile will require additional surgery and intensive rehabiliation, specialist care, physiotherapy, emotional support, and home adaptations.

She has been described as being full of life, energy, and fun — a “pure messer”, who adores dogs and horses.

Her family say that the accident hasn’t changed who she is, but has “changed what she now needs”.

Donations can be made to the appeal for the ‘true warrior’ at at https://gofund.me/6ba19485.