Brave little Galway boy is home at last for Christmas

The brave Clonberne boy who captured the hearts of the nation is finally enjoying his first-ever Christmas out of hospital – at home in the bosom of his family.

Four-year-old Liam Mac an tSaoi was born prematurely at 24 weeks in September 2010, weighing just 14oz (460g) and suffers from chronic lung disease, which has left him on a ventilator 24 hours per day.

He also had to have a leg amputated, caught MRSA and due to a genetic disorder, is unable to process part of a protein called Phe, which is in almost all foods, and can cause brain damage if levels get too high.

Liam had been due to spend his first Christmas at home last year, but events conspired against him, leaving his family heartbroken.

He finally made it home at the end of June – and is now under 24 hour care from his parents and health workers.

Thankfully, he has not had to be readmitted to hospital since he came home to Galway.

Mum Louise said: “He hasn’t had to be readmitted since he came home which is unusual for a ventilated child. It shows that home is where he needed to be.

“It’s lovely to finally have Liam playing on the floor listening to Christmas songs and pointing to Santa and playing with the Crib. Our first Christmas at home in five years. Liam finally gets to place our angel on top of the Christmas tree.

“He’s getting better all the time. He gets excited when he sees children walking in the street. He just wants to mix with children his age, which he wasn’t able to do in hospital, because he was isolated with MRSA,” said Louise.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune – in the shops on Christmas Eve.