Weekend visit advances plans for brave Liam to finally come home

This week the boy, who turns four in September, will spend two nights at home to prepare him for the planned June 7 hospital discharge date.

He has also joined Burranview, a parent and toddler group for children with special needs.

For two hours, once a week, this is where Liam will get used to socialising with other kids and learn to play and share after a lifetime confined to an isolation unit in hospital surrounded only by family and medics.

His first overnight at home went off without a hitch last Wednesday, revealed his proud mum Louise.

“We got to tuck him in, it was lovely not to drive miles and miles to get to him. He slept soundly for nearly twelve hours. It felt so normal, of course it was so normal but it hasn’t been normal for us,” she recalls.

“He knew he was at home. When we brought him back to the hospital he wouldn’t let us push him in the door, he just didn’t want to stay. It’s heart-wrenching, he wants to be at home but hopefully it won’t be too long more.”

Since his transfer from Crumlin Children’s Hospital to University Hospital Galway in January, his progress has been meteoric.

He can now fly around on a walking frame, which has given him a whole new lease of life.

“He can go out on the tarmac at home, he can stand upright now instead of lying on the ground. He’s really communicating now with his speaking valves and even has a few words.”

Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.