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KERRY parents are being invited to put on their walking shoes for premature babies with the launch of a very special walk to raise funds for the Neonatal Unit at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

Abby and Seamus O’Leary from Ballymakeera, Co Cork, who have family in Kilgarvan, last week celebrated the first birthday of their twins, who have had a difficult year after being born at just 28 weeks.

The family are hosting a walk at the Top of Coom on March 19 to say thanks for all the support they received since the birth of the twins and to say a special thanks to the Neonatal Unit at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

Abimay and Gerard were born on February 25, 2016. Gerard weighed only 1lb 11oz while Abimay was 2lb 6oz when they came into the world over three months early.

Due to complications with the pregnancy and fears that baby Gerard would not survive a decision was taken to induce Abbey at just 28 weeks.

“We were told at 25 weeks that Gerard may not make it so for the next three weeks I went for a scan twice a week to see was he and his twin both alive.”

“It was such a traumatic and difficult time. We didn’t know what would happen,” recalls Abby.
Following their birth the twins were immediately rushed to the neonatal unit at Cork University Hospital.

“It was terrifying when they were born. They were so small and we didn’t even know if they would survive. ”

The twins, who both suffered from heart conditions and underdeveloped lungs, remained in the unit for almost three months before they came home.

During that time Abby and her husband, Seamus, who also have a 14-year old daughter, Monica, spent every moment with their new additions to their family. Abimay was allowed home after 10 weeks and Gerard after 13 weeks.

Last week the twins, who have since both undergo heart surgery, celebrated their first birthday and are looking forward to a bright future.

Having seen first-hand the care at the neonatal unit the couple now want to give back to say thanks for all the help they received.

They have launched "Tiny Steps for Preemie Babies” which is a 5k and 10k fun run at the Top of Coom pub next Sunday, March 19, at 12pm. There are two routes – a 5k and 10k both starting at the Top of Coom Bar and crossing the border from Kerry into Cork and back again.

More details can be found on the Facebook event page Tiny Steps for Preemie Babies.
 

 
Eileen Creedon, Abby and Seamus O’Leary and their twins, Abimay and Gerard and daughter, Monica.