SUCCESS: After waiting for over two years for an operation to fix a 90 degree curvature of the spine, Ronan Foley, pictured here outside St Oliver's NS with his dad Tony, mom Caroline and brother Gavin, has been given a date for surgery next week. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

After waiting in severe pain for over two and a half years for vital life-changing surgery Ronan Foley - whose family campaigned vigorously - has been given a date for next week.

The surgery - which was cancelled a number of times before - can't come soon enough according to his family who have seen a rapid deterioration of Ronan's spine - which is now at a curvature of over 90 degrees causing chronic pain all day everyday.

His family, alongside staff at St Oliver's NS, TDs, politicians and locals, took part in a media campaign which was featured in the Killarney Advertiser and online to get an urgent date to help give him back a pain free life.

This week his father Tony said that they are delighted to have finally secured a date for next Thursday - but are cautious in case it is cancelled again.

"We have a provisional date, but the nearer we get to it the more nervous we are," Tony told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

"We are delighted but cautious with it. We got the call two weeks ago but kept it to ourselves just in case. We only told family and friends at the weekend in case it got cancelled again."

Ronan (14), who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, is waiting for his operation since March 2018 when he had a 42 degree curve in his spine. By October, this deteriorated to 79 degrees. The operation waiting time should only be three to four months, according to Tony.

"It was decided then that he was priority for surgery and that he'd have it in three to four months. We're two years down the road now and the curvature is over 90 degrees. He's in pain daily. He's either in the bed or lying on the floor on a duvet and it's impacting his organs. He is in a sitting position for a half hour or tops three quarters of an hour each day to eat and we're always asking him if he's comfortable."

The operation for Ronan, who started in St Francis Special School just two weeks ago, will dramatically change his life.

He is a very social child and has a fantastic personality. He loves it there and and it has really picked up his form. He has a fantastic life to get back to," Tony added.

"We're hopefully at a conclusion now, but we're not over the line yet."

Tony, from Killorglin, added that he and his family are so grateful to everyone who helped their campaign from staff at St Oliver's, the locals, TDs Michael Healy-Rae, Pa Daly, Norma Foley, Cllrs Mikey Sheey and Michael Cahill, and local company The Brand Geeks.

"Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has also been very good to us, very approachable and supportive. We can't thank everyone enough."