“Hi! My Name is Michael…
I am 11 years old. I go to school in St. Cronan’s, Bray and live in Greystones. I was born in Dublin on the 6th July 2000 weighing just 3lb and 1oz (1.4 kilo). I am a funny, bright and a clever boy.
I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (spastic quadriplegia) when I was 1 year old which means I have been using a wheelchair since I was 3 old but I hope that with your help I would be able to say “Goodbye!” to that…(more…)
News Flash !!!
May 2012
Thanks to the amazing generosity shown by people from near and far, Michael will be heading to America this summer for an operation to help him to walk independently with an aid. Michael’s parents, Natalija and Marcel started a fundraising campaign last February called “Michael’s Hope For Independence” to raise the required €60,000. In just three short months, they have this week hit the target !
“Just over 3 months ago when we started fundraising, €60,000 seemed to us like a gigantic brick wall that was impossible to climb!” says Natalija. “Luckily we were approached by wonderful people who were willing to help. Michael’s teacher, Karl Ó Broin, has helped us enormously to coordinate the whole campaign and Justin Fitzsimons has managed all the donations as Treasurer of the charity. We also had fantastic help from Serena Fitzsimons, Andrea & Noel Rowsome, Sandra Stanley, Carol Whelan and so many, many more…”
“Since the launch of the campaign on February 24th in the Strand Hotel, we have received amazing support from both the Bray and Greystones Communities, and beyond” say both Michael’s parents. “Through all the fundraising events, we have been stunned by people’s support and generosity, in particular the whole school community of St. Cronan’s. It has really brought home to us that no matter how tough the task seems, when people come together as a community, anything is possible!”
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has shown their support for Michael’s Hope For Independence in any way” says Natalija. “We could never have achieved this target for Michael if it wasn’t for the wonderful support we received from people across Ireland and beyond who donated to Michael’s cause.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to have reached the target of €60,000 and we can’t wait to get on the plane to St. Louis, Missouri to have Michael’s life changed forever!” said Michael’s father Marcel.
As is the case with any operation, Michael will require a significant amount of after-care. There are a few events that have already been organised, including the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon team of ladies have chosen to participate to raise funds for Michael’s Hope For Independence. “We hope that people will be happy to continue with these events, and the money raised will go towards the €20,000 required for the intensive 2-year program of after-care and physiotherapy which follows Michael’s SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy) operation” says Natalija.
Along with Michael’s after-care, Michael’s family would like to donate €2,000 from these funds towards the “Help Cherie Walk” campaign, to help Cherie Anderson from Leopardstown, who has been accepted for the same operation as Michael. They have also passed on the Bag Packing dates for Tesco in Bray that were originally booked for Michael’s Hope For Independence to the Parents’ Associations of both St. Cronan’s & St. Patrick’s Schools by way of a “Thank You” for all the help and support that they have received.
WITH ALL OUR HEARTS WE THANK YOU…with lots of love from Michael and family.
