CHILDREN battling serious health conditions got an early Christmas present earlier this month when they met Santa, some for the first time ever.
The meet and greet with the man in red was provided free to families from all over the country at Dreamland, an-all inclusive fantasyland in Limerick run by the Share A Dream Foundation.
Two and a half-year-old Noah Quish, from Monaleen, who has fought back from the brink after heart surgery and other health issues, was “all excited” as he joined in the festivities with his mother Una.
Little Noah was all smiles despite undergoing four major surgeries in his short lifetime.
Una explained that Noah was diagnosed with severe obstructive Laryngomalacia, a blockage of the airways, as well as severe sleep apnea, and a rare chromosome deletion.
He was also recently diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and he is waiting to be fitted with a full body cast to help alleviate the curvature.
Photo: Liam Burke
Despite it all he was in “great form”.
Dreamland has been a Godsend for the family, as it provides a safe environment for her “little miracle” to play, Una said.
Three-year-old Shaye Collins from Killaloe bounced into Dreamland despite been given no hope of surviving after his birth, his mother Veronica recalled.
“Shaye has an undiagnosed Skeletal dysplasia, and he was also born with HLH – a rare blood disease – which is now in remission, thank God.
“We were told he wouldn’t survive but he’s three and he’s doing great,” added the mother-of-four.
“Dreamland is absolutely amazing. All my four kids love it and Shaye isn’t left out. There’s a lot of places Shaye goes to and he’s not tall enough to climb or reach, but this place is perfect,” she explained.
Grazyna Glazik brought along her “three brilliant” daughters Malgosia, (7), Zofia, (5) and Hania (4).
Photo: Liam Burke
Malgosia, who suffers multiple seizures every day, is wheelchair-bound and needs 24-hour care.
However, Dreamland has been their saviour, Glazik said.
“It’s a brilliant place because it’s shiny and there’s lots of colour and for Malgosia, that is important, because she likes lights and colours.”
“She can go everywhere, ramps, lifts, she can go in to every corner, every part of it she can play. In other playgrounds it’s not like that. It’s important she is playing with the healthy kids and being part of the same group.”
Share A Dream founder, Shay Kinsella said he wanted to show the children and their families that “they are not forgotten”.
“A couple of months ago, I got a letter from a little girl who has a seven-year-old brother who had never seen Santa in a grotto. The medical equipment they are using is very cumbersome, a kind of semi-bed-come-wheelchair, and you’re not going to be able to get it in anywhere,” she explained.
Photo: Liam Burke
“So, I said, the true spirit of Christmas is gone if we know these kids are here and we don’t do something for them. I just wanted to show it can be done, and that’s why I built Dreamland, because it’s fully inclusive.”
Members of the 2018 All-Ireland winning Limerick senior hurling team were also in attendance on the special day, bringing with them the League Cup and Munster Cup which they won this year.
To visit Dreamland see www.dreamland.ie
