Ms Fiona Walsh:

Yes. We lived in the outback while we were in Australia. Simon was a flying doctor. Zoe had medical emergencies while we lived there and we had to go to hospital in Adelaide. I was flown down there with Zoe. I have a friend who lives in Alice Springs whose son has disabilities. She travels to Brisbane and Sidney for therapy. Therapists also fly in and out from there. They might do two weeks on and two weeks off.

In Ireland, we are lucky in that if I have to go to Limerick for a specialist appointment, I can hop in the car. We go to Boston to specialists so that would not be a big deal for me. Recently myself and six other mums came together and approached the therapists in Boston. The name of the group is Neurological and Physical Abilitation, NAPA, Center. We put a proposal to them to come to Ireland and work with the kids here. They are coming here for six weeks next year. These are world-renowned experts absolutely at the top of their field. Unfortunately, they are coming here for six weeks only. They do three-week sessions. There were more than 500 applications and only 18 places in the six weeks. The demand is massive. NAPA Center is a business. They can see that. For myself and other mums, our hope is that they will see how much of a need there is for this service here. They have locations in Australia and all around America. Our hope is that they would make Ireland their European base. If the funding is there, the specialists will come.