Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask the Taoiseach about a rather sensitive and emotional issue regarding a young boy named Adam Terry. He is from Whitechurch in Cork. Adam and his mum, Christine, had to go on Claire Byrne's radio show with the reporter Brian O'Connell again yesterday to tell the horrific story of the pain Adam is experiencing as he waits for the complex scoliosis surgery which he was promised for the past four years. I am also aware of a ten-year-old boy named Senan. He and Adam share the same interests - trampolining, drama and gaming. I, along with thousands of others, found it very difficult and emotional to listen to the report of Adam and Christine yesterday. I took it upon myself to speak to Christine yesterday evening for over half an hour. Her story was horrific.

Adam's story is far more important and indicative of where we are going as a country than any budget announced yesterday. Why? Our priorities have changed. I am sure the majority of people in this country would give up any modest tax change if Adam and the 172 other children waiting for scoliosis procedures could have them. That is my belief. Adam suffers from Marfan syndrome. He has spina bifida, osteogenesis imperfecta, OI, or brittle bone disease and a heart condition. He was identified with spinal issues when he was 18 months old. He has had 21 procedures in his ten years with us. Some of them did not go well and Adam had to go through an awful lot. He is a full-time wheelchair user. Four years ago his surgery would have been complex, but now it is more complex. It may go to the point where he will never be able to live without pain - imagine that - because of the delay.

Now the curve of his spine is so bad that some of his internal bones are rubbing against each other and he has to try to crack his back to get pain relief. You can see the curve on the side of his body. It is upsetting his organs and potentially causing other medical issues. His stomach is squashed and he cannot eat properly. His weight is down to 18 kg, and remember, he is ten. Adam and Christine were told by Crumlin hospital in December 2020 that the surgery would be done in the spring. That was once again put off to never-never land. In February, the date was put off to another six or nine months. That has not happened and last month Christine had a very difficult conversation with the clinicians in Crumlin. They are considering Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. As the Taoiseach knows, that should not happen in our country. He should not have to go there because the aftercare and complications of aftercare there would not be good enough. Adam describes his pain as "almost paralysing". This is very hard to take. He said: "Nobody is coming to find me in the lost and found." He has suffered enough.

The question for the Taoiseach is not from me, but from Adam. I spoke to him and his mother at 10.30 this morning. He asked me to put this question to the Taoiseach on the floor of the Dáil. They are his words, not mine:

Dear Taoiseach, I am from Cork, like you. You know my story well by now. Will you please ensure I get the treatment and aftercare I so desperately need so I can get back to school and play with my friends, who I miss so much? I really, really need your help. Thanks. Adam.

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