A Donegal mum is fearful of running out of funds to give her little girl a chance to walk.
Claire McDaid from Drumkeen, now living in Dublin, has been fundraising for over a year for her two-year-old girl TJ to get specialist surgery and physiotherapy.
Little TJ was born with severe spina bifida meningocele, a permanently disabling birth defect, but despite her challenges, she is always smiling. She has battled against the odds all her life but her parents have hope that one day TJ might be able to walk.
TJ has been accepted for treatment at the Peto Institute in Budapest this year. The treatment, special equipment, and additional costs total to about €100,000.
TJ Needham on her 2nd Birthday in October
The costs range from €8,000 to €10,000 a month in Budapest. But, with the surgery date approaching, Claire is concerned that TJ won’t get the most from her therapy.
Claire said: “We met with TJ’s Budapest team and her operation is in 4 to 6 weeks time. Once she has recovered, she is back for intense therapy.
“At the moment we don’t have enough to cover the cost.
“We are appealing to anyone who can organise fundraising events to help.”
TJ Needham lives in Stoneybatter with her mum Claire and dad Jay
A car boot sale is taking place on Saturday 18th February in Letterkenny Community Centre, with all proceeds going to TJ’s Wish to Walk. TJ’s cousin, Maggie Pyper McDaid, is organising the sale and appealing for any unwanted items such as clothes, toys, unwanted gifts to be donated for the stall. Call Maggie on 086 051 3036.
The family has partnered with the Dublin GAA Fans Facebook page to raffle a signed Dublin jersey on St Patrick’s Day to raise extra funds for TJ. People are asked to donate to this GoFundMe to enter the draw: https://gofund.me/43656b3a. A donation of €5 will get you one entry, €10 for 3 entries and €20 for 8 entries.
Anyone who wishes to host a fundraiser in the Donegal area is asked to contact Maggie Pyper McDaid (086 051 3036) or the Princess T.j Needham fundraising page here.
Visit TJ’s main online fundraising page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/life-changing-treatment-for-t-j/
