Little TJ McDaid is getting ever closer to standing on her own.
The remarkable four-year-old from Drumkeen amazed her physio team last week when she stood almost unaided.
TJ, who has severe spina bifida meningocele, has spent most of the last month in Budapest undergoing intensive physiotherapy at the Peto Institute.
On her final day, she pushed herself to stand with just a little helping hand from her therapist.
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It’s been a massive year for little TJ, who had open skull reshaping surgery in January.
Such is her bravery that she became an honorary garda through the Little Blue Heroes programme last year.
TJ and her mum Claire McDaid are now back home for one of their biggest fundraisers yet.
This Sunday, a campervan raffle will be taking place at St Patrick’s Hall Drumkeen, and someone’s ticket will be the ticket to a life of adventures!
The top prize is an 02-reg camper, fitted with a toilet and kitchen. Second prize is a PS5 and third prize is an electric motorbike for kids.
The raffle will round off a major weekend for TJ, which also includes a jumble sale on 5th and 6th July also at St Patrick’s Hall Drumkeen.
Proceeds will go towards TJ’s treatment in Budapest, where she is building strength with the hope of being able to walk. TJ will be travelling out again in 11 weeks time and every euro counts. Each medical trip to the Peto Institute costs €12,000 on average, so fundraising has been taking place regularly in recent years to ensure TJ’s treatment can continue.
Raffle tickets can be purchased through Revolut or PayPal by simply reaching out to the “Tj wish 2 walk” Facebook page.
Tickets are also available at a wide range of local businesses, including Dry Arch Letterkenny, Brownes Gala Manorcunnigham, One Stop Letterkenny, Mc Ehinneys XL Manor, Dolan Chip Van Manor, Oldtown Stores Letterkenny, Marleys Shop Cloghan, Hardware & Grain Raphoe, Gibsons Farm Shop Raphoe, Barclays Raphoe, Gallinagh Nursery Centre Stranorlar, and Alexanders Ballybofey.
Anyone wishing to further support TJ’s journey can also donate to her main GoFundMe fundraising page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/life-changing-treatment-for-t-j/
TJ McDaid checks out the campervan up for grabs this summer
