I can hear – now I want to walk

Back in October, two-year-old Faith Browne, who suffers from spastic diplegia cerebral palsy and the rare hearing condition, auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, was given the gift of hearing through cochlear implants.

Faith Browne, with her dad Dave, mum Lisa and older sister Lydia. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Now her family are appealing for help from the public so she can walk for the first time too.

Major surgery is already being scheduled for September 2017 in Missouri in the US, but the family will need €100,000 to make this a reality.

It comes years after Faith developed non-immune hydrops, causing a build up of fluid around her heart, while just days old.

“I can’t guarantee that I will raise this money,” Faith’s mum Lisa said. “I can only promise to do everything in my power to get Faith to America and never give up.”

Lisa hopes for a day when Faith can enjoy a life like her 10-year-old sister Lydia’s.

“Even to see Faith being able to walk to her room to go to bed at night would be a dream come true. Right now she can’t even sit up or crawl so there is no mobility there at all.

“The brain injury hasn’t affected her intellect so Faith is very bright. She often watches her older sister Lydia playing. When she’s watching her legs moving you can tell she’s wondering why hers can’t do the same.

Faith Browne.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

“We’ve been told that the operation needs to be done as soon as possible before the deformities in her lower legs set in. Surgery while she’s young will also prevent some of the intense pain she’s set to experience in years to come.”

The family have already raised almost €1,600 towards the cost of an operation but stressed there is still a long way to go.

“That money will be going towards the trip to America, the cost of surgery as well as the physiotherapy sessions she’ll need to endure. I know it’s unlikely that Faith will be able to walk the way we do after the operation but it will mean so much to us if she has any bit of independence at all.

“Her sister is always outside playing. There are some days where she’ll only come in for a glass of water and spend the rest of the time playing. Faith loves nothing more than to interact and is the most happy and lovable little girl you will ever meet. We want this for her more than anything.”

Lydia has huge belief in her little sister.“ We’ve told Lydia that Faith will be having the operation,” Lisa said. “However, she’s so convinced that Faith will one day walk on her own so feels she doesn’t need the operation. All she tells us is that she’s excited to go to America.”

To donate online to Faith’s fund, visit www.gofundme.com/289n7xbs. Those who would like to organise a fundraising event for Faith can contact lisabrowne208@gmail.com