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Trip of a lifetime for ‘miracle’ boy

Thursday, 06 March 2008

A nine-year old diabetes sufferer from Lucan is going on the trip of a lifetime to Florida thanks to the Children’s Miracle Network.
Eoin Burke, who was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was seven, will be taking the holiday with his whole family to take part in the ‘Children’s Miracle Network Celebration’.
The event is organised by the Children’s Miracle Network, an international non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of sick children who have triumphed against severe challenges.
The celebration will include an awards ceremony in which the children are presented with medals, a celebratory dinner and a trip to Disneyland.
Eoin discovered he was diabetic in December 2005 when he was rushed to Tallaght Hospital suffering from vomiting and the loss of sight in one eye.
His mother had previously noticed that he was constantly thirsty or hungry and needed to use the toilet a lot.
Within minutes of being admitted to hospital Eoin was diagnosed with diabetes and he began his treatment.
After leaving hospital on Christmas Eve Eoin was put on insulin injections for two years before having an insulin pump fitted, which provided him with much greater freedom to enjoy his life.
Eoin’s mother Fiona said her son was getting very excited about the imminent trip.
“He is missing a week from school as well, which is even better for him,” she said. “He hasn’t even been sleeping properly for the last week with excitement.”
Eoin currently attends the National Children’s Hospital four times a year and is well known to the dedicated diabetes team there.
Fiona added: “There are a lot of things we won’t learn about how the illness affects him until he is 15 or 16. Diet is very important, especially knowing what he can or cannot eat and when he can eat it.”
Fiona revealed that it has meant a lot to her to know that there was a dedicated diabetes team at the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght and a help line they can call at any time to speak with a member of the team.
There is no cure for type one or ‘childhood’ diabetes, which can be lethal without insulin injections, and the disease will affect Eoin for life.
Despite his serious medical condition he is an active child who loves football and even trains with the Esker Celtic under 9s. He can mostly be found in goals but says he enjoys the glory of playing out field too.
He is a big Manchester United fan and has travelled to Old Trafford twice to see them play at their home ground. Two other Irish families will be joining the Burkes on the trip to Florida as part of the Children’s Miracle Network.
The children, or ‘Champions’ as they are known, will meet with other kids from many different countries.
The group currently raises funds for Ireland’s three national children’s hospitals and is part of an international network of organisations that raise money and awareness for sick children.
Each year over 17 million children are treated at hospitals supported by the network with over e3 billion donated each year.
There are currently 170 children’s hospitals affiliated with the network helping children of all races, ages, religions and financial backgrounds.

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