DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland Transforms home for mooncoin Family
What Happened?
A local family from Mooncoin, County Kilkenny, Ireland, will be featured on the latest episode of RTÉ’s DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland. The episode details the extensive renovations undertaken to create a home suitable for nine-year-old Aoibhínn O’Hanlon, who lives with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Aoibhínn was born four weeks prematurely,weighing 2.5kg, and diagnosed with a severe form of spina bifida – a birth defect were the spinal cord doesn’t fully develop – and hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid within the brain. She is paralyzed from the waist down and relies on a shunt to manage the fluid buildup.
The DIY SOS team,led by Baz Ashmawy,along with volunteers from across Ireland,collaborated to modify the O’Hanlon family’s home to meet Aoibhínn’s complex needs. the family had previously struggled to raise the necessary funds for a suitable home and had been living with john’s parents to save money.
Understanding Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect that occurs during pregnancy. The neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord, doesn’t close completely. There are varying degrees of severity. Aoibhínn’s case is described as severe. Symptoms can include paralysis, bowel and bladder control issues, and hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus, meaning “water on the brain,” is a condition where fluid accumulates in the cavities of the brain. This excess fluid can increase pressure inside the skull, potentially causing brain damage. A shunt is often surgically implanted to drain the excess fluid.
| Condition | Description | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Spina Bifida | Neural tube defect affecting spinal cord growth | Paralysis, bowel/bladder issues, hydrocephalus |
| Hydrocephalus | Fluid buildup in the brain | Increased head size (in infants), developmental delays, seizures |
The O’Hanlon Family’s Journey
Sharon O’Hanlon first suspected something was amiss during her 21-week pregnancy scan. John O’Hanlon vividly recalls the emotional impact of seeing his daughter’s condition promptly after birth at Holles Street hospital. The family faced significant financial and emotional hurdles in trying to create a home that accommodated Aoibhínn’s needs.
The DIY SOS intervention provides the O’Hanlon family with a home designed to improve Aoibhínn’s quality of life and independence.The specific modifications made to the home haven’t been publicly detailed, but typically involve accessibility features such as ramps, wider doorways, adapted bathrooms, and specialized equipment.