Teen Eyes LA Paralympics After Successful Spinal Surgery
Teen Athlete Sets Sights on Paralympics After Life-Changing Spinal Surgery
dublin,Ireland – Sixteen-year-old finn Dempsey is already looking towards the future,with his sights set on the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. This ambitious goal comes after a successful full spinal fusion surgery that has transformed his life.
Finn, who hails from Terenure and lives with cerebral palsy and scoliosis, underwent the complex procedure that has not only alleviated his pain but also dramatically improved his mobility. “I’m delighted to say I’m two inches taller and both my legs are the same length now,” Finn shared, highlighting the positive impact of the surgery.
Finn’s story is just one exmaple of the progress being made in addressing the spinal surgery waiting list in Ireland. The Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Spinal Surgery Unit has been working tirelessly to reduce wait times and provide timely care to young patients. This year alone, the unit expects to perform around 520 spinal surgeries.
A recent initiative has seen approximately 20 children receive their surgeries in London or New York, with 10-15 expected to be completed before the end of the year. Older patients, aged 12 and above, are also benefiting from treatment at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin, where 43 surgeries have already been performed.
While Finn’s road to recovery included a few complications, he is now pain-free and focused on his athletic aspirations. He is particularly passionate about Frame Running, a sport that utilizes a three-wheeled bicycle without pedals.
“I’m hugely excited about the Paralympics,” Finn said, adding that he’s also looking forward to being home for Christmas.
The CHI’s commitment to improving spinal surgery access is evident in several key initiatives. The establishment of a dedicated Spinal Surgery Management Unit, lead by orthopaedic consultant Mr. David Moore,has streamlined the process.
monthly Saturday Clinics for outpatients awaiting their first spinal consultation have substantially reduced the spinal outpatients waiting list by 42%. Additionally,an early start in the operating room at CHI at Crumlin allows for an additional spinal procedure each day,perhaps adding 20 more surgeries between July and December 2024.
Despite these advancements, the spinal surgery waiting list remains a concern. As of last month, 243 children were awaiting surgery, with over 40 waiting more than six months.Two children have been waiting between three and four years.
The CHI continues to work diligently to address this backlog and ensure that all children receive the timely care they deserve. Finn’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of spinal surgery and the importance of continued efforts to improve access to this vital treatment.
Teen Athlete Sets Sights on Paralympics After Life-Changing Spinal Surgery
Dublin, Ireland – Sixteen-year-old Finn Dempsey is already looking towards the future, with his sights set on the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. This enterprising goal comes after a successful full spinal fusion surgery that has transformed his life.
Finn, who hails from Terenure and lives with cerebral palsy and scoliosis, underwent the complex procedure that has not only alleviated his pain but also dramatically improved his mobility. “I’m delighted to say I’m two inches taller and both my legs are the same length now,” Finn shared, highlighting the positive impact of the surgery.
Finn’s story is just one example of the progress being made in addressing the spinal surgery waiting list in Ireland. the Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Spinal Surgery Unit has been working tirelessly to reduce wait times and provide timely care to young patients. This year alone, the unit expects to perform around 520 spinal surgeries.
A recent initiative has seen approximately 20 children receive thier surgeries in London or New York, with 10-15 expected to be completed before the end of the year. Older patients, aged 12 and above, are also benefiting from treatment at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin, where 43 surgeries have already been performed.
While Finn’s road to recovery included a few complications, he is now pain-free and focused on his athletic aspirations. He is notably passionate about Frame Running,a sport that utilizes a three-wheeled bicycle without pedals.
“I’m hugely excited about the Paralympics,” Finn said, adding that he’s also looking forward to being home for Christmas.
The CHI’s commitment to improving spinal surgery access is evident in several key initiatives.The establishment of a dedicated Spinal Surgery Management Unit, lead by orthopaedic consultant Mr.David Moore, has streamlined the process. Monthly Saturday Clinics for outpatients awaiting their first spinal consultation have substantially reduced the spinal outpatients waiting list by 42%. Additionally, an early start in the operating room at CHI at Crumlin allows for an additional spinal procedure each day, perhaps adding 20 more surgeries between July and December 2024.
Despite these advancements, the spinal surgery waiting list remains a concern. As of last month, 243 children were awaiting surgery, with over 40 waiting more than six months. Two children have been waiting between three and four years.
The CHI continues to work diligently to address this backlog and ensure that all children receive the timely care they deserve. Finn’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of spinal surgery and the importance of continued efforts to improve access to this vital treatment.