Waterford man returns home after two years in hospital

A lip-sync battle is taking place this Saturday in Bank Lane in aid of Sean McCarthy, who suffered a cardiac arrest and subsequent brain injury in 2023.

He has returned home to Waterford this week after two years in hospital. 

His wife Annmarie is now his full-time carer and says: “It’s up to us to make his life as easy as possible.” 

Just three days before his 49th birthday, Sean McCarthey’s wife was asked by his doctor if she wanted to turn off the machines that were keeping him alive.

Sean had just suffered a devastating cardiac arrest that led to a coma and a severe brain injury. 

Since then, Annmarie and their daughter Aoibhinn have said goodbye to Sean on three separate occasions.

But “he defied a million odds,” says Annmarie, and just over two years later, Sean has finally returned home.

Sean was born in Larchville and worked in Tesco Ballybeg since it opened in 2010.

He is a ‘proud Waterford man’ and always felt a “strong sense of community.” 

However, on July 3, 2023, Sean suffered a massive cardiac arrest, which resulted in epilepsy and severe brain injury.

According to the GoFundMe page set up by his wife AnnMarie, Sean suffered up to 50 seizures in just one weekend.

He has spent the past two years in UHW and the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Sean’s survival is a “miracle.”

In the past two years, Sean has caught Covid, sepsis and MRSA due to a weakened immune system.

In an interview with Damien Tiernan on WLRFM, Annmarie explained that the €14,000 raised through the page will be used for transport costs.

Annmarie said that wheelchair accessible taxis are unreliable due to high demand because of patients on dialysis. 

She went on to say that while the government care package has been ‘brilliant’, there is no government funding for transport. 

This means that if charities such as the Order of Malta are busy, important appointments at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire are missed.

According to the GoFundMe:“During Sean’s stay in the NRH, he was measured for a custom-made wheelchair.

Although ideal for Sean for comfort due to its size and molded seating, it isn’t compatible with all wheelchair taxis.” 

Annmarie hopes to raise enough money to be able to buy a car so that she can transport Sean herself.

Since returning home, Sean requires 24-hour care, meaning that Annmarie is now his full-time carer.

According to her, he is on over twenty-two different medications per day.

She remains positive and told WLRFM that she’s “so happy to have him home” and that “he’s delighted to be home.” 

The family has recently moved to a new house that is wheelchair accessible, but it will take a while to get settled in, explained Annmarie.

According to Annmarie, Sean has made huge progress and has even started to speak occasionally. 

“He has come further than his family and his doctors ever thought possible.” 

She thanked her friends, family and those who donated to the GoFundMe, saying: “The support has been brilliant.” 

 She wanted to especially thank Penny’s who are hosting a lip sync battle in aid of Sean. 

The event will take place this Saturday, October 4, in Bank Lane at 7 pm.

Tickets are €20 and can be bought on the door. 

It will be judged by Nicole from Synergy Dance Club, according to Penny’s Waterford Instagram page, where more details about the event can be found.