Waterford rallies to support local Sean McCarthy with brain injury recovery

Over €5,000 has so far been raised for Larchville local Sean McCarthy, who suffered a devastating medical emergency in the summer of 2023.

The fundraiser is raising money to help him continue his recovery and provide him with essential equipment, services, therapies and transport so that his family can finally bring him home after being in a hospital setting since that life-changing day in the summer of 2023.

On July 3 of that year, Sean suffered a cardiac arrest.

He was subsequently brought to UHW where he spent 10 days in an induced coma.

According to the GoFundMe page: “Sean's status was extremely critical at this point and his family were informed that there was a very strong chance that he wasn’t going to survive.” 

Sean has since been diagnosed with secondary epilepsy and has experienced several seizure events. During one particular weekend he spent in the intensive care unit, he suffered up to 50 seizures.

Most significantly, however, Sean suffered a serious brain injury as a result of his original cardiac arrest, which has impacted every aspect of his life.

The GoFundMe fundraiser further says: “Sean has severe physical, cognitive, behavioural and communication challenges that are envisaged to remain life-long. Although with ongoing therapies, Sean can continue to make improvements. 

"Going forward, Sean will need 24-hour care and it’s going to cost a lot for the family to be able to get him home. They now need to move out of the house that they’ve lived in for many years and start over in a house in a different area that is more wheelchair accessible."

The fundraiser has a target of reaching €80,000, and 150 donations have already been made from members of the community.

Further donations can be made at gofundme.com