Paddy age 12 from Galway

• Currently waiting on urgent scoliosis surgery.
• Waiting on orthopaedic day surgery.
• Losing the ability to self propel his wheelchair.
• He was seen at the Spina bifida multidisciplinary team (MDT) clinic in 2021 but was waiting over 2 years prior to that.
• Enjoys playing wheelchair basketball, however this is now impacted due to delays in his surgical intervention.
• Local media have given front page coverage to Paddy's story Galway boy’s Christmas plea for surgery to help him live his best life,
• "Children living with spina bifida in Ireland have been known to wait up to four years for surgery, with many facing health deterioration, amputation, and organ failure as a result of the long wait for treatment"