‘Delaying these surgeries makes no sense’: Longford woman calls for statutory enquiry

Kira Carberry was just 10-years-old when she found out that she had Early Onset Scoliosis. Currently studying childcare and from just outside Longford town, she has been advocating for a statutory inquiry to look into excess waiting lists, and children being removed from these lists without explanation.

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Explaining that, at 10, her spine curved 45 degrees, she had to wait 11 months to receive treatment after seeing her consultant in Crumlin. In that time, it progressed to 95 degrees with a lumbar curve of 52. It meant that she required two operations. However, the wait brought not just toil to her health, but also to her life:

“I was left with no care; I couldn't go to school. I was sitting at home on a couch, crippled–to put it. I was finally operated on October 6.

“They had to perform a procedure where they removed my ribs because my spine was crushing my lungs. I’d complications after my first surgery, as it was so much on my body, I had a second two weeks later.”

She received her surgery in October 2014, but the consequences of being left led to thyroid problems, requiring an oxygen machine at night and stomach issues.

In 2015, a screw had gone loose from the previous operation and broke through her skin so became an emergency operation.

By 2017, after rapid weight loss, and doctors claiming she was after attention and wanting to turn her away, it was learnt that she had SMA, a block in her stomach.

“I needed a feeding tube for several months. I was thirteen, I was insecure. In 2018, I had neck pain because my previous surgery put the rods in my neck; they gave me another surgery to move the rods down to my back more. That was my final surgery.

“I was discharged from Crumlin in 2019 when I was 16 and left on a waiting list in Tallaght. I waited six years, and learnt that the consultant only does children’s services. I had to be moved to the Mater Hospital. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my lower back. I had to get injections in my lower back because I’m in pain.”

Despite speaking in the Dail about her story and TDs promising to address it further, Kira said she was shocked when they voted in confidence of Simon Harris, who she says has constantly broken the promise that no child would be waiting. Having no faith in him, she hopes he resigns so someone capable of making a difference can step into government.

Yet, despite challenges, Kira’s story has been helping others. Through social media platforms, she has been receiving support and shared stories from people.

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“Many people around my age have reached out through different platforms about not being alone. I’ve been interacting with them back. I love giving them advice, I’m happy to help. I’m delighted by the outpour of love on social media. It’s amazing.”

With constant questions over her own future in ten years, whether she will be working in childcare or capable of living without constant support, Kira hopes to continue raising awareness that Scoliosis is not a simple procedure but one with long recovery, and being left waiting causes repercussions on the organs but also the healthcare system.

“Simon Harris needs to resign. Someone needs to be put in charge who will take action. We want answers from anyone.”