Our daughter Kate has been fighting for her life since before she was born.

At 14 weeks, her waters broke and we were told to prepare for the worst. Kate defied every odd and was born at just 24 weeks and 2 days, weighing 1 lb 3 oz. She battled to breathe, eat, and survive. Heartbreakingly, her twin brother Seán passed away at 15 days old.

Kate spent six months in Neonatal Intensive Care and has since undergone nine major surgeries. She was born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, which causes very stiff joints in her hips and knees. She struggles to walk and sit, falls hard every day, and cannot bend to protect herself. Yet she never complains. She is brave, determined, and full of life.

In 2022, Kate had life-changing surgeries with Dr. David Feldman at The Paley Institute in Florida. These helped improve her mobility, but growth is the enemy. As she grows, her muscles tighten, and she begins to lose the movement those surgeries gave her.

To keep progressing, Kate urgently needs intensive physical and occupational therapy at the world-renowned NAPA Centre and SwimLab International. Early, repeated therapy is essential while her brain’s ability to learn (neuroplasticity) is at its highest. These therapies are expensive but offer Kate the best chance at independence and mobility.

We are also hoping to create a downstairs bedroom and bathroom so she can move safely at home as she gets older.

We are asking for help to give Kate every opportunity she deserves — to walk more easily, to move safely, to live with less pain, and to have a future shaped by her strength, not her limitations.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story and for supporting our incredible little girl.

Elaine, Colin, Kate, Michael and Remi (the assistance dog!)

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, they will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives. If, in those circumstances, we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.