The family of a 20 year-old Carrick-on-Suir woman, who suffered a catastrophic stroke 19 months ago, are fundraising to help pay for the adaptation of their home to cater for her physical needs after the life-changing illness.
The Bracken family from Castle Heights, Carrick-on-Suir have set up a GoFundMe campaign with the goal of raising €100,000 to build a specially adapted extension to their house for their daughter Hannah.
A sponsored walk on the Suir Blueway on Sunday, July 5 was the latest in a series of fundraising events in Carrick-on-Suir over the past few months for the Help Hannah Rebuild Life After Catastrophic Stroke GoFundMe campaign with more on the way.
The walk was organised in association with Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club, which chose Hannah three years ago to represent the club and town in the Lions National Young Ambassador of the 21st century competition due to her community work.
Hannah's mother Janice says before her stroke, her daughter was a remarkable young woman who dedicated so much of her time to helping others.
As well as winning Carrick Lions Club's Youth Ambassador competition, she was honoured with a Garda Youth Award in 2024.
“During the COVID-19 lockdown, Hannah made and sold face masks, raising over €800, with every cent donated to Foróige in Carrick-on-Suir,” Janice recalls.
“She completed the Leadership for Life programme with Foróige, graduating from the University of Galway with her certificate before she had even completed her Leaving Certificate.
“Hannah has always lived her life with kindness, determination and a desire to make a difference.”
But just months after completing her Leaving Cert at Comeragh College and after starting a Special Needs Assistant course at Waterford College of Further Education, Hannah's life changed utterly. In the early hours of January 2 last year, she suffered a catastrophic haemorrhagic stroke and collapsed at her home.
The stroke caused by an undiagnosed arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in Hannah's brain left her critically ill and she was transferred from Tipperary University Hospital to Cork University Hospital where she underwent an emergency craniotomy.
“We were told Hannah had only a 20% chance of survival. The operation, expected to last four hours, took eight and a half hours. Thanks to the incredible skill and determination of the surgical team, they saved our daughter’s life,” recalls Janice.
Hannah woke from her coma seven days after her collapse on her 19th birthday. She spent almost a month in Cork University Hospital before returning to Clonmel Hospital, where she remained for a further six months of rehabilitation and then spent another three months in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin.
Janice says Hannah has had to relearn how to speak, eat and walk. She lives with 42% paralysis on her right side but can now walk short distances using an orthopaedic foot brace thanks to the unwavering determination she has shown to push herself every single day.
“Recently, for the first time in a year and a half, Hannah proudly walked from our home in Castle Heights to the bottom of Castle Court. Her goal was to walk to Fr John Fortune’s house. He has been an incredible source of strength, encouragement and friendship throughout her recovery. It was a milestone that meant the world to her.”
It has been an incredibly tough time for the family. While Hannah was recovering from her stroke, they suffered another devastating blow when her younger brother Cormac was diagnosed with a tumour on his brain stem.
“Thankfully, he is under the wonderful care of Temple Street Children’s Hospital and continues to receive regular monitoring and growth scans,” says Janice.
When Hannah became ill, Janice had to leave work to become her full-time carer. She moved temporarily to Dublin to support Hannah during her time at the National Rehabilitation Hospital while her husband Brendan remained at home caring for Cormac.
“Overnight, our family became a one-income household. Unfortunately, because housing (adaptation) grants are assessed using previous income, we were not eligible for the financial support we desperately needed.”
“Our home was never designed for someone with significant mobility difficulties. The stairs and bathroom present daily risks, and Hannah has suffered several falls.
“Making it fully accessible will not only improve her safety but will also give her the independence, confidence and dignity she deserves as she continues her rehabilitation,” she said.
Work is underway on the extension and over €45,000 has, so far, been raised for the GoFundMe campaign.
On behalf of her family, Janice thanked the medical staff of Tipperary University Hospital and Cork University Hospital for the exceptional care they gave Hannah following her stroke.
“Dr Amhead, Dr Tazniem and the entire team under Professor Murchan continued to care for Hannah throughout her recovery when she returned to Clonmel following her time in Cork. Their dedication and support have meant more to us than words can ever express.”
The family are eternally grateful to everyone who has helped them, whether by providing transport to appointments, organising fundraising events, offering therapies, sending messages of encouragement or simply being there when they needed support.
“Every act of kindness has reminded us that we have never faced this journey alone."She thanks building contractor Stretch Barrett and his team, who are building the extension.
“They arrive at our home each day with smiles, laughter and endless encouragement for Hannah. They have worked tirelessly to help make our dream of creating a safe, accessible home become a reality.”Janice thanked her mother Martina Wells Casey and Carrick Lions Club for organising the 5K walk and The Strand for hosting refreshments afterwards.
She also thanked Connor’s Bar, Main Street for hosting a quiz night, Comeragh College that ran a bake sale, Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire for its Féile le Hannah, Carrick United and Piltown AFC for organising a match, St Molleran's GAA Club for hosting a coffee morning, The Auld Rogue that ran a raffle, Carrick Handball club, which donated the proceeds of its 50/50 draw, a local after school club and Eileen Maher who ran 50/50 raffles.
An upcoming fundraiser is A Night with the Stars variety show for Hannah at the Carraig Hotel on August 15. It is being organised by Mala Raggett and a local committee.
Janice says in a few months Hannah will have a home that is safe, accessible and built around her needs where she can continue to regain her independence and keep achieving the milestones that once seemed impossible.
“Hannah’s journey has shown us that even in life’s darkest moments, hope can still shine through. Her courage inspires us every day, and with the continued support of our wonderful community, we know her story is far from over.”
Anyone wishing to donate directly to the campaign should log onto the Help Hannah Rebuild Life After Catastrophic Stroke GoFundMe Page.
1. Hannah Bracken Fundraising Campaign
Helen O'Dwyer, Alice Hunt and Hannah's grandmother Martina Wells-Casey and Hannah Bracken seated at the start of the sponsored 5km walk at Castle Park in Carrick | Anne Marie Magorrian