‘Beautiful little girl’ from Carlow in ‘desperate’ need of life-changing surgery

A “beautiful little girl” from Carlow is in “desperate” need of life-changing surgery, the Dáil has heard.

The situation of Roxanne Kelly (7) was raised by Sinn Féin Carlow-Kilkenny TD Natasha Newsome-Drennan in the Dáil recently.

Deputy Newsome-Drennan said: “I want to raise with the Minister the urgent case of Roxanne.

“She is suffering with a range of complex medical issues, including the onset of scoliosis. Over 2024 and 2025, Roxanne has undergone three operations at a cost of nearly €200,000, all of which has been paid for by family-run fundraisers.

“I ask that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health urgently review Roxanne's case and assist this beautiful little girl in accessing the life-changing surgery she desperately deserves.

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“We have sent on the details of the case to the Minister. Her family cannot be expected to keep fundraising for this to cover the cost.”

In response to Deputy Newsome-Drennan, Minister Darragh O’Brien said that he would pass on the details to the Minister for Health Jennifer Carol MacNeill.

Minister O’Brien stated: “I thank the Deputy for raising the case of Roxanne and the situation she is in. I will raise it directly with the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

“The deputy has said she has corresponded with the minister. I thank Deputy Newsome Drennan for raising it here.

“I will speak to the minister directly post this and make sure that she responds directly to the deputy and to the family.”

Roxanne was born with a disability called arthrogryposis, a rare condition which her family say affects “every aspect of her life”.

She cannot walk, crawl, sit or feed herself because of her condition. She rolls on the floor at home to play and has a customised power wheelchair to get around when outside.

She is described as “extremely intelligent and energetic” and goes to school in Gaelscoil Carlow along with her twin brother, Curtis.

Roxanne has been under the care of Temple Street Children’s Hospital since birth.

Her family say that although the care they have provided has helped her, she has been on a waiting list for surgery on her legs and hips for five years.

“This becomes more difficult the older she gets. We believe her needs are too complex and she is not getting the care she needs here in Ireland,” they stated.