Tipperary boy has Christmas 'miracle' after receiving a new kidney

Nine-year-old Finn O’Shea is about to celebrate his own Christmas miracle after getting his dream present – a kidney transplant.

It will be the first Christmas in years that Finn, from Clonmel, will be free from having to hook up to a kidney dialysis machine thanks to the generosity of a donor family who lost a loved one.

He had his kidney transplant last February in Temple Street Hospital in Dublin and the sports-loving youngster has been making up for lost time.

Finn was born with underdeveloped kidneys and for the last two years, he was connected to a dialysis machine throughout the night for 10 hours at a time, for six out of seven nights.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, his mother Lisa, an art therapist, said: “His childhood has been marked with frequent hospital visits to Crumlin and Temple Street with plenty of overnight stays there and numerous medical challenges.

“He missed out on so much of a normal early childhood and lengthy absences from school and spending time with kids of his own age. Even though he couldn’t enjoy playing, he loved supporting his dream team Manchester United on TV and has enjoyed watching hurling and football.”

Last February the family got the call that a donor organ had become available and it turned out to be the right match, allowing doctors in Temple Street to go ahead with the successful transplant.

It also marked a turning point for his family, including his father Eoin and older brother Rian (18), who had to coordinate their daily plans to ensure Finn remained well.

“He struggled to keep food down and regular sickness and tiredness was the norm. A kidney donor has literally changed his life,” said Lisa.

“His recovery post-transplant has been remarkable. He is now back at school enjoying spending time with his friends. His Dad, who was his main carer, has returned to work as a postman.

“Just six months after his transplant he was a mascot for his team, Manchester United, when they played against Athletic Bilbao at the Aviva Stadium.

“His bedroom was once like a hospital with his dialysis machine, but now it is decorated with photos of his sporting heroes.

“When Finn was called for his transplant, Rian just got on with the task of sitting his mock Leaving Cert exams while the family rallied around his younger brother. It makes you aware of the silent sacrifices made by the siblings of sick children.

“But the ultimate selfless sacrifice is that which organ donor families make to help families like ours and we will never forget their ‘gift of life’.

“It is a two-and-a-half hour journey from our home to Temple Street Hospital and having free accommodation proved by the Irish Kidney Association certainly helped to ease the burden.”