Health

Adam Terry (10) had ‘successful’ scoliosis surgery after four-year long wait

Mother confirms boy had operation in Crumlin after appeal in Dáil

Family handout photo of Adam Terry (10) from Whitechurch, Co Cork

Olivia Kelleher
Fri Oct 29 2021 - 20:10

Ten-year-old Adam Terry, who has been waiting years for scoliosis surgery, has undergone a successful surgery at Crumlin children's hospital in Dublin on Friday morning.

His mother Christine confirmed the development and said later that the surgery had succeeded in straightening his spine.

His case was brought to public attention on the day of the Government budget announcement when the boy, from Whitechurch in Co Cork, detailed his four-year wait for surgery on Claire Byrne's RTÉ radio show.

In the interview he described his pain as “almost paralysing” and admitted he felt as if he was at “the bottom of the barrel”.

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“I have moments now and then where I start crying . . . every day I have less abilities. Nobody is coming out to find me in the lost and found. To be honest, sometimes I feel like I’m crying myself to sleep because it’s so unfair. It just makes me angry and frustrated and sad,” he said.

Adam was first diagnosed with spinal issues when he was 18 months old, has had 21 procedures and is a full-time wheelchair user. He is one of more than 170 waiting for surgery.

His condition had deteriorated hugely as he waited for the surgery which will address a severe curvature of the spine.

His mother told the show of his struggles including having to call an ambulance in recent weeks such was the severity of his pain.

“He’s in bed all day. He can’t get up. He can’t function. He was screaming in pain and that was really, really hard.

“The chest cavity is now making direct contact with the pelvis, so you have bone on bone. Adam was in so much pain. I was so worried about what was happening internally.

“And the worry of what is actually going on inside. What could happen. That’s very hard to deal with; watching your beautiful child suffer. He has a rare heart condition, and his spine is now impacting his lungs and his stomach.”

The situation faced by Adam was raised in the Dáil by Labour leader Alan Kelly. Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed he had spoken on two occasions to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, on the issue.

“Adam has gone through a lot and I am very clear that he needs to have that operation as soon as possible.”

Adam received a provisional date for surgery of October 29th. His mother Christine told the Today with Claire Byrne show on Friday that he was being prepped for surgery. She later confirmed that the operation was a success.

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