After a week of silence from political leaders, Liz Hanlon is taking her son's case to the President.
Doochary mother Liz Hanlon has set out to end the ‘disgraceful’ delays suffered by her son Jason who urgent needs a spinal operation.
The Hanlon family were forced to bring their case to mainstream media last week as they battle to get Jason (26) the surgery he needs to fix his scoliosis before the winter.
Jason’s vital operation to fix the curvature of his spine has been put back on two occasions at Tallaght Hospital. He cannot go through another winter because of fears of infection, his family say, as they seek an end to his daily torture of extreme pain.
Liz has tried to contact Health Minister Simon Harris as well as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to highlight her son’s plight, but to no avail.
Liz was named Donegal Carer of the Year in 2016 and met Michael D Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain. Now, she is pinning her hopes on the President to show compassion and influence on the case.
Liz said she would give her Carer of the Year Award back straight away if it meant her son getting his operation. She is now planning to contact the President’s office.
Liz told Donegal Daily: “I’m hoping he (President Higgins) may remember us and I’m hoping he can do something for us. He was a very understanding man and I simply want to show him how an operation would change Jason’s life forever.
“He is still in so much pain and every day it is getting worse. We really need to get somebody to make a decision on this for us before it is too late for Jason. He cannot face another winter going through this pain,” she said.
Liz recalls the day of celebration in 2016 when she was honoured as an inspirational carer: “We had a lovely day meeting President Higgins and he was very understanding to Jason’s situation. It was great meeting him and he spoke about Donegal and how he loved there.
“He commended us for looking after Jason and it was lovely to get such compliments even though we would never look for them because Jason is our life.
“But I think back on that day and think to where we are now and how Jason has basically been forgotten about. It’s an absolute disgrace.”
Jason is cared for by his loving family including sister Aine and brother Adrian, a former Donegal GAA star.
Aine said she will never give up on her brother and his quest for his operation.
She posted on Facebook “I cannot express how upset, angry and disheartened me and my family are. How anyone could neglect this little face is beyond me. I feel physically sick that my brother is just left to suffer in excruciating pain, and basically left to die, left to rot.
Aine added: “It is simple, this boy needs surgery and he needs it now! I beg the health system to get in contact with my family and give us a date. If anything happens to Jason, the health system will be accountable, I demand answers.”