Sean Holland with Chief supt David Sheahan and Paul O'Connell Staff reporter
A family who was advised to let their seriously-ill infant son die in hospital rather than bring him home, has spoken of the joy he gave them through 15 years of life with them after confounding doctors’ predictions.
Seán Holland, who died last month, was given just two years to live when he was diagnosed with the rare brain formation disorder Lissencephaly and a consultant doctor told his parents Pearl and John: “Get on with your lives. Leave Seán in hospital.”
The couple, however, instead brought their son to their home in Herbertstown, Co. Limerick, where they cared for him through 15 years, during which, according to Mr Holland at a eulogy given at Seán’s funeral Mass last month, they “built a life of memories that no one can take”.
Fr Roy Donovan said at the funeral that the love of Seán’s parents and sister had kept him alive. “It was sheer love,” he said, “They said he was the most kissed child in the whole world because he was so lovable. His smile was so disarming.”
Although Seán suffered from a range of serious ailments, he continued fighting for life, travelling with his family to Disneyland on several occasions and even being a mascot for the Munster rugby team in Thomond Park.
Claiming that Seán had been an inspiration, Mr Holland said “It’s not a bad legacy for a 15-year-old boy who was told he would never live.”