Katie makes progress in US
Little Katie Maguire has stolen the hearts of health workers in her new found American home.
By Connla Young
The sick child’s baby charm has captured the hearts of hardened health professionals as she battles to overcome her sickness.
Katie suffers from a rare form of epilepsy and can’t see, smile or swallow.
And last week residents in Glenview village, where Katie now lives with her parents Gary McCann and Mekila Maguire, turned out to a welcome party threw in the sick tot’s honour.
Dad Gary says Katie’s progress has been remarkable since she started treatment at Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital earlier this month.
“Everything is going well for Katie,” he said. “She is in great form and it’s along time since we saw her in this form. They have tweaked her medication and she has become more alert. She is more like a baby now, if you put her down she squeals and her wee eyes are starting to focus. The improvement since doctors here saw her has been great. We are waiting on dates for more tests at the minute.
She is starting physiotherapy today and tomorrow starts speech and language therapy.”
A recent welcome party for Omagh baby Billy Caldwell, who is also being treated in Chicago, doubled as a welcome party for Katie.
“It was great and the president of the village where we live, Kerry D Cummins, came along to welcome us. Things are going well and we would like to thank everyone again for all their help and support in raising the £250,000 we need for treatment.”
