Patrick Haren pictured with his carer Sinead Maguire
DERRYGONNELLY STUDENT Patrick Haren took his first steps into big school on Friday, finally joining his classmates at St Mary’s High School, Brollagh.
The 12-year-old’s attendance at school had been in doubt due to budget cuts, but thanks to his mother’s persistence and money being released by the Department of Education construction work was carried out at the school and a proud Patrick was in his seat on Friday morning.
Patrick was diagnosed with severe ‘scoliosis’ as well as ‘kyphosis’ when he was young leaving him with a condition in which his spine is at an angle of over 100 rather than 180 degrees. In order for him to attend St Mary’s work had to be carried out at the school to install hand rails, wheelchair ramps and a special changing room.
With funding initially not available for this work it took the persistence of mother Wendy to ensure Patrick would join his brother Declan at the school.
Speaking to the Herald this week mum Wendy admitted it was an emotional day when she left Patrick off for his first day.
“I was good, I didn’t cry until I got into the car. He just looked so small in his uniform and I was absolutely petrified, but he was OK. Sinead, his carer, she’s lovely and he had his dinner with his big brother, so Declan is keeping an eye on him.
“He was very, very quiet leaving, but I was a mess all the way home. At half 12 I rang Mr Quigley to see how he was getting on, but he told me he was grand. He fell asleep in the car on the way home and was absolutely exhausted by the evening. So it will take him a while to get back into the swing of things.”
She continued: “He loved it though and the children were delighted to see him at school. He had maths and did well in his numeracy so it was great.”
It has been quite a journey for Patrick, a previous student at Killyhommon Primary School, Boho and as his mother pointed out, Friday marked another important milestone in his young life.
“When he was first born they told me he wouldn’t see his first birthday and now he’s 13 in a few weeks. To get him to primary school was a milestone on its own, let alone going to secondary school. He’s a little miracle.”
St Mary’s principal Michael Quigley was delighted to welcome Patrick, who will initially attend scholl on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm.
He added: “Hopefully this is the start of a good news story, rather than the end of it.”
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