A Dublin amputee is attempting to raise funds to get to Australia for a surgery that will allow her to walk again.
Ballyfermot native Caroline McGrane told Dublin Live she "wants nothing more than to walk her dog again".
And the osseointegration surgery down under is her last hope after suffering through many years of deadly infections, multiple knee replacements, and other procedures since one fateful morning in 2002 when she couldn't get out of bed.
She said: “There’s a beautiful park across from my house and when I look at it, it sounds awful and negative. I loved watching people walking their dogs, babies, people holding hands and I thought that’d be me.
“Years on, nothing has happened so I look at the park and I don't see any joy in it. I just want to do the simple things, cross the road with my dog, go to the park.
"I'm dependent everywhere I go, I have my motility bike but I can't go grocery shopping, I can’t do anything.
“It’s hard but I'm very positive, I live the best way I can and take joy out of simple things. I'm not terminal, I'm not dying but it’s just my independence and my freedom, it’s like being handcuffed to a wheelchair everyday.”
But to get the life-changing treatment, Caroline needs to see a specialist in Australia.
She continued: “He’s the only one who can do it and it’s very expensive.
"The surgery costs a lot of money, the prosthetic leg is expensive and I’ll have to stay in Australia for six to eight weeks.
“The doctor told me that I will be walking on the plane going home to Ireland, they’re the nicest words I've ever heard, it’s like someone singing a song to me.”
Caroline originally felt ashamed for asking for help - but she could lose any possibility of walking again forever if she waits any longer.
She said: “My femur has had no weight on it and it’s deteriorating.
"I waited so long but I felt a bit embarrassed, it’s so personal.
“We needed photos and anytime I get them taken I always ask for them to be taken above the limb, I don't want people seeing that so at half ten at night I'd get dressed up and get pictures taken. I don’t even like the photos but it was a rush. It was hard for me to do it.
“I'll fight a battle over there, there’ll be a lot of rehab, a big surgery and I'll be away from my family.
"But I want to get there so bad, the pope kissed the ground here years ago and that’s what I’ll do when I get to Australia.
“There’s nothing in this country for amputees, it’s a wall of silence. I set up Amputee Ireland and beyond , it’s for families who have amputees and it’s a great support group, they’re great.”
You can donate to Caroline's Go Fund Me here.
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