Adam Burke, who suffered a stroke during a GAA match in 2016, is just 21-years-old and needs your help.
These words, taken from Adam Burke’s official fundraising page, sums up what happened to the 21-year-old from Kildare during a match for Two Mile House GAA club on 20 July 2016.
“Imagine one minute you are in the fullness of your health playing a sport you love with teammates you grew up with. Then, two weeks later, you wake up in an ICU, paralysed throughout your right-hand side, lines and tubes coming out of everywhere, breathing with oxygen support, being fed through a tube and you are not able to speak.
“Adam Burke woke up in a living nightmare.”
Over a year later, Adam has paralysis of his right hand and arm, weakness of his right leg, increased fatigue and the stroke also caused severe damage to his language and speech skills.
After spending months in recuperation, Adam finally regained the ability to walk – remarkable considering the severity of his illness – but he still has a long way to go.
Donate to Adam’s GoFundMe page here
Adam’s parents, siblings – he is the youngest of seven – and friends have put together a massive fundraising effort to help him fund his extensive therapy to come. It is expected that Adam’s treatment will cost as much as €1,000,000.
According to the site Run for Adam Burke, he “requires physiotherapy to keep his right side supple especially his right arm and hand. With advances in medicine and technology, there are aids and robotics available to help improve the function in his right arm and hand. Ongoing physiotherapy will also help Adam’s leg which is still weaker than his left side.
“Intensive Speech and Language Therapy blocks are required to help Adam. Improvements in speech would help Adam to participate in everyday life while enhancing his quality of life and confidence.”
Some of the biggest names in the GAA
An event has also been organised for Adam, and you won’t want to miss it.
The Family Fun Run For Adam Burke will take place at Two Mile House GAA Club in Naas at 4pm on Saturday 30th September with 5km & 10km options suitable for all abilities.
This will be followed by a BBQ/Music and then a Celebrity GAA Panel at 8pm hosted by Marty Morrissey with guests Davy Fitzgerald, Joe Brolly, Michael Duignan and Tomás Ó Sé.
Tickets for the full event cost just €25 and you can register here.
If you can’t make it along on the day, you can donate to Adam’s fund here.
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