'Inspirational' boy who lost both legs celebrated as a 'superhero'

1 hour ago

Keiron TourishNorth-west reporter, BBC News NI

News image — Dáibhin had to have both his legs amputated last year

BBC Dáibhin McConnell-Mailey, a four-year-old boy with short, blond hair, smiles at the camera while sitting on an inflatable red slide. He is wearing a grey and red superhero costume. — Dáibhin had to have both his legs amputated last year

Just over a year ago, four-year-old Dáibhin's life changed when he was rushed to hospital with a high temperature.

Doctors discovered he had sepsis, and a month later he needed a double amputation.

Now, fitted with prosthetic limbs, he is enjoying playing with his nursery classmates.

"I love my superhero legs and all my friends," he said. "They're amazing!"

At the end of term, Dáibhin's school dedicated a day to him, with his classmates dressing up as superheroes in his honour.

His mum, Gemma McConnell, said he had the time of his life enjoying lemonade and cake and playing in the bouncy castles in his own superhero outfit.

But in May last year she thought her world was falling apart when Dáibhin woke up with a temperature she couldn't bring down.

Gemma McConnell, a woman with long, straight brown hair, pushing her four-year-old son Dáibhin on a swing in a playpark on a sunny day. She is standing behind her son, wearing sun glasses on her head. He is smiling and wearing a beige t-shirt adorned by yellow and brown dinosaur motifs. There are houses and vehicles in the background. — Dáibhin's mother Gemma said she feared her son was going to die at one point during his illness

"We took him to A&E and his arm started going purple," she said.

"A doctor then told us that he needed to go to resuscitation."

Dáibhin was put on life support in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where doctors said he had sepsis.

It was caused by meningococcal disease, a serious bacterial infection which most commonly affects children under five.

Meningococcal bacteria causes most childhood cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia in the UK and Ireland.

"At one stage we thought we were going to lose him," McConnell said.

"It was frightening thinking that he could die.

"We were told to get our family and the priest to the hospital. He was given loads of transfusions."

In June, Dáibhin had a double amputation. His mum said she was glad he was alive but it was a very difficult time.

'It doesn't bother him at all'

But since then, Dáibhin has got on with life - and started nursery as planned last September.

"He just flies about. It doesn't bother him at all," McConnell said. "He loves school and all his friends."

She added that his friends included him in everything - and he was "really excited" for the day dedicated to him at school, Steelstown Primary in Londonderry.

She said it was "an amazing idea" and she was grateful for the support her son had received.

"It's unbelievable. He loved every moment.

"To think at one stage we thought we were going to lose him when he was on life support. I was really afraid."

Now, Dáibhin is heading for Primary One in September and "can't wait".

Dáibhin McConnell-Mailey sitting on a children's swing in a playpark on a sunny day. He is smiling at the camera and wearing a beige t-shirt adorned by yellow and brown dinosaur motifs and brown shorts. He has two prosthetic legs and is wearing white croc shoes. — Dáibhin's school paid tribute to his courage and resilience following the operation

School principal, Catherine Dourish, said that few could have imagined what would happen to Dáibhin.

"In May last year, he was a happy, healthy little boy eagerly looking forward to starting nursery," she said.

"Then, in a moment, life changed dramatically as he became seriously ill and faced a long and challenging road through hospital treatment, major surgery, double amputation, skin grafts, countless appointments, physiotherapy sessions, and many trips over the Glenshane to the Royal Hospital.

"Through it all, he never once complained."

She said the schoolboy was supported by the "love, prayers and encouragement of his family, friends, school and wider community".

"From his very first day, he was determined that nothing would hold him back," she added.

"He embraced every opportunity, eager to experience all that nursery life had to offer."

'A legacy of courage'

Catherine Dourish, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, stands in a classroom smiling at the camera. She is wearing a brown blouse and colourful earrings. There are wooden desks with multi-coloured seats in the background. — Principal Catherine Dourish said Dáibhin's positivity had "inspired everyone"

Dáibhin even had a special sand, water and activity table created for him so he could participate in his favourite activities.

Dourish said "one of the most emotional moments of the year" was watching him take some of his first steps in nursery using his frame.

"The pride on his face and the tears in ours reminded us all of the strength of the human spirit and what can be achieved through perseverance, faith and hope."

She said his positivity had "inspired everyone around him" and he would leave behind "a legacy of courage, strength and resilience".

"It is only fitting that at our Nursery Graduation he received the Resilient Star Award, recognising his refusal to give up, even when things were difficult.

"He has shown us all that obstacles can be overcome with determination, support and belief."