A Kildare mother has issued an emotional appeal, after the HSE refused to issue a medical card to her nine-year-old daughter who is suffering from cancer.
Angela O’Connor has revealed that she feels “let down” after the health authority rejected an application from daughter Lucy, who is currently battling the life-threatening illness at Crumlin Hospital.
She said that she has been forced to give up work to support Lucy through her treatment and called on HSE bosses to spend a day at the Dublin hospital to see the extent of what these children are going through.
“I haven’t worked since Sept 2014, as she needs round the clock care and is unable to be left alone in hospital. I also got a letter from our health insurance saying Crumlin are claiming everything from them, despite the fact she is entitled to health care for free.
“There is a shortfall which we will now have to pay. Her wig alone cost €850. This is covered if you have a medical card, actually you can claim for two wigs with a medical card. All of her medication we pay for. She will be on medication for at least another 12 months after treatment finishes,” she said.
“This is a life threatening illness. It is cancer, she has already faced surgery and yet here we are refused a medical card, refused anything really, there is nothing available if you are working and paying tax! It feels very unfair, paying TAX, PRSI, USC, into a system when you need it, it’s not there – that’s the sad part.”
“Am I supposed to put up all the scars on her body as evidence of her treatment? The surgeries she has endured over the past five months? It is so difficult to watch your child battle this life threatening illness, yet you are made to beg and go public in order to get help of some sort?”
You can follow Angela’s blog here.
