Irish Toddler Sergio Returns Home From Nine Months Of Operations In US With “A Chance At Life”

The dad of a brave young Irish boy has told how a miracle treatment has given his boy a chance at life.

Dad Donal O’Connor flew home from Boston with his son Sergio on Wednesday after seeing the toddler undergo nine months of specialist operations in Boston.

Himself and his wife Rosa couldn't contain their excitement when the 23-month-old greeted his twin brother Tadhg with a big smile at the Crumlin Children’s Hospital, the Irish Sun reports.

 “We can’t wait to bring our smiley baby home to live with the rest of his family for the very first time,” dad Donal said.

“Since his birth in March 2011 Sergio has been confined to hospitals. Now we hope he can live a relatively normal life with Tadhg.”

Little Sergio was born with a rare digestive tract disorder that prevented him from breathing and swallowing properly.

With no treatment available in Ireland, the O’Connors, from Donnycarney, Dublin, were forced to fundraise for the trip to the States.

The toddler flew out to Boston last July, and spent his first six weeks there in an induced coma as docs tried to stimulate growth of his oesophagus.

Now Sergio can breathe independently and his specialists are hopeful further procedures will allow him to eat normally too.

“The whole time was an emotional rollercoaster. Being able to breathe on his own has meant a major improvement to the quality of his life,” Donal explained.

“He is now into a new phase of his life and, with the support of the staff of Crumlin Hospital, will continue to make progress.”

Telling how the his traditional music community and others had rallied behind his son, Donal added: “We can’t say thanks enough for everyone’s help and support.”