A 27-year-old Mayo woman is recovering from serious injuries sustained in a cycling accident last October. Geraldine Lavelle, Tullycommons, Castlebar, suffered a spinal fracture that left her paralysed from her chest down. Having spent several weeks in the Mater Hospital in Dublin, where she underwent major surgeries on her neck and spine, she is currently in the National Rehabilitation Hospital undergoing intensive rehabilitation. Now a major fundraising campaign has been launched to raise money for Geraldine’s recovery.
Geraldine is a recent graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway, having attained a first class honours MSc degree in neuroscience, as well as a first class Bachelor of Science honours undergraduate degree in physiology. She also a past pupil of St Joseph’s Secondary School Castlebar and St Peter’s National School Snugboro
Employed as a diagnostic technologist for Abbott Diagnostic Division in Longford, she is a keen fitness and sports person. Geraldine is a TEC qualified gym instructor, is highly passionate about many sporting activities including cycling, running, kickboxing, and yoga. The winner of gold and silver medals for kickboxing at the World Martial Arts Peace Games and World Championships in Italy, Geraldine is keen to continue maintaining an active sports life. Despite undergoing intensive rehabilitation, she participated at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital Games in England at the start of April and won a silver medal. As a testament to her strength of character, Geraldine was also awarded the 'Marchday Shield Award' at this competition. This award is presented to one competitor for 'overall outstanding achievement and endeavour' across all sporting events at these games.
Geraldine has consistently achieved beyond the expectations of her medical and physiotherapy team. She is achieving strides well above any medical expectations. Family and friends revealed “Ger’s determination and willpower is inspirational to see”. Refusing to accept her medical prognosis, she stated her number one goal is to walk again one day. In order to achieve this objective, Geraldine and her family are looking into innovative treatments and procedures internationally, which could further enhance her mobility and recovery.
In the meantime, Geraldine is keen to return to the life she had prior to her accident. However, this will require massive effort on her part in terms of intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy, specialised equipment and communications technology, as well as enormous physical, moral, and financial support.
Friends and family of Geraldine, in conjunction with support from political, media, sporting and business groups, have launched a special fundraising campaign. The first major fundraising event will be a social night, called A Midsummer’s Night Party for Geraldine, which is taking place in the Welcome Inn Hotel in Castlebar, on Saturday, June 21, at 9pm. Tickets for this event are on sale now. Contact fundraising committee members, Phyl Durkan (086 ) 1510092 or Paula Sheridan (087 ) 7795898, for further details on tickets. Alternatively email the fundraising committee on [email protected] or contact them on Facebook at facebook.com/thegeraldinelavelletrust
