A signed Dublin jersey is up for grabs to help fund a life-changing operation for 'miracle-baby' TJ Needham.
The little girl's parents had been previously been told to plan her funeral as she was not expected to live past a few weeks. Claire McDaid and her partner Jay Needham received devastating news at Claire's 30-week scan, when they were told that their daughter TJ would not ever be able to live a normal life.
They were told they should strongly consider going to England to terminate the pregnancy. But two years later, TJ is thriving - and is now hoping to get treatment in Hungary so that she can walk unaided. The little girl from Stoneybatter has Spina Bifida, but her enthusiasm and positive nature is infective.
Read more: Fundraiser launched to get 'miracle baby' life-changing treatment after parents told to plan funeral
The family now hope that TJ can get her operation before Christmas with fundraising efforts in full swing. Her parents are organising a draw, in conjunction with the Dublin GAA Fans FB page , for a signed Dubs jersey, which has kindly been donated by the County Board. All donations will be entered into the draw.
Claire previously told Dublin Live that TJ is a courageous little girl that doesn't let anything stand in her way.
She said: "At 30 weeks I was told to go for an abortion in England.
"I was offered that. I was told that she would have a low quality of life. I was planning her funeral basically. They said she could have been deformed. It was a very bad time.
"They told her that she wouldn't be able to walk or move her legs, but of course she's sitting up by now. She's trying to crawl and move her legs.
"In Ireland we are 10-15 years behind in terms of treatment. They just handed us a wheelchair.
"I got in contact with the Peto Institute in Hungary. They only accept people that they think they can work with, and they have accepted TJ.
"But TJ has to get a series of operations before she can get physical therapy."
You can enter the draw for the stunning jersey here.
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