Boxing Day swim for Dublin three-year-old with cerebral palsy

Andre was diagnosed with cerebral palsy just before his first birthday. He suffers from muscle stiffness and uses a wheelchair. He has no right hand function. He also has epilepsy and takes anti-seizure medication as well as being visually impaired.

Mum Kirsty Diaso, 38, who lives in Balbriggan said: ‘Despite Andres complex needs, he is the happiest little boy, full of fun and smiles. He brightens up a room with his cheeky laugh and loves a party. He’s also currently obsessed with cars!’

The family and their supporters have recently raised funds for a 32,000 euro bed for Andre, as well as therapies both in Ireland and the Olinek Centre in Poland. They are now continuing to raise funds to take Andre back to Poland, as well as adaptations to their house.

Andre’s dad Anthony Diano, 42, a retail account manager at Google, recently slipped a disc in his back carrying Andre up the stairs.

Kirsty continued: ‘As Andre grows helping him to move around becomes harder! Plus we would like him to have more independence – if he wants to go to his room, he should be able to do so without always having to ask. So we would like to build a downstairs bedroom and wet room for him, and ideally install a stair lift.’

‘We’re also hoping to take him back to the Olinek Centre – the visits there have made such a difference to him. I credit them with getting him out of his chair and into a walking frame. Every time we’ve been he’s come on leaps and bounds.’

Anthony and Kirsty took part in a Boxing Day swim last year to raise funds, and this year will be joined by friends Jenny and Helen O’Neill, as well as the staff of The Barber Shop in Balbriggan, while Kirsty’s twin sister Rachel McCabe will also be taking part in her home town of Seaburn in England. 

Kirsty added: ‘The support of our friends and the community mean so much to us. Andre is now walking with a frame, thriving in preschool and swimming confidently. Every penny raised goes towards therapies which help him live his very best life, as independently and comfortable as possible.’

‘My husband was initially hesitant about asking for help with fundraising, but joining Tree of Hope has been life-changing for us all and made such a difference to Andre.’

The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope, which helps families raise money for children and young people like Andre for medical treatments and healthcare services not freely available to them through the NHS or HSE and social care. The charity provides fundraising guidance, campaign development, financial management, charity registration and emotional support from the Family Support team. Families like Andre’s benefit from gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance. 

To find out more about Andre or contribute to his fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/get-involved/childrens-campaigns/enabling-andre/ or https://www.justgiving.com/page/anthony-diaso-1