Monaghan 12-year-old Daire Gorman is back in the spotlight after his appearance on "The Big Life Fix" TV programme. The sixth class pupil from Tonniscoffey has Cromellin Syndrome, which means he has no arms from the elbow down and no femur bones in his legs. None of this has stopped Daire from beating the odds to be largely independent. In recent years, however, constant pain in his feet has meant gaming has become more difficult and writing with his shoulder and mouth has meant it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with written work in school.
Daire is an honorary Guard, got to meet Jurgen Klopp and team members of his beloved Liverpool FC and earlier this month, he was invited to meet his heroes of the Irish rugby team. Last night, he featured on RTÉ as he was matched with a team of engineers who were tasked with designing a device that would make schoolwork and his homework more manageable. Filmed two years ago, at his Monaghan home and St. Oliver's Plunkett NS, once again Daire's positivity and determination shone through.
His mother Shelley told Northern Sound the new device has changed all their lives: "The device has been brilliant," Shelley said, "The gaming is brilliant for Daire, kind of like a release in the evenings if he's had a stressful day at school, or whatever, he can just go into his room and play his X-Box until he feels he's done and thenm, fpor the homework and making music and y'know just releasing some some stress if he's banging drums."
