All-Ireland hurling heroes make special visit to home of wheelchair user Alex, 12
The family’s current routine involves carrying Alex multiple times a day between rooms, onto a stairlift, and up and down stairs due to the absence of a downstairs toilet or bedroom
ALL-IRELAND-hurlers Cian Lynch and Diarmaid Byrnes have paid a special visit to Alex Heaney, 12, a child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Alex’s stepfather, Keith Higgins, shared the news on social media, saying:
“It's not often you can say you've played chess against and beaten an All-Ireland winner while it was supervised by another. Alex got a visit from Cian Lynch and Diarmaid Byrnes, the lads spent almost an hour chatting about everything from the plans for the house, to hurling, to school and then signed some tops and hurleys. Absolute legends.
“Once his room is ready, he has decided to frame Cian's signed top with the signature and put it right up there. Thanks to both the lads for dropping in to say hi.”
A team of local tradespeople are carrying out major accessibility works at Alex’s family home. The planned works include alterations to the entrance of the house and a side extension with Alex's own room and a wheelchair accessible ensuite bathroom.
Speaking to Limerick Live, Keith said the works are “going great” and that the floor was poured on Tuesday morning. “Just waiting now for it to dry and then the block layer is out next week to start building up the walls.”
Alex, from Patrickswell, just turned five when he was diagnosed with Duchenne. The disease is characterised as causing progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to a type of protein leaking from tears in muscles. has been a full-time wheelchair user for the past two years.
The family’s current routine involves carrying Alex multiple times a day between rooms, onto a stairlift, and up and down stairs due to the absence of a downstairs toilet or bedroom. Both parents work, and the physical demands of lifting their growing son have begun to take a toll.