Going on a Disney vacation is a magical experience for millions of people. Disney Parks seem to have magical moments waiting around every corner. Sadly, for one family from County Cork, Ireland, their Disney vacation of a lifetime quickly turned into a nightmare. The family was visiting Paris with the specific intention of visiting Disneyland Paris, among other sites. However, while eight-year-old Kevin O’Callaghan was playing in his hotel, he took a fall that landed him in the hospital. The family is now sharing that he is paralyzed.
Kevin’s family planned to visit Disneyland Paris as the Park celebrates its 30th Anniversary. The tragic story was reported by Cork Beo — who revealed that Kevin is now back home with his family. Per Cork Beo:
One of eight siblings, he had been enjoying the holiday of a lifetime having just visited the Eiffel Tower and the Parc des Princes football stadium, but later during the trip he fell in the soft play area of a hotel and lost all feeling in his body.
His sister Rachel, who is a 25-year-old Primary school teacher in Mallow, says that she and her mother immediately knew that something was very wrong.
She told CorkBeo “Kevin is the sportiest little fella, he plays a lot of sport including hurling, football and soccer, so he’s taken a knock before. When he said he couldn’t feel anything after he hit the ground we initially thought it might be a concussion, but after he was taken to hospital for scans we knew something was seriously wrong.”
Kevin had suffered compression of the spine and neck, following an MRI he was rushed into emergency surgery. Only his mother Eilis was able to accompany him to hospital due to current Covid-19 regulations in France – she hasn’t left his side once in the last two weeks.
Doctors have been unable to tell whether Kevin’s paralysis is permanent. He is back home with his family, and they are working hard to get him all the physical therapy and care that he needs. The family has also started a GoFundMe to help offset his medical expenses. Even though he has suffered a life-altering injury, he has not lost his positive spirit. One of Kevin’s sisters says that he is still the “funny, caring boy” his family has always known.
Join us in sending a heartfelt wish for Kevin to make a full recovery.
