One brave little Mullingar boy’s day was made last Wednesday, 24 October, when all the pupils and staff at his new school – St. Mary’s Primary School – donned red hats like his, to ensure that he didn’t feel different.
By Claire Corrigan
There was no hiding 6-year old Cormac Byrne’s wide smile when all his fellow students appeared at school wearing red hats just like the one he must wear every day, due to having had multiple brain surgeries. His smile grew wider still when he received a visit from one of his most favourite people, Garda Tomás Blake, who has been there for the young boy for several years.
While Cormac must use a mobility aid to get around, there was no stopping the young child as he made his way forward and spoke animatedly to Garda Blake about his dreams of becoming a Garda when he grows up.
Cormac’s devoted mother Geraldine Byrne, explained that her little boy has been battling a brain tumour since February 2014. “He started school here this year with Principal Bernie McVeigh, and Fiona McLoughlin-Cunningham is his SNA. The Community Gardai have been very involved with Cormac and are very good to him. They brought him in for his first day at school.”
Geraldine explained that Cormac underwent a series of serious surgeries earlier this year and that she was thrilled to see him get a chance to be around children of his own age. “This is the first chance that Cormac has got to be a kid. He’s had a very very tough summer and has had six brain surgeries in only 18 weeks. We are having ‘Red Hat Day’ because now he has done a few weeks in school and the kids are realising that he always wears his hat. Today is to show Cormac that he is not different.”
TWO HOURS A DAY
While the little boy can only manage two hours a day, Geraldine said he greatly enjoys coming to school. “The big thing for him is walking in the school gate in the morning and walking up the steps. He loves it. He is only there for two hours and he is wiped out after that. As you can see he is smiling from ear to ear. He has such a bond with Fiona. The school itself understand how medically complicated Cormac’s situation is, but they don’t look at that, they look at him as any other child. It’s the first time he has been able to get out of the hospital environment.”
She particularly praised the Mullingar Community Policing Unit members, who have gone out of their way to be there for the little boy and to uplift his spirits in any way possible throughout his treatment.
“They call on the phone, they visit him. Garda Blake, Garda Neil Donnellan and Garda Fiona Walsh are literally a text or phone call away when he’s not feeling well in hospital or at home. They will arrive at the door and turn the sirens on. He has his full uniform and Chief Superintendent Peter Duff issued him an epaulette and it’s KC1 which stands for “King Cormac”. He wakes up and kicks ass everyday but now he doesn’t have to. He’s allowed to be just a kid – play, talk, love. He knows everything about a hospital environment but doesn’t know how to play and wind down, but the likes of Tomás brings the best out of him and brings the little boy out of him.”
Cormac’s teacher, Jennifer Stephens revealed that Cormac joined the school on 5 October and has settled in really well. “All the children are making friends with him and he has made loads of friends. Today is about showing Cormac that he’s the same as them,” she said.
All in St. Mary’s, staff and fellow pupils, wish him nothing but the best.
