Housing Crisis: Dying Boy (6) cant get liver transplant as he is homeless

Mr.McLovin · 28-11-2014 01:42PM #1

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/homeless-and-awaiting-a-liver-transplant-charlie-6-says-i-just-want-a-house-for-christmas-30779509.html

Helen Lynch, from Tullamore, Co Offaly, told Independent.ie yesterday that her son Charlie (6) is in the final stages of liver failure and will die without a transplant.

Ms Lynch, her social worker and a consultant at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, have all appealed to Offaly County Council to find the family a home.

At the moment, the family is staying with Ms Lynch's mother, who is in ill health, making the home unsuitable.

And his mother says it is proving impossible to convince any landlord to accept rent allowance, while there are 1,800 on the social housing waiting list in Offaly.

It’s hard to think that his life could be taken just for the sake of a house," Ms Lynch said.

Puts panicking over a frozen doll into perspective!

Hope to god they get housed and the little boy gets the transplant, if I win the tonight's lotto I'd buy them a house

El_Dangeroso · 28-11-2014 01:46PM

Why can't they use the mother's address?

Something tells me the full facts aren't apparent here, which in the indo, is par for the course.

seamus · 28-11-2014 01:48PM

So I understand the need for a home address - when a liver becomes available, they need to be able to contact the family and pick up the child as quickly as possible to come in.

But that doesn't explain why they can't use the mother's address. It's where they're living right now. Surely people on the transplant list move home all the time and have to update the HSE with their address?

There are some facts missing here that the Indo are deliberately omitting for the sake of "news".

Edit: Aha, re-reading the article it's become clear that this is all complete lies.

The fact is that the child has first to undergo an assessment in London and then he will be placed on the transplant list.

A doctor has highlighted the fact that you need a permanent address in order to be placed on the list.

However nobody has refused to place this child on the transplant list or formally told the family they cannot put him on the list. I suspect when the chips are down, they can put down the mother's address and get on the list with no hassle.

Yes, this is a serious issue, this family needs housing ASAP. But it's not yet a matter of life and death for the child.

Shame on the Indo for this exploitative "journalism". Fncking crapmerchants of the highest order.

Mr.McLovin · 28-11-2014 01:55PM

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

Why can't they use the mother's address?

Something tells me the full facts aren't apparent here, which in the indo, is par for the course.

seamus wrote: »

So I understand the need for a home address - when a liver becomes available, they need to be able to contact the family and pick up the child as quickly as possible to come in.

But that doesn't explain why they can't use the mother's address. It's where they're living right now. Surely people on the transplant list move home all the time and have to update the HSE with their address?

There are some facts missing here that the Indo are deliberately omitting for the sake of "news".

Edit: Aha, re-reading the article it's become clear that this is all complete lies.

The fact is that the child has first to undergo an assessment in London and then he will be placed on the transplant list.

A doctor has highlighted the fact that you need a permanent address in order to be placed on the list.

However nobody has refused to place this child on the transplant list or formally told the family they cannot put him on the list. I suspect when the chips are down, they can put down the mother's address and get on the list with no hassle.

Yes, this is a serious issue, this family needs housing ASAP. But it's not yet a matter of life and death for the child.

Shame on the Indo for this exploitative "journalism". Fncking crapmerchants of the highest order.

I get what you're saying lads but surely the mother wouldn't be playing roulette with the child's life for the sake of trying to get a house!?!

SEPT 23 1989 · 28-11-2014 01:56PM

800 children made homeless this year

sad state of affairs

seamus · 28-11-2014 02:03PM

Mr.McLovin wrote: »

I get what you're saying lads but surely the mother wouldn't be playing roulette with the child's life for the sake of trying to get a house!?!

No, I'm not saying she is. It doesn't sound like she's refusing housing or anything like that.

What she's probably done is contact the indo in an attempt to get more publicity for her concern that she needs permanent accommodation immediately. I'd probably do the same in her shoes.

However the Indo have decided to turn this into a sensationalist, "Child is dying in the gutter because the HSE refuse to treat him" article, instead of reporting on facts. You know, like real journalists are supposed to do.

Potatoeman · 28-11-2014 02:04PM

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

800 children made homeless this year

sad state of affairs

There seem to be lots of parents unwilling to move to cheaper properties though. There seems to be a story ever few weeks where a family is homeless but part of the problem is their unwillingness to move somewhere else.

zl1whqvjs75cdy · 28-11-2014 02:06PM

Can we still call the indo writers journalists? The quality of the paper has fallen so far now that I wouldn't even use it to stuff my wet shoes. Its essentially FGs soap box with tabloid filler such as this in between.

mikemac1 · 28-11-2014 02:12PM

Mirror - the mother of three in Milltown, Dublin
Irish Times - that couple in the car in Jobstown
Indo - the young family in Offaly

The newspapers just love these stories, just three I read on boards in the last week

I'm wondering though, does pressuring your local authority in the media get you straight to the top of the housing list? So many examples, maybe it's an effective tactic?

shruikan2553 · 28-11-2014 02:12PM

Very few people seem to become homeless in Donegal, Galway, Cavan, <enter non near Dublin county here>

sbsquarepants · 28-11-2014 02:13PM

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

Can we still call the indo writers journalists? The quality of the paper has fallen so far now that I wouldn't even use it to stuff my wet shoes. Its essentially FGs soap box with tabloid filler such as this in between.

Have you caught a glimpse of the evening herald lately?

It makes the sunday world look like the New York Times. It's alarming what passes for a newspaper these days!

mikemac1 · 28-11-2014 02:16PM

shruikan2553 wrote: »

Very few people seem to become homeless in Donegal, Galway, Cavan, <enter non near Dublin county here>

It happens, the media don't care

There is no snow in Ireland until it gets to Dublin

LenaClaire · 28-11-2014 02:43PM

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

Why can't they use the mother's address?

Something tells me the full facts aren't apparent here, which in the indo, is par for the course.

seamus wrote: »

So I understand the need for a home address - when a liver becomes available, they need to be able to contact the family and pick up the child as quickly as possible to come in.

But that doesn't explain why they can't use the mother's address. It's where they're living right now. Surely people on the transplant list move home all the time and have to update the HSE with their address?

According to the article the grandmother is ill. This is a contraindication for most transplants as your immune system post transplant can be very weak. They will not allow a person with a compromised immune system stay with a sick person.

They will not put the child on the transplant list until they are sure that it won't be a waste of an organ. If the child is going back to a non-optimal place post surgery, it could very well kill them just as much as a lack of transplant. The transplant team would rather give the organ to someone who has a better shot of surviving.

See here for more details - http://www.transplantliving.org/after-the-transplant/staying-healthy/infections-and-immunity/

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 28-11-2014 02:59PM

Family well known in that town, feel so sorry for the child but there's more to that story that's being portrayed in the media.

suicide_circus · 28-11-2014 03:53PM

Using your child's liver failure to strong arm the state into giving you a free house quicker despite the fact that you are not in fact homeless and that it has no impact on the treatment he will receive? A new low.

Fuhrer · 28-11-2014 04:19PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Family well known in that town, feel so sorry for the child but there's more to that story that's being portrayed in the media.

Such as?

cletus van damme · 28-11-2014 04:24PM

LenaClaire wrote: »

According to the article the grandmother is ill. This is a contraindication for most transplants as your immune system post transplant can be very weak. They will not allow a person with a compromised immune system stay with a sick person.

They will not put the child on the transplant list until they are sure that it won't be a waste of an organ. If the child is going back to a non-optimal place post surgery, it could very well kill them just as much as a lack of transplant. The transplant team would rather give the organ to someone who has a better shot of surviving.

See here for more details - http://www.transplantliving.org/after-the-transplant/staying-healthy/infections-and-immunity/

This. I wish people actually read the article before commenting like most have been.
I don't know the in's and out's out seriously ill children but the article is clear that he cannot stay with family for health reasons.

Whether the family is well known is irrelevant - i'd rather we lost a house , he got a transplant and lived instead of playing smug fcukers on the internet.

Grayson · 28-11-2014 04:36PM

LenaClaire wrote: »

According to the article the grandmother is ill. This is a contraindication for most transplants as your immune system post transplant can be very weak. They will not allow a person with a compromised immune system stay with a sick person.

They will not put the child on the transplant list until they are sure that it won't be a waste of an organ. If the child is going back to a non-optimal place post surgery, it could very well kill them just as much as a lack of transplant. The transplant team would rather give the organ to someone who has a better shot of surviving.

See here for more details - http://www.transplantliving.org/after-the-transplant/staying-healthy/infections-and-immunity/

It depends on what "ill" means. there's a lot of detail missing from the story.

Hopefully either they get a place or they are allowed on the list with their current accommodation.

the one thing i don't like about the story is the use of the phrase homeless. They're not homeless. They're living with her mum. It's possible they've never lived elsewhere.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 28-11-2014 04:38PM

cletus van damme wrote: »

Whether the family is well known is irrelevant - i'd rather we lost a house , he got a transplant and lived instead of playing smug fcukers on the internet.

Well it's not really playing "smug ****ers" on the Internet. I know if I was homeless and my child's life depended on it, I would be doing my best to find ANYTHING to get a roof over his head. Demanding a council house is clearly not working for her, but there ARE places to rent (clearly she's entitled to rent allowance). What I wouldn't do is refuse the councils temporary solution of housing them in a hostel/hotel (absolutely not ideal) but it's a better alternative to moving her sick child into a damp trailer on the side of the road.

You'd also wonder where the Childs father is in all this, why they lost their house in Clara and that social worker seems to be more friend of the family than acting as an assigned social worker.

Grayson · 28-11-2014 04:41PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Well it's not really playing "smug ****ers" on the Internet. I know if I was homeless and my child's life depended on it, I would be doing my best to find ANYTHING to get a roof over his head. Demanding a council house is clearly not working for her, but there ARE places to rent (clearly she's entitled to rent allowance). What I wouldn't do is refuse the councils temporary solution of housing them in a hostel/hotel (absolutely not ideal) but it's a better alternative to moving her sick child into a damp trailer on the side of the road.

You'd also wonder where the Childs father is in all this, why they lost their house in Clara and that social worker seems to be more friend of the family than acting as an assigned social worker.

the mums place is a trailer? fair enough, not a great place for any child, never mind a post op one.

i saw the phrase traveller mentioned. I'd imagine it would be hard enough to find someone willing to rent to them.

Graces7 · 28-11-2014 04:42PM

mikemac1 wrote: »

Mirror - the mother of three in Milltown, Dublin
Irish Times - that couple in the car in Jobstown
Indo - the young family in Offaly

The newspapers just love these stories, just three I read on boards in the last week

I'm wondering though, does pressuring your local authority in the media get you straight to the top of the housing list? So many examples, maybe it's an effective tactic?

No and I am sure they know that BUT maybe they think some generous rich person will take pity on them..

Graces7 · 28-11-2014 04:45PM

Just wondering if the local authority might have some input here given the Child Protection issue involved? There would be grounds.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 28-11-2014 04:56PM

Grayson wrote: »

the mums place is a trailer? fair enough, not a great place for any child, never mind a post op one.

i saw the phrase traveller mentioned. I'd imagine it would be hard enough to find someone willing to rent to them.

No she's claimimg to live in a damp trailer in Athy. and I'm not even sure what is/isn't allowed be said here, in relation to them but, no doubt the child is very sick but - the money she would get, I'd be doubtful that it's all put to good use. A picture says a thousand words and all that. That said, she seems to be a fantastic mother and really does seem to love those kids

cletus van damme · 28-11-2014 04:56PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Well it's not really playing "smug ****ers" on the Internet. I know if I was homeless and my child's life depended on it, I would be doing my best to find ANYTHING to get a roof over his head. Demanding a council house is clearly not working for her, but there ARE places to rent (clearly she's entitled to rent allowance). What I wouldn't do is refuse the councils temporary solution of housing them in a hostel/hotel (absolutely not ideal) but it's a better alternative to moving her sick child into a damp trailer on the side of the road.

You'd also wonder where the Childs father is in all this, why they lost their house in Clara and that social worker seems to be more friend of the family than acting as an assigned social worker.

It is smug the way people rush to judge her. the overiding thing is the kid is very sick and need a suitable place to stay - pre and post op.

I did wonder where the father was and in typical judgemental style I assumed he'd fcuked off to england, was in jail or drunk on a stool (delete as appropriate) but that didn't take away from the fact the kid needs help and to help with whatever is happening around.
I'm certainly not going to advocate letting a sick child go without for the sins of a parent.

you clearly know more about the social worker than the article states.
Rent allowance isn't always accepted and who cares why they lost the house in clara.

A kid is very sick and needs to

1. get on the list and get the appropriate care
2. have a safe secure place to stay.

Anything else beyond that is background fluff -

let the kid have the best chance possible to get better first and then judge the fcuk out of everybody.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 28-11-2014 05:05PM

I agree with you completely, he needs a home ASAP but the fact is she isn't trying to help herself or the child, and accepting even something temporary and I find this very bizzare that she has no interest in anything but a council house.

Graces7 · 28-11-2014 05:10PM

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

800 children made homeless this year

sad state of affairs

This does not mean what we understand by homeless; ie they are not out on the street. staying with relatives, in hotels or hostels..in temporary accommodation.

my friend · 28-11-2014 05:13PM

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

Why can't they use the mother's address?

Something tells me the full facts aren't apparent here, which in the indo, is par for the course.

Where's the sperm doner?

corner of hells · 28-11-2014 07:00PM

Graces7 wrote: »

This does not mean what we understand by homeless; ie they are not out on the street. staying with relatives, in hotels or hostels..in temporary accommodation.

Sleeping in hostels,.hotels or whatever temporary accommodation is provided comes under the criteria for being homeless according to the local authorities.Actual sleeping on the street is a rough sleeper.

Its quite possible she is registered as homeless and will have had a Housing Needs Assessment done by her local authority.

corner of hells · 28-11-2014 07:07PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

I agree with you completely, he needs a home ASAP but the fact is she isn't trying to help herself or the child, and accepting even something temporary and I find this very bizzare that she has no interest in anything but a council house.

Without doubt he needs a permanent home , however something temporary could be completely unsuitable for that child , I work in homeless services and to a degree I understand what that lady is doing , hostels , hotels , b and bs are just not suitable , I see women with children almost every month looking for accommodation so desperate that they present at hostels with active addicts , people with mental ill health etc looking for accommodation.

cassid · 28-11-2014 07:15PM

I noted from the article that the Offaly traveller movement were involved in her case, perhaps this is why landlords won't rent I don;t know, but can't the council secure private accommodation on the family's behalf if landlords were refusing accommodation for whatever reason.

Whatever about the family, this is just a little 6 year old boy that need help.

If he was mine and I could not get him on the transparent list because I had no accommodation , it would break my heart but I would put him into foster care so he can have the environment he needs for recouperation after the op.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 28-11-2014 07:20PM

cassid wrote: »

I noted from the article that the Offaly traveller movement were involved in her case, perhaps this is why landlords won't rent I don;t know, but can't the council secure private accommodation on the family's behalf if landlords were refusing accommodation for whatever reason.

Whatever about the family, this is just a little 6 year old boy that need help.

If he was mine and I could not get him on the transparent list because I had no accommodation , it would break my heart but I would put him into foster care so he can have the environment he needs for recouperation after the op.

Yeah you do WHATEVER you have to do to ensure the child gets as well as possible. I know temporary accommodation is not suitable but it's better than a damp trailer. There's a women's and children's hostel in Athlone where she would go, it wouldn't be a homeless hostel full of junkies. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

Housing Crisis: Dying Boy (6) cant get liver transplant as he is homeless

Comments