Leinster vs Connacht

Orin’s Story
The Irish Community Air
Ambulance transferred a
seriously injured child from Kerry
to Dublin after he was knocked
down as he crossed the road in
Listowel. Eleven-year-old Orin
Hough from Limerick was the
first child to be airlifted from the
south-west of Ireland directly to
the specialist neurosurgical centre
at CHI Temple Street under new
trauma protocols.
This is his story:
I’m Orin, and I can’t remember
the helicopter trip to the hospital.
Dad told me about it once I came
out of my coma.
It all started in May last year, I was
knocked down by a car as I was crossing
the road, going for a pizza with my
Dad. I was badly hurt but someone rang
999 and they sent the Air Ambulance,
which came very quickly. They gave
me emergency treatment on board their
helicopter and flew me straight to hospital
in Dublin. Dad went with me in the
helicopter and the Gardai drove Mum up
to meet us. Dad said the Air Ambulance
was very quick to arrive, and that’s what
saved my life! He told me that one of
the crew kept giving him the thumbs up,
which made him feel better.
A team of surgeons were waiting for me
at the hospital, and rushed me inside
for scans. I was brought to the ICU and
put into a coma for a whole week. I was
paralysed on my left side and couldn’t
speak for ages. Mum and Dad were up
the walls with worry.
Thankfully, I’m much better after rehab
and physio. I’m back in school with
my friends and can’t wait to play
football again. Mum said my progress
is phenomenal. I feel very lucky that
everyone was so brilliant, especially the
Air Ambulance team. When I was feeling
better the crew even sent me a teddy.
I call him Hero, because they are my
heroes!
Without the Air Ambulance I might not be
here. Mum and Dad have told me that
the Air
Ambulance is a charity and needs our
support. So, please donate now. It will
mean the world to me, and to all the
people the Air Ambulance will be able to
help in the future.
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 77