Mother of cerebral palsy sufferer suing Minister over care

The mother of a man with severe dyskynetic cerebral palsy will this morning seek to compel the South Western Area Health Board and the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to provide her son with 24-hour home care.

Ms Ann Mulligan, who lives in Lucan, Co Dublin, with her son, Robert (22), is suing the health board and the Minister for "appropriate therapeutic nursing care" at home.

Mr Mulligan's spine is severely twisted, he suffers from the jaundice-like condition, Gilbert's syndrome, his airways need to be suctioned once a day and his sleep is highly erratic.

Ms Mulligan told The Irish Times yesterday that his health was deteriorating and she was at times up with him "for 27 hours without a break". Separated from his father, Ms Mulligan has given up her career as a dress designer to care for her son. She said he was the "centre" of her world. Though promised 34 hours a week of assisted care by the health board nothing has come of it, she said.

"There have been nothing but battles and struggles [with the health board]. It is like a game of cat and mouse, waiting for me to collapse," she said.

A report commissioned by health board on Mr Mulligan's needs noted his total dependence on others to be fed, dressed, washed and changed. The consultant wrote that Ms Mulligan and her son were "trying to survive". Ms Mulligan had developed her own health problems and "has no possible outlets for her own interests or activities".

"Unfortunately if his current care situation continues then he will continue to deteriorate in a downward spiral of health.

"Essentially his mother is too tired and becoming unwell to continue to provide him with the care he needs."