Four-year-old TJ McDaid from Drumkeen is making incredible progress towards walking independently!
The remarkable girl, who has severe spina bifida meningocele, recently astonished her physiotherapy team by standing almost completely unassisted.
TJ has spent the past month in Budapest, Hungary, receiving intensive physiotherapy at the Peto Institute.
On her last day of treatment, she demonstrated her strength and determination by standing with minimal support from her therapist.
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This year has already been significant for TJ, who underwent open skull reshaping surgery in January.
Her bravery has also been recognized as she was made an honorary Garda through the Little Blue Heroes programme last year.
Now, TJ and her mother, Claire McDaid, are back home, preparing for a major fundraising event.
This Sunday, a campervan raffle will be held at St Patrick’s Hall in Drumkeen, offering the winner a chance to embark on exciting adventures!
The grand prize is an 02-reg campervan equipped with a toilet and kitchen. Second prize is a PS5, and third prize is an electric motorbike for kids.
The raffle concludes a big weekend for TJ, which also features a jumble sale on July 5th and 6th at St Patrick’s Hall in Drumkeen.
All proceeds will support TJ’s ongoing treatment in Budapest, where she’s working to build the strength needed to walk. She will return for more therapy in 11 weeks, and every donation helps. Each trip to the Peto Institute costs an average of €12,000, so fundraising efforts are crucial for continuing TJ’s treatment.
To purchase raffle tickets, you can use Revolut or PayPal by contacting the “Tj wish 2 walk” Facebook page.
Tickets are also available at various local businesses, including Dry Arch Letterkenny, Brownes Gala Manorcunnigham, One Stop Letterkenny, Mc Ehinneys XL Manor, Dolan Chip Van Manor, Oldtown Stores Letterkenny, Marleys Shop Cloghan, Hardware & Grain Raphoe, Gibsons Farm Shop Raphoe, Barclays Raphoe, Gallinagh Nursery Centre Stranorlar, and Alexanders Ballybofey.
To further assist TJ’s progress, you can donate through her GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/life-changing-treatment-for-t-j/
TJ McDaid checks out the campervan up for grabs this summer
Donegal girl TJ takes big steps ahead of major fundraising weekend was last modified: July 1st, 2025 by
