Ava's mum forced to resume walk to Dublin

By Kieran O’Mahony

VERA Twomey, the mother of six-year-old Ava from Aghabulloge near Coachford, resumed her walk to the Dail on Monday following the refusal of the HSE last week to approve an application for medicinal cannabis treatment for Ava. 

Vera is calling for legislation to be changed to allow for the right to access medicinal cannabis for Ava, who suffers from Dravets syndrome. 

She had suspended her plan to walk to Dublin last November when Health Minister Simon Harris rang her while she was walking and promised to do all he could to help.

Speaking to The Southern Star on Wednesday morning outside Cashel, Vera said that over 40 people were walking with her, which she said was hugely supportive.

‘People have really made the effort to come out and support me and people from down home as well as people here in Tipperary have joined me and I’m hoping to reach the gates of the Dáil next Tuesday,’ said Vera.

‘Minister Simon Harris sent me an email last night and said he understands the stress I’m under, but he has no idea what Paul and me are going through. I’m calling for legislation to be changed because they have already rejected our compassionate application for medicinal cannabis.’

Vera said one licence has already been granted in the country for medicinal cannabis so there was no reason to treat Ava any differently.

Ava has endured multiple epileptic fits and seizures on a daily basis since she was four months old and her mother Vera believes the cannabis product will ease Ava’s pain. 

In the Dail on Tuesday, Cork South West Deputy Michael Collins asked the Taoiseach to ‘personally intervene’ in the case of the many sufferers that cannot get access to this medicine. Vera was approaching the border with Tipperary as he spoke, on her way to Dublin, on the second day of her protest walk.