Yvonne Cahalane moved to Colorado just before Christmas last year in a bid to avail of cannabis oil for medical use for her two-year-old son Tristan, who has Dravet syndrome - a rare form of epilepsy.
But are now preparing to return home to Cork after a hugely successful trip.
“The flights are booked. We are coming home to Cork for definite,” Yvonne told Patricia Messinger on C103’s Cork Today Show.
“We have been at this non-stop for the last two years. Finally, December 3rd we will be landing back in Cork. We’ve been working day and night to ensure that we have the cannabis oil when we get home.”
@professorgreen pic.twitter.com/4vAUgw4Dcy
— Yvonne Cahalane (@YCahalane) September 10, 2016
While the trip has been a success, the family - which includes Yvonne, John, Oscar and Tristan - have been separated for the past year, with John staying at home in Ireland due to his job.
“It is the separation that was the toughest. It’s missing home as well. But the two boys are happy to be together.
"It’s been worth everything though seeing Tristan improve. It’s changed all of our lives. It’s given Tristan a chance at life."
My wonderful husband delivering our speech at The Epilepsy Ireland National Conference today.
— Yvonne Cahalane (@YCahalane) October 8, 2016
Thank you EI & everyones support. pic.twitter.com/YNDcRX7Gr1
“Tristan is doing amazing. He’s had more reductions in his medications, so he’s still only taking two medications but he’s being able to reduce it a little."
However, the family won't be able to bring back the oil made in America, but have overcome this problem by getting it made for him in Europe. A doctor experienced in the medicine will also be coming to Ireland with Yvonne to try to help other families in the same position.
@C103Cork thank you for all your support.
— Yvonne Cahalane (@YCahalane) November 17, 2016
“We will be coming back with one of our doctors from Colorado. He will be staying with us for a few days and we have nearly a full week of appointments, meeting officials and meeting medical people in the hope that his expertise will help anybody else.
“I can’t believe we’re actually going home. It’s going to be super."
Yvonne’s online petition, entitled ‘Whole Plant Medical Cannabis for Everyone & for Tristan’ (link here), has already attracted over 11,000 supporters.
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