Dublin toddler to fly home from Boston after seven operations to save her life

Elie Madden has taken first meal and can use her voice at last

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Elie Madden

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A Dublin toddler twin is to fly home from Boston next week after a series of operations saved her life.

Elie Madden, now just 18 months, made history last year when she became the first patient flown to America in the government jet for emergency treatment.

She will be flown home by the Irish Air Corps early next week after seven operations in the States.
The little girl, whose dad Eddie works in a Dublin restaurant, had not been able to breathe or swallow unaided before the operations.

She was placed in a coma for 38 days in Boston Children’s Hospital to ‘grow’ her oesophagus.

The Irish Times reports that after the seven operations she has recently taken her first meal and has been able to use her voice for the first time.

The report states that Elie was diagnosed with a rare digestive disorder at birth known as severe posterior tracheomalacia and long-gap oesophageal atresia.

A 5cm gap between her oesophagus and stomach prevented her from being able to eat, drink or swallow without medical equipment.

Little Elie flew to America last November with her mother Esti, her healthy twin sister Emie, her grandmother Anita and a government health service official.

Her dad is to fly to Boston on Friday to meet up with the family ahead of the trip home.

More information on fundraising activities to support the Maddens is available at www.eliemadden.com
 

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