OMAGH BOMB COUPLE TELL OF BABY DELIGHT
Omagh bomb couple tell of baby delight
Suzanne Rodgers
BRAVE Omagh bomb survivor Donna Marie McGillion cuddled her newborn baby daughter and declared: "She's the most beautiful thing in the world." Little Cara Frances McGillion arrived at Altnagelvin Hospital on Wednesday, nine days early but weighing a healthy 81bs 4oz.
For proud parents Donna Marie and Garry McGillion it was a joy they thought they might never have.
The couple were out shopping for last minute wedding items when they were caught up in the bomb blast which killed 29 people and injured hundreds of others in August 1998. Donna Marie was horrifically injured with third degree burns over two-thirds of her body. She was in a coma for six weeks and doctors gave her just a 5% chance of survival.
Garry also suffered burns to a third of his body. Despite painful ongoing treatment for her injuries, the couple married seven months later.
Holding her daughter Donna Marie said "Cara is the perfect gift, she is the most beautiful thing in the world. "When I look back on it now I never thought I'd be holding my baby girl like this.
"We thought it would be a long time before we'd ever try for a baby, but we were delighted when the doctors said we could go ahead."
And Garry echoed his wife's joy: "This gives us another grasp at what we want our lives at us and see life does get better. This is our light at the end of the tunnel and we hope it just goes on from here."
Donna Marie faces years of painful surgery on her face and body. She still has to wear a mask to help reduce scar tissue and the first of an estimated six plastic surgery operations is scheduled for January.
The couple are putting together a scrapbook to help their daughter understand what happened in Omagh.
Donna Marie said: "She's going to grow up with me and the problems I have with my injuries day to day. She'll know I'm different but I just hope she loves her mum and dad."
The proud parents will bring the new arrival home to Omagh at the weekend where they hope she will have a happy peaceful life.
Garry said: "We just hope Cara doesn't have to go through 30 years of what other people have had to go through. Other countries can be at peace, why can't Northern Ireland.
Suzanne Rodgers
BRAVE Omagh bomb survivor Donna Marie McGillion cuddled her newborn baby daughter and declared: "She's the most beautiful thing in the world." Little Cara Frances McGillion arrived at Altnagelvin Hospital on Wednesday, nine days early but weighing a healthy 81bs 4oz.
For proud parents Donna Marie and Garry McGillion it was a joy they thought they might never have.
The couple were out shopping for last minute wedding items when they were caught up in the bomb blast which killed 29 people and injured hundreds of others in August 1998. Donna Marie was horrifically injured with third degree burns over two-thirds of her body. She was in a coma for six weeks and doctors gave her just a 5% chance of survival.
Garry also suffered burns to a third of his body. Despite painful ongoing treatment for her injuries, the couple married seven months later.
Holding her daughter Donna Marie said "Cara is the perfect gift, she is the most beautiful thing in the world. "When I look back on it now I never thought I'd be holding my baby girl like this.
"We thought it would be a long time before we'd ever try for a baby, but we were delighted when the doctors said we could go ahead."
And Garry echoed his wife's joy: "This gives us another grasp at what we want our lives at us and see life does get better. This is our light at the end of the tunnel and we hope it just goes on from here."
Donna Marie faces years of painful surgery on her face and body. She still has to wear a mask to help reduce scar tissue and the first of an estimated six plastic surgery operations is scheduled for January.
The couple are putting together a scrapbook to help their daughter understand what happened in Omagh.
Donna Marie said: "She's going to grow up with me and the problems I have with my injuries day to day. She'll know I'm different but I just hope she loves her mum and dad."
The proud parents will bring the new arrival home to Omagh at the weekend where they hope she will have a happy peaceful life.
Garry said: "We just hope Cara doesn't have to go through 30 years of what other people have had to go through. Other countries can be at peace, why can't Northern Ireland.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0781
Published Date: 31-Aug-01
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