A Derry toddler is finally be get to enjoy playing in his garden after a local housing association said it would lay synthetic grass at his Creggan home.
Andrew Melarkey (2) suffers from a very rare grass allergy resulting in him becoming very ill when exposed to it.
But now thanks to efforts from his mum Orla and local councillor Kevin Campbell, Apex Housing have agreed to lay synthetic grass at his home in Magowan Park.
Mrs Melarkey said she was “over the moon” to have the matter resolved.
“Around February time he was going out to the garden and his lips were swollen and he was throwing up.
“We thought it may have been just due to dust because our house was a new build but we knew by the swelling in his lips that it was an anaphylactic reaction.
“He ended up having the allergy test done in May and we found out it was the grass that was causing it.
‘We moved house last December and prior to that we didn’t have a garden so he wouldn’t have been exposed to grass as much.
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“Andrew is allergic to nuts and things also but we didn’t know about the grass which is one of the hardest ones to deal with.
“He was admitted into hospital a few times because of it, when he has a reaction he needs to get an EpiPen.
“Andrew attends Sure Start which has a artificial grass and most schools have that or laid down tarmac so it shouldn’t be an issue but if we are ever leaving him with anybody etc. they need to know. You have to be constantly watching him.”
Mrs Melarkey said she was delighted the issue had been resolved.
“The contractors are coming out end of this week, start of next week to carry out the work
“It’s a weight of my shoulders, I can settle in my new home now.
“Andrew still has issues with his other allergies but this will be one less hospital trip for him.”
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