Benefit Concert for Bernard Sheridan, Co. Westmeath, Ireland

On the night of July 20th, 2008, Bernard Sheridan was struck by a car and sustained life-threatening injuries. The 19-year-old Dublin City University student from Ballynacargy, Co. Westmeath, was transported to the UCI Medical Center where he was eventually admitted to the Surgery Intensive Care Unit. Amongst the injuries that he sustained were a ruptured aorta, head trauma, contusions and lacerations. Bernard's parents were notified that their presence in California was needed in order to make life-saving decisions on behalf of their critically injured son.

Upon arrival on the evening of the 21st of July at the UCI Medical Center, Bernard's parents, Mary and Brian were briefed on the extent of the injuries to their son. Of immediate concern was possible brain damage, physical incapacitation to his limbs and a ruptured aorta. On a thankful note, the doctors soon advised Brian and Mary that there were no discernable or serious issues with respect to the head trauma or leg movement. There were, however, very critical life-threatening issues concerning his aorta. An operation to repair the aorta was slated for the 23rd of July. Unfortunately, another condition quickly became problematic and posed very serious threat to his survival. As a result of the collision, Bernard ingested a large quantity of bodily fluids into his lungs that became a source of infection. This ultimately led to asphyxiation pneumonia. He was placed on a respirator in order to support his malfunctioning lungs and put under heavy sedation, thereby inducing a coma. The doctors rated his probability of survival at only 15%. Due to Bernard being placed on a respirator, the surgeons had to delay the operation to repair his ruptured aorta. Constant attention was necessary to clear his lungs of foreign matter and the ensuing infections. On August 11th, Bernard slipped into a condition known as ARDS, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. His father, Brian, expressed that this day was "their darkest day" and the family feared for the life of Bernard. Due to the heroic efforts of the doctors, nurses and staff in the SICU, Bernard was saved from pending death. Over the next two weeks, Bernard suffered relapses in his conditions that were of a grave concern to his family and the medical staff. A minor procedure that was scheduled for the 25th had to be cancelled due to a relapse in his respiratory condition. A few days later, during the preparation for a much-needed MRI, Bernard's vital signs became acute and he had to be rushed back to ICU. The next day, August 30th, Bernard's respiratory situation showed some minor but hopeful improvement. He showed enough improvement, so that by September 2nd, his reliance on respiratory support was no longer necessary. Bernard's parents and siblings were given a glimmer of hope. From the 2nd until the 10th of September, Bernard's condition improved dramatically. His very rapid improvement at that stage caused many of the SICU staff to poke their heads into his room and remark at his seemingly miraculous recovery. In that time he went from a frustrating struggle to sit up to taking twenty difficult steps to a point where he slowly walked a series of laps around the SICU ward. His improved condition finally allowed the doctors to perform the required surgery on his ruptured aorta on the 10th of September. Due to problems resulting from Bernard's long-term respiratory complications, the surgery to repair his aorta expanded from a four-hour procedure into one that necessitated seven hours. His heart surgery was deemed successful. However, due to the nature of his aortic surgery, Bernard will likely remain hospitalized until mid-October, covering a period of over two-and-a-half months from the time of admission. Although Bernard will have to undergo therapy due to the multitude of injuries sustained it appears that he will enjoy a full and active life without any serious long-term consequences. Bernard, thankfully, has made what many on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit ward consider a miraculous recovery.

One may wonder why the Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club has taken on this fundraising benefit. The summertime months are witness to an influx of Irish students into the United States. Over the last number of years, Southern California has attracted hundreds of these J-1 visa visitors to its beach communities of San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Always in search of players, the Wild Geese makes an effort to track down these students in the hopes of bolstering the team's Gaelic football ranks. Although many are limited by transport issues, a number of Gaelic football-mad students make an effort to come out and join the club in training sessions and matches for the summer. Bernard was one such player. Although his interaction with the Wild Geese fit into a time frame of less than three months, his accident shocked those players that had gotten to know him. More so were his fellow DCU students that had come to Southern California to enjoy the "fun in the sun."

When the committee and players of the Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club became aware of the accident, the club was energized to help in whatever way that they could. The chairman of the Wild Geese, John Ziomek, encouraged everyone to provide support to the Sheridans and aid them in dealing with this tragic accident. We were mindful that they had embarked upon a heavy-hearted journey to the United States to attend to their son's care. From the time that Brian and Mary checked into the hotel across the street the hospital where Bernard was admitted, they began a round-the-clock vigil over their son. Mary, a nurse, and Brian, a high school teacher and counselor have kept a guarded faith in the recovery of Bernard as they witnessed the extraordinary care that the doctors, nurses and staff at the UCI Medical Center delivered to their son in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Thankfully for Mary and Brian, their employers back home in Ireland supported their desire to remain with Bernard for as long as it took to for him to recover. As they have been in the U.S. since July 21st, one would imagine that the costs of their accommodation, travel and meal expenses during their stay in California have become substantial. Over the decades the Irish community in Southern California has rallied to the aid of those stricken by similar circumstances. It is in that vein that the Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club has volunteered to host a fund-raising benefit concert in an effort to help out the family in covering some of the costs.

On Saturday, October 25th, the Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club will be hosting a benefit concert in aid of Bernard Sheridan and his family. The activities will be held from 4pm until 10pm at the Brothers of St. Patrick Novitiate located at 7820 Bolsa Avenue in Midway City. We are pleased to announce that Rick Boyle will perform his repertoire of Irish ballads. We are extremely fortunate to announce that our headliners will be Orange County's favorite Irish sons "The Fenians." Food and beverages will be available. Activities will be available for the children. Suggested donation at the door will be ten dollars for ages 16 and older. Anyone that can assist the club by providing donations of food and beverages will be welcome. The Wild Geese Gaelic Football Club invites you, your family, and friends to join us for an afternoon and evening of Irish music, fun and drink...ceol, craic agus ol...in support of the Sheridan family. We thank you for your support of this worthy endeavor.

For further information please contact John Ziomek at (201) 452-8868 or Kevin Mac Donnell at (949) 244-3269. E-mail us at wildgeeseinfo@yahoo.com or visit the Wild Geese website at www.wildgeesegfc.org