“His legacy lives on through his family’s incredible strength, love and determination. They are an inspiration.”
The family of a young boy who passed away at just eight-years-old have unveiled a mural in their local area to mark his third anniversary.
Caoimhin Adams is the only person on the island of Ireland to have been diagnosed with the extremely rare condition, ROHHAD (rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysregulation, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation).
The Newtownabbey boy was diagnosed with the condition just months before he passed away on July 9, 2023. He had a number of symptoms that developed, including weight gain, breathing issues, and fluctuations in heart rate.
Just hours before he passed away, Caoimhin had been at a fun day organised by his family and the local Bawnmore community. His mum, Caitriona, said the community has always been supportive of the family and their bid to raise awareness of ROHHAD.
To mark the anniversary of his death, civic buildings in Belfast and Antrim and Newtownabbey are being lit up orange in Caoimhin’s memory and to raise awareness of ROHHAD.
Additionally, his family and the Bawnmore Residents’ Group teamed up to have a mural of Caoimhin placed in the local area. The mural, created by artist Visual Waste, shows Caoimhin in his favourite Buzz Lightyear costume, with writing saying “to infinity and beyond.”
At the unveiling of the mural on July 9, the eight-year-old’s brother, Aidan, spoke about his little brother and how much he is missed by the family. To mark the third anniversary of her son’s passing, his mum, Caitriona, wrote a song which was played at the event.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Caitriona said: “We walk past here every day three or four times. The mural was an idea I said to Kieran and the children, I contacted the community residents’ association, and they thought it was an amazing idea.
“Putting Caoimhin’s face on a wall means so much. We’re right beside Airtastic where children are going in, and it has a child friendly theme, so we believe it will attract children to the mural and people can always Google Caoimhin’s condition.”
Father Aidan Troy, Holy Cross parish priest and friend of the family, described Caoimhin as an “inspiration.” Using holy water on the mural, he annointed the youngster as “Saint Caoimhin.”
Sinn Féin MP, John Finucane, attended the event and paid tribute to the efforts of Caoimhin’s family to raise awareness of ROHHAD.
He said: “The community came together today for the unveiling of a beautiful mural in Bawnmore, created in memory of young Caoimhin Adams on the third anniversary of his passing.
“Diagnosed with the rare condition ROHHAD at just eight years old, Caoimhin was the first person on the island of Ireland to receive the diagnosis.
“In the years since, his mum Catriona and the Adams family have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of ROHHAD, turning unimaginable heartbreak into a campaign that is shining a light on this little-known condition.
“Caoimhin’s legacy lives on through their incredible strength, love and determination. They are an inspiration.”
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