A special 10th birthday party for a true Ballina heroine
Little Blue Hero Garda Kiah Ruane celebrates her 10th birthday with Mickey Mouse (Character Parties), Laura, Kiah and Declan Ruane, Ciaran Kennedy, (kennedy Motors), Garda Michael Kelly, Signage sponsored by Merricks Hardware Limited. Picture: John O'Grady.
On Tuesday last, October 22nd, Ballina girl Kiah Ruane celebrated her 10th birthday - and what a birthday it was because Kiah has defied all the odds by reaching 10.
“She was meant to live for just 10 minutes, and now she has made it to 10 years,” Kiah's mum Laura told the Western People, adding that Kiah has a rare syndrome that affects only one in 25,000 children.
Kiah's special birthday was organised in association with the Little Blue Heroes Foundation and took place at the Ballina Stephenites Clubhouse. Kiah, who is an Honorary Garda, was joined by her good friend Community Garda Michael Kelly with whom she has an “outstanding bond", explains Laura.
“She loves the sirens on the cars and she loves all of her buddies at the Garda Station.”
In addition, Ciaran Kennedy of Kevin Kennedy Motors brought his green Lamborghini to the occasion. He also sourced a van from Japan that is equipped to accommodate Kiah’s wheelchair.
Ciaran is very involved in the Little Blue Heroes Foundation and he participates in the Bumblebee 1000, a charity road trip, each year.
Many other Mayo businesses were integral to the success of Kiah’s birthday celebration. Cakes by Hollie supplied a sponge cake and sent some delicious cupcakes to Kiah’s friends at Ballina Garda Station.
Jonathan Merrick of Merrick’s Hardware provided the signage. Jonathan made magnetic signs for the Garda cars that read: 'Kiah is 10 today' and 'Kiah is a Little Blue Hero'.
“Without their help and support, I wouldn’t have gotten through it,” Laura said.
Mickey Mouse, Kiah’s favourite character, also made an appearance. The beloved Disney character was sent by Character Party Mayo.
Laura extends a massive thanks to all of the people who made Kiah’s 10th birthday party such a tremendous experience.
“Kiah is very magical,” she added. “She is very in tune with people. Everybody that meets Kiah feels a sense of spirituality about her. She is an earth angel.”
Laura emphasised that in the past year and a half, Kiah has been doing “absolutely remarkable”. She has greatly benefited from pony therapy at Shore Farm Pony Therapy and has received invaluable support from Western Care Association. Laura and her husband Declan are also extremely grateful for the continued support of Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland.
“If you met Kiah yourself, you would feel something quite magical from her,” Laura said. “For all she goes through daily, she is always smiling.”
Laura is also the Family Liaison Officer for the Little Blue Heroes Foundation. She encourages any interested families to reach out to her at lauraruane10@gmail.com.
