Cara Devane with her brother Feidhlim and sister Sadhbh.g

Parents warn on 'invisible illness'

A FOUR-YEAR battle against an ‘invisible illness’ has led a north Galway family to London in search of treatment for their child.
Cara Devane, 11, from Brierfield, has gone from being a bubbly, enthusiastic gymnast and cheerleader to relying on a wheelchair to get around after being diagnosed with a rare condition that affects her joints.
 “I loved gymnastics, cheerleading, football and Irish dancing but when the pain started in my ankle I couldn’t do them as it was too painful,” she said.
Cara’s mother Erin thought the initial pain may have been as a result of over exertion and brought her to a physiotherapist for treatment.