Archie has been a patient in a Children’s Hospital since shortly after being born and has remained an inpatient there due to the complexity of his medical conditions.  Archie was diagnosed with two Metabolic Conditions, Glycogen Storage Disorder Type 1B and MCAAD. Glycogen Storage Disorder are a group of potential life threatening genetic disorders present from birth.

Archie’s second diagnosis of MCADD is a rare life-threatening genetic disorder present from birth. It stands for “medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency”. In MCADD, the body is unable to break down medium chain fats which come from food and also from fats already stored in the body. Most fats in our diets can be broken down without any difficulty. In MCADD, the body cannot break down fat for energy. Instead, it must rely solely on glucose. Once the glucose has been used up, the body tries to use fat without success. This leads to low blood sugar, called hypoglycaemia and to the build-up of harmful substances in the blood, which causes liver and muscle problems.

At night Archie is placed on a continuous feed. Archie is required to sleep on an enuresis mat as a safety measure. The mat alarms if it gets wet and would pick up any leaks in Archie’s tube alerting the family to alter his feed. At present there is no room for error in his feeding schedule, attempts have been made to broaden the timeframe however Archie’s sugars have dropped. Hypoglycaemic episodes can result in lethargy, coma, cause permanent brain damage and even death, in extreme situations. 

Due to Archie’s Glycogen Storage Disease, Archie requires a liver transplant, however, he hasn’t been able to access this, because the transplant team would have to be satisfied that a foster carer or foster carer could meet the criteria to provide the post transplant care.

Archie likes to dance, to listen to music, and loves to play with trucks.  He loves to eat, and enjoys exploring how to feed himself.  Archie loves to have people with him who will give attention, and he loves to walk outside. 

Archie likes to sing, and loves to whisper, and whistle music, and explore the sounds he can make.

Archie does not like loud noise, or spicy food, and when other children are around he can be intimidated, as he isn’t used to them.  Archie doesn’t like to play with balls, or drawing.  He dislikes spending time alone, or feeling trapped in a small space.  He can struggle with a lot of activities around him, or when too much people are giving him too much attention.

Archie is very excited, and clever, he is affectionate, and a good observer of the world around him.   Archie loves to try to encourage other people to do what he wants, and uses smiles, and laughter to encourage this.

Archie loves music, and to listen to songs, he loves movies with music in it, and to sing along.  Archie loves to go for walks, and be outside, and he loves to eat, and explore different foods.

We are urgently looking for an individual or couple to provide foster care for Archie until after he receives and recovers from a transplant. Full training on all his medical needs will be given and we are willing to provide a generous support package to ensure the foster carers are well supported in meeting his needs.

For more information, please contact Tusla's national freephone fostering number 1800 226 771 or email tusla.fostering@tusla.ie. More details on tusla fostering services can be found on fostering.ie