A deacon in the Kerry diocese, who fought a massive battle with Covid-19 but made a great recovery, has written a book to share his remarkable story.
Deacon Thady O’Connor, who hails from Kilcummin, has penned Your Breath Is Your Hope: Covid 19 – My story of recovery and more which will be formally launched on Sunday, July 9.
The book charts how his dreadful ordeal started, in October 2021, with a cough that he initially treated with over-the-counter medicine but he had to be admitted to University Hospital Kerry when his condition suddenly escalated.
He spent eight weeks on a ventilator, fighting for his life, and it was only afterwards, when he spoke with medical staff, that he came to realise just how critically ill he actually was.
Deacon Thady tells how his great faith and prayer sustained him in the very dark days and nights and the crucial role the medical professionals and his family played in his recovery.
He said he focused on prayer, spiritual nourishment and positivity every moment of every day.
Prior to contracting Covis-19, Deacon Thady had never been in hospital and he kept fit by walking between 3km and 10km five or six times a week in Killarney National Park.
After spending several weeks in intensive care, he was moved to a high-dependency ward and, later, a general ward before eventually being transferred to Killarney Community Hospital to continue his rehabilitation.
Fr Pat Collins, who has ministered with Deacon Thady, said the book will be a great help to anyone facing a life crisis while Canon Mossie Brick, PP of Castleisland, where Thady ministers, said the story is inspiring and practical.
The well-known Kerry deacon is a very talented singer and musician and the book comes complete with a CD of seven healing hymns – performed by Thady and Fergus O’Sullivan – with all proceeds from the project going to MS Ireland, the Alzheimer Society and Radio Maria Ireland.
He said the hymns chosen were those he really connected with during his recovery as his family had arranged to have them played at his hospital bedside.
The publication has a foreword by Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, who said he hopes Thady’s story will be a source of light, hope and peace for many.
The book, containing photographs from his family collection, also features several blessings, thoughts and prayers.
Deacon Thady, who graduated from All Hallows College DCU with a masters in holistic development for personal ministry, is married to Carmel, and they have four adult children. He was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Browne in 2017.
The book will be launched on July 9 at a teaching and healing service in the Rose Hotel, Tralee. presented by Fr Pat Collins, CM.
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