Children of Courage award for Duleek's Adam O'Leary (6)

Six-year-old Adam O'Leary from Duleek was one of eight children to receive a National Children of Courage Award from the Share A Dream Foundation at a gala ball in Limerick recently. Little Adam, who is a son of Rachel and Chris O'Leary, was also honoured by President Mary McAleese who invited the children and their parents to Áras an Uachtaráin for a reception on Tuesday of last week. President McAleese congratulated the children on their respective awards before they jetted off to Disneyland Paris, as part of their recognition by the Share A Dream Foundation. The eight recipients were selected from many deserving nominations throughout Ireland, all of whom are facing daily battles against serious illness or disability. Last year, Adam had two operations to remove two brain tumours as well as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He received his Children of Courage award for his bravery in dealing with his illness and treatment. His mother, Rachel, explained that Adam had woken up each morning for a week feeling ill and she thought he had a bug. While blood tests taken by the doctor came back clear, Adam continued to suffer constant headaches, was getting sick and his vision was blurred. His parents brought him to the doctor on call service and when an MRI scan was taken in Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, they learned the devastating news that Adam had two brain tumours. He was quickly transferred to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin where he underwent his first operation just four days after being diagnosed. After it emerged the second tumour was malignant, he had another operation two weeks later and then began radiotherapy in St Luke's Hospital and chemotherapy in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. Mrs O'Leary said: "Adam was great. He just got on with it and did what he was told. Once we explained what was happening, he just got on with it." She added that they are all very proud of Adam and the way he has coped. "If he hadn't been so good about it all, it would have been a lot harder to get through. Adam was in isolation a lot but he just go on with it," his mum said. Adam visited Áras an Uachtaráin with his parents and older brother, Jamie, who was also delighted to meet President McAleese last week. Adam was "chuffed" with his Children of Courage award and brought it into school at Duleek Boys' NS to show his classmates. Shay Kinsella, founder of The Share A Dream Foundation, explained that the foundation exists to make a difference by bringing smiles and happy memories to hundreds of special children all over the country, and to try to eliminate an element of hopelessness and sadness by bringing joy to their lives. He said that the most difficult aspect of the National Chilren of Courage Awards is at judging stage when reading the nominations makes them realise how difficult life can be for these children and their parents. "Their stories are of heartbreak and illness, but also of fight, courage and determination to live life to the very best of their ability," said Mr Kinsella.