Stars of Mrs Brown's Boys give Meath teen 'unforgettable' birthday surprise
The stars of Mrs Brown's Boys kindly answered an appeal to surprise a Co Meath teenager, who suffers from a rare condition, on his 18th birthday.
Kian Dunning Boggan was gobsmacked when Fiona O'Carroll who plays Maria Brown in the worldwide hit series rocked up to his door in Ratoath on Wednesday to wish him a happy birthday.
Fellow stars Danny O Carroll (Buster) and Paddy Houlihan (Dermot) also took the time to make a video call to Kian who received over 800 cards from kind well-wishers all over Ireland who replied to an emotional appeal from mum Joyce
She asked the public to help make the day extra-special for her son, who she watched battle open-heart surgeries as a baby and prayed that he would see his 18th birthday.
Lockdown restrictions have made life without many friends even lonelier for Kian who was also born with William's Syndrome.
Joyce thanked everyone who sent cards and well-wishes and even the local fire services who arrived with flashing lights and sirens blazing to make a bit of a fuss of Kian
"During Kian's first year of life, he underwent two open-heart surgeries and has had many cardiac procedures since then. He has always been a fighter and our little hero," she said.
"As his mother, waiting outside the surgical theatre and then laying beside his cot in the Intensive Care Unit of Crumlin's Children Hospital, I'd pray that God would allow me to get him to his 18th birthday."
Kian is a pupil of St Ultan's Special School in Navan.
As well as a cardiac condition which means regular check-ups and future operations, he was born with William's Syndrome - a genetic condition which can affect the aorta and all organs and occurs in every one in 20,000 children. May is also William's Syndrome Awareness month.
William's Syndrome is rare and those with the condition can also display 'super-powers' such as very sensitive hearing, super memory of people and places and are very sociable and friendly people
"Kian attends a special school and because of Covid-19, is in isolation and he is really missing all of his friends and extended family.
"Any mam with a child understands how difficult it is for the kids not having their friends of any social outings.
But with Kian having special needs, it is extremely hard not having that social interaction with his friends - there is no Tic Tok, WhatsApp or Zoom calls with his peer group.
"He has three younger siblings Alexandria (12), Tristan (10) and Bradan (7) who take good care of him but he's still missing his friends from the school.
"He just adores Mrs Brown's Boys so for Maria to arrive on the doorstep out of the blue - I never knew she was coming - and Dermot and Buster to Facetime him was just overwhelming and so touching."
