Portlaoise boy and loyal dog plan brave Christmas walk

A PORTLAOISE schoolboy whose life was transformed by his assistance dog will do a fundraising walk with his loyal four-legged friend at Christmas.

Reilly Kinahan, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and autism, will bravely attempt the longest walk of his life on 24 December, when he sets out on a 3km route with his stability assistance dog Miller.

The 12-year-old has already more than doubled his fundraising target for Irish Dogs for the Disabled, which provided him with the beautiful black Labrador three years ago.

When Miller arrived, Reilly was unable to keep his balance when walking and suffered regular falls. Now the devoted duo walk 1km every day and falls are thankfully rare.

A pupil at the Aoibhneas autism unit in Scoil Bhríde NS, Reilly generously wanted to give something back to the charity that changed his life.

The idonate fundraising page ‘Reilly & Miller’s 3km walk for awareness and vital funds’ was set up with a target of €2,000. By 28 November the fund reached €4,275, with supportive messages and donations still pouring in. The page will remain open until 8 January 2025.

Reilly was chosen as a county champion by Irish Dogs for the Disabled in October, in recognition of his amazing courage. Born 12 weeks early in 2012, he was diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy in 2014 and with autism shortly afterwards, but he has continued to defy the odds throughout his young life.

When she set up the fundraising page, his mother Yvonne Curtin highlighted Reilly’s indomitable spirit and positive outlook despite overwhelming challenges.

She said: ‘Reilly’s journey hasn’t been easy but he is the hardest worker, who has never stopped beating the odds and owning his disability. He started off shuffling on his bottom and then moved to walking on his knees.

‘A walking frame was introduced then and, when he was 4.5 years old, he let go and ran everywhere. Reilly's problem was that his balance was not there when he walked at a normal pace, meaning he kept falling every day. Even with a hand to hold, he just couldn’t keep his balance when walking.

‘Then, when Reilly was nine years old, we got the call from Dogs for the Disabled to say that there was a dog available that they felt really matched Reilly’s energy levels. In November 2021 he got to meet Miller, his stability assistance dog.

‘They bonded straight away, snuggling and laughing around each other. Taking Miller home after training was a great day and just the start of the journey.

Now, three years later, Reilly and Miller walk 1km daily. It's not much to most people, but for Reilly it has been massive. He no longer falls. He fell every walk before Miller and now it’s a rare occurrence.

‘A lovely crossover benefit is that when Reilly is walking without Miller, he doesn’t fall anymore either. Miller was the final piece of the puzzle that has tied all the hard work that Reilly has done together.

‘Reilly is very proud to have been chosen as county champion for Laois and to help raise awareness and funds for the amazing charity that has been a huge part of changing his life for the better.’ Founded in 2007, the charity provides highly trained assistance dogs free of charge to children and adults with physical disabilities.

Donations to Reilly’s fundraiser can be made at Reilly & Miller's 3km walk on idonate.ie