Liam Heffernan is showing remarkable improvements after undergoing vital lifesaving stem-cell treatment in New York a few months ago in May this year.

Liam suffers from a rare neurological disorder called Battens Disease ,which affects a sufferer's speech and motor skills and can cause seizures and blindness.

Liam's dad Tony said that the doctors are happy with his progress and are hopeful ahead of the crucial six month check-up, reports the Herald. Tony added "Liam is doing really well. He's off the anti-seizure medication...He has had some staring episodes which could be seizures. But doctors think it could be daydreaming."

The young boy lost his five-year-old sister Saoirse to the same disease earlier in the year, so having had the chance to avail of the specialised hospital services in New York comes as immense relief for his parents Tony and Mary Heffernan, who reside in Castledrum, Keel, Co.Kerry.

"He sees photographs of him and Saoirse and he asks about her. He's always blowing up kisses to the skies," Tony says in the Herald. "When Saoirse was sick she was quite upset because she thought it was her fault that everyone was crying. So Mary said that it has to stop -- we have to be positive."
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Read more:

Liam Heffernan making amazing progress in New York

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Liam Heffernan cleared for life-saving New York medical trial

Saorise Heffernan loses her battle with killer brain disease
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Tony is now preparing to leave the country for work which he says will be difficult. "I stopped working 15 months ago. I'll return to work but I have to go overseas for this as I'm a ship's captain so I'll be in Oslo," he tells the Herald.

"I'm going to be away from Liam and Mary and from Saoirse's special place, her grave here," he added. "It's not going to be easy but I refuse to live on handouts."

Local firm The Interiors Directory has pledged that for everyone who signs on to their mailing list at www.interiorsdirectory.com, they will donate €1 to the Saoirse Foundation for Batten Disease.

In addition, they are hoping to get to 50,000 followers on Facebook as one anonymous donor has pledged a donation of €50,000 when they reach this.