'I think there's more to me’ - brave Laois Operation Transformation leader Andrea Daly

A Portlaoise mother of three has already won the hearts and support of Laois people as one of the five brave new leaders for the 2023 series of Operation Transformation.

Originally from Arklow, Co Wicklow, Andrea Daly, 38, lives in Portlaoise with her husband Joe and children Alex, Ryan and Masey.

She has the special support of Joe's home town Rathdowney where Joe's parents Kathleen and Jack live. Jack ran a filling station for years, and is very involved in Clover Utd soccer club.

Andrea and Joe's eldest son, Dylan, was born in 2005 to the young couple. Sadly after suffering seizures aged three months, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

They moved to Portlaoise and cared for him full-time, later growing their family.

“Dylan was years in and out of hospital, he was peg fed, he never talked, never walked. I thought I would be this mammy with a little boy running around but no. Things got harder as he got older. It was tough but I would give anything to have it again,” Andrea said on the show.

On Christmas Day 2018, Dylan became ill and in Temple Street hospital, the couple were given the devastating news that no more could be done.

“We brought him back to Portlaoise, they did a beautiful room for him. we had a couple of days and then on January 7, we woke up to hear that Dylan had passed away, he just went in his sleep.”

The loss of Dylan, 13, left a huge void in all of their lives.

In the first episode aired on RTÉ 1 television last Wednesday night , January 4 a quietly spoken and brave Andrea told presenter Kathryn Thomas how low her confidence has fallen.

“I feel like 'there's someone better than you’. I don't have a job, I have my kids, I clean I cook, I wouldn't be the person that I think people are looking for,” she said.

She described Dylan as “always smiling, always happy”.

Her husband Joe said “our life revolved around him and when something has such an effect on your life and all of a sudden it's taken away, it has a profound effect”.

Andrea bravely took the step to apply for Operation Transformation and try to rediscover her happiness and self confidence.

“I want to be able to run the 5k. I don't want to walk it. I want to run it,” Andrea said.

“She's an inspiration to me, and the kids would say the same,” her husband said.

Her son Alex said “we all love her very much and I just think it's good for her to be able to do this and I just hope she gets on well”.

“I don't want to be that Andrea crying, sad Andrea. I know she's lost her son, but that isn't going to change. I want to get that fun (level) back up. I think there's more to me than just me,” Andrea said.

Portarlington man and OT Psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy told a tearful Andrea that she could be “one of the most profound leaders for people”.

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“We know you're coming up to the anniversay which is a very vulnerable time for you and our hearts go out to you.

“For yourself there's a healing part to it, a rediscovery, a growth and I think other pepole will grow and heal as well. Along the line that little spark will come too, it just takes time.

“Believe that good things can happen to you. You deserve to be here and we want to help you so much,” Dr Eddie told her.

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For week one, Andrea is advised by the experts to simply try make small changes to her lifestyle, and followers can do the same by following her on 0t.rte.ie.

“I look forward to getting healthy and being happy in my own body. I feel this is my year and I'm looking forward to the next eight weeks.” Andrea said.