THE all-consuming, invisible coronavirus is not only ravaging the economic world – but it’s causing family units to separate just to survive. Former Irish League ace Stephen McAlorum and his wife Orlagh are doting parents to Fiadh, Connlai and Niamh.
Four-year-old Fiadh suffers from cystic fibrosis and her parents are taking every precaution necessary to keep her safe from the deadly virus.
McAlorum enjoyed a successful playing career with Glenavon, Glentoran, Ballymena United and Donegal Celtic is now manager of intermediate side Belfast Celtic. But football has been firmly put on the back-burner since the ferocious arrival of COVID-19 in Ireland.
McAlorum runs a couple of newsagents in west Belfast and like many parents, he simply can’t afford to stop working.
“I’m going back and forward to work, not really serving the public, just going to the wholesalers and back,” McAlorum explained.
“When I come back to the house I strip off my clothes at the door, jump in the shower and sanitise everything. Doing that for 12 weeks is going to be difficult. Orlagh and myself are in a place where it’s going to be difficult.”
The former midfielder is now considering complete separation from his partner and two children.
“We don’t know how Fiadh would react if she caught this,” admitted McAlorum. “It could be fatal for her. So, do I self-isolate? Orlagh has already self-isolated. She hasn’t moved from the house, so do I leave the house for 12 weeks now? You’re so afraid of bringing something into the house. I still have to provide but at the same time I don’t want to put my family in jeopardy.
“I could live with my father and all I could do is make video calls to the kids. I have to think what’s the best thing for my family.”
Cystic fibrosis is a life-long illness that badly affects the lungs and digestive system and needs regular medication.
“From Fiadh was born we were taught in areas of hygiene and how to keep things as clean as possible. Fiadh gets her medicines and everything is sterile.
“All the hand washing is part of that, so it comes naturally to us. We do this day in, day out. This is the life of a cystic fibrosis patient. Any other cystic fibrosis patient would tell you the same. But this self-isolating is something different. We have to do what’s best for her.
“Fiadh is a wee warrior. Nothing seems to get her down too much. She had to get her bloods done today, and it’s difficult seeing her cry but after it, she gets on with things.”
Fiadh, was taken out of nursery school last week before the British government officially closed all schools on Wednesday.
Before local football was suspended last week, Belfast Celtic were looking forward to an Intermediate Cup semi-final with north Belfast neighbours Newington and trying to climb the Ballymena Premier League table.
Like many managers, McAlorum has instructed his players to stay away from gyms and encouraged them to go out running to keep their fitness levels up.
But football has never been lower on his list of priorities.
“You’re listening to Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson and you sit back and say: ‘Is this actually happening?’ It’s something you’d see during World War I or World War II when these broadcasts stop normal TV. It is quite scary.”
