A Derry man who was left in a coma after being hit by a car in the United States is 'sitting up and making good progress'. Patrick Brennan suffered severe injuries in the collision in March and had to go through several life-saving surgeries in a California hospital.
The keen GAA player who had previously lived in Australia, had made a life for himself in Los Angeles and was living, working and playing for a local club in the area at the time of the accident.
Following the collision, which occurred during a weekend away, Mr Brennan had to be put into an induced coma in intensive care and his parents, Mary and Maurice, rushed to his bedside.
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A GoFundMe, which has since been closed, was started by Patrick's GAA team LA Cougars and raised $84,492 (£70,500) for his recovery and to enable his family to support him as much as possible in California.
Providing the latest update on Patrick's condition, Eoghan Geoghegan, Chairperson of LA Cougars, said: "A long overdue update but a positive one that closes out this page for good!
"For the last several weeks now Paddy has been in acute care in Los Angeles and making great progress. He's scheduled to move to a more 'intense' rehab facility once he heals a bit more over the next few weeks and then a return home to his apartment is within sight.
"Who knows, maybe he'll make USGAA Nationals and a trip to Derry at the end of summer after all. He's sitting up, awake, chatty, watching Netflix and reading between his PT and steady stream of visitors and will gobble any treats you bring him from the 'outside world'."
He continued: "On the family front, Paddy's parent just completed their massive shift here in LA and landed home in Derry for a few weeks. After almost 10 weeks in hospital every day with Paddy, they deserve a big hug and all the pats on the back in the world after the slog they've been through.
"Their presence in the hospital supporting Paddy and coordinating his care while he was unconscious is a shining example to parenthood and the power of an Irish Mammy and Daddy.
"Put the feet up Mary and Maurice and enjoy the break. Paddy's siblings have also made several visits over to be with him putting the funds to good use and keeping the family close during their time of need.
"Whether it shakes out to be a full 100% recovery where we see Paddy on the Gaelic football field again or a partial one, where he'll have to accept a coaching position next to me, we're all very thankful and delighted with Paddy's progress.
"It's been a pleasure to oversee his multiple communities' rally and support in so many ways over the last four months. Well done again to you all and take it as a reminder that the power of community is always there, you just need to lean in and activate it!"
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