Miracle recovery for man injured in US

A 21-YEAR-OLD Irishman seriously injured in an unprovoked attack in the US six weeks ago has made a miraculous recovery.

John Brennan was just two weeks away from his 21st birthday when he was assaulted and left for dead outside an Irish bar in Connecticut Today, he's looking forward to coming home and is already planning a Christmas to remember with family and friends.

"It's been a terrible, terrible time and we simply could not have got through it but for the support of everyone at home and here in America," John's mother Mai said from the US last night. "I simply can't express how thankful we are to everyone."

The past six weeks have been a nightmare for the close-knit family from Clara on the Dublin side of Kilkenny city. Neighbours, friends and family have rallied together to fund John's $11,000-a-day hospital care. Most of the money to finance his $40,000 recovery has already been raised.

On August 28, John was assaulted from behind on Whitney Avenue, Connecticut.

He spent weeks in hospital and required surgery to have a bone removed and later replaced in his skull. He was on life support for a week. It was feared he might not recover.

The apprentice carpenter was in the US just five weeks when the assault took place. John's parents Mai and Tommy, his sisters Marian and Elaine, and brother Padraig travelled to the US, fearing the worst.

Marian, who is back from Connecticutt, said "The change in him since we were over a few weeks ago is simply remarkable. We can't get over it. He's only at the rehab centre now two days a week. They take him for intensive sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.

"They will review everything on November 12. They're doing academic, occupational and speech therapy with him and helping him work on his memory. "He's doing very well, so well though he's starting to get a bit frustrated.

"He's dying to get back home to Ireland. We have to watch him a lot so that he doesn't push himself too hard." Ma thanked all those in Clara and the rest of Kilkenny who have organised fundraisers to help her son.

"I don't know what we'd do without everyone who has helped us out. The Irish have come out of the woodwork over here. They can't do enough for us. "Two doctors told me that it has all been a miracle that John has come out of this so well.

"It must be all the masses, prayers and the wishes from home. It's been totally over-whelming." Donations to the John Brennan Sick Fund can be made through AIB, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Sort Code 93-34-22, account number 36701037