A 14-year-old girl who suffered major internal injuries and a brain bleed in a crash at Unanderra in December has made steps on her road to recovery.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Monday, the girl, who can not be identified for legal reasons, attended ‘‘school’’ at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Although the girl’s left side remains entirely paralysed and she managed just 15 minutes of the hospital’s specialised class, her father said any progress was good news, and the family was ‘‘taking each day as it comes’’.
He said his daughter only came out of a coma, a result of the crash, three weeks ago.
‘‘I’m just happy ... she’s been strong enough to make it through with the injury she’s got,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s just a horrendous, mighty big thump she’s copped to the head.’’
The girl, who was a passenger in a car allegedly driven by 19-year-old Shaun Primmer, suffered critical injuries when the vehicle hit a pole on December 6.
The crash happened on the corner of Graham Street and Waples Road.
Police have alleged Primmer never held a licence.
He faced Wollongong Local Court again on Wednesday where the case was adjourned until March 26.
Meantime, the girl’s father said his spirits had been lifted with each small improvement.
‘‘Her right side is functioning, she has arm movement on her right side, leg movement on the right side but her left side is still immobilised,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re allowed to put her in the chair, take her out for an hour in the morning if she can handle that.
‘‘There are little telltale signs she’s got that help us as far as how she is.’’
However, he said his daughter still struggled to comprehend the world around her, and her recovery was likely to be a slow process.
‘‘She’s not comprehending what’s going on but it [school] is a stimulant for the brain so she can start getting into routine,’’ he said. ‘‘Now we can only just stand by and do what we can.
‘‘As far as rehab goes it’s entirely up to my daughter.’’
He urged other parents to keep a watchful eye over their children.
‘‘Value the life of your kids and keep hold of them because at the snap of your fingers they can be taken away from you,’’ he said.
