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Shane Free, Phuket diver now recovering from a horrific motorcycle crash

Phuket Coma Diver Shane Talks, Takes First Steps

Wednesday, February 17, 2010
PHUKET diver Shane Free has taken his first tentative steps and is talking again after a life-threatening motorcycle crash on the island.

Flown home to Britain as soon as he was able to travel, Shane has begun the recovery process that his mother Monica Vearer believes will see him back on the island one day.

''Shane has improved so much over the past two weeks,'' she told Phuketwan.

''He took his first steps last week,'' she said, ''and today he walked 10 metres with an aid frame, which is about 30 steps.

''He also started to talk over two weeks ago. And is laughing and joking with his friends.''

Shane, a diving instructor with his own business on Phuket, was found on the road after a motorcycle mishap on December 13. All his identification and valuables were missing.

With the help of some detective work by nurses at Vachira Hospital, using the registration number of the motorcycle, his identity was revealed.

Monica flew to his bedside soon after, and has been there ever since. The pair flew back to Britain, with Shane still on a hospital bed, on January 20.

Today Monica remains by her son's bedside. ''The doctor and nurse who acompanied us were fantastic,'' Monica said. ''They looked after Shane so well, and I am thankful for that.

''Shane has improved so much over the past two weeks.''

Monica says visits from friends are now helping, too. A Facebook page, established as he lay ill, attracted thousands of well-wishers.

''I am still 24/7 with him because I can't bear to leave him,'' Monica said. ''He is fully recovered not by a long shot.

''He is recalling the things he was doing with his friends, which is aiding his recovery.

''Lots of his friends have been to see him and they have made him laugh and joke. He is still very weak but each day brings something new for Shane to do.

''The doctors are very happy with is progress.''

Monica remains grateful for the care Shane received on the island.

''I would like to thank everyone on Phuket for all the help they have given Shane and me,'' she added.
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Comments

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Yes yes yes Shane.
Good on you for taking the first steps, now it is just improvement, improvement, improvement.
Sorry Murray Walker but this is such good news, I had to use your commentators good phrases.
Well done Shane, keep at it.
Prayers are with you and your family.
See everybody, prayer does help?

Posted by Graham on February 17, 2010 15:44

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Great news! Well done, Shane and Monica. Thanks, Phuketwan, for keeping us updated here on Phuket. Looking forward to seeing Shane back here soon.

Posted by Treelover on February 17, 2010 16:07

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Many thanks for all the lovely comments.
Shane's MUM. xx

Posted by monica on March 4, 2010 06:09

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Hi ya Monica
Give all of our best to Shane and PLEASE do keep us updated as to his progress. The guy is a fighter and good fellow, too.
Be well, Shane.

Posted by Graham on March 4, 2010 08:30

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I have just been reading through the good wishes from all the reports on my son Shane, and thank you all.

But there is one that really stands out it was posted on the 19.2.2010 by Jamie. Everyone has the right to say what they feel, so I will have mine.

JAMIE you must be so perfect in life it's scary, you seam to be one of those people who believe it will never happen to me because I have thought of every thing. Life has a funny way to throw that out of the window. As for the helmets, yes i do know it is law, but if you took the time and read my comments it was for every person on the bike, not just the rider.

And as for what happened, I will never know for sure. As there has been several accidents on that road just lately, the captain of the police came out with us, as he had another motorbike accident in the same place the very next night. And he thought this was very suspicious.

Like I said, I will never know. I have Shane, he may never make a full recovery, only time will tell. Many parents aren't as lucky as me, they don't get take their love ones home alive.

I wonder what your comments would be to them??????

Have a happy and safe life,
Monica, Shane's Mum.

Posted by Monica on March 6, 2010 06:51

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Thank you every one I am almost back to my old self but I want to be better then I was in time I will be

Posted by shane on March 3, 2015 01:36

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Brilliant news Shane. Keep up the good work you are doing. Monica you are no less of a fighter and great mother and guide. Well done Shane.

Posted by Graham on March 3, 2015 09:53

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Jaime I lived there so didn't have life insurance if I was on holiday then I would have holiday insurance do you have life insurance for were you live ? If so then I hope something happens to you as it will be money well spent if nothing happens to you then unlucky you just wasted all that money

Posted by shane on March 4, 2015 20:38


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