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.
MediaWATCH: Thailand Terror Risk RisesFlown 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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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