ONE YEAR ago today, Shane Free almost became road kill. He was found lying on the road between Karon and Chalong, in southern Phuket.
There was no ID. It took sharp work by the nurses at Vachira Hospital in Phuket City - and later British honorary consul Martin Carpenter - to give the mashed man in a coma a name.
Twelve months on, thanks to good care in Thailand and Britain and a mother who insisted on being there to help, Shane Free has his life back again.
His mother Monica Vearer has spent the year helping her son, but also spreading the message that wearing helmets on motorcycles helps to save lives.
There is no way of knowing whether Shane was wearing a helmet that early morning, or whether he was kicked off his motorcycle by thieves who took everything they could, including the helmet.
His head might never be quite the same, but his mother reports that she has the son she loves back again . . . and she does not want other mothers to go through the anguish of flying to a strange country and finding so many people unconcerned about safety.
Coincidentally, the past 12 months have also seen a ''wear a helmet'' campaign established and spread by Colonel Wanchai Eakpornpit, the Superintendent of Phuket City Police Station.
The campaign has been so successful that from January 1 it spreads across all of Phuket.
On the other side of the world, still caring for Shane, who ran a dive business on Phuket, Monica is the colonel's number one fan, and always keen to hear of the progress of helmet safety.
Here's what she had to say in her anniversary email: ''It has been a year since Shane's accident and I can't believe how well he has come on.
''Shane is doing really well. He is starting to do some voluntary work, still near the water and we can't keep him away from it. He spends a lot of time on Facebook, keeping in touch with his friends.
''When I bought Shane back to England, he was paralysed down his left side. Looking between the thoughts of the doctors, they did not give much hope, for his future.
''As you know there was no way that I was going to give up. I have my son back . . . a bit different to how he use to be, his voice is a bit slower and he is a bit forgetful at times.
''But he has still got that wicked sense of humor. He still has a long way to go, as he gets tired very quickly. His swimming is coming along really well, just waiting to see if the doctor will let him dive with me in the pool.
''Shane can fly only a short distance at present, so next year I will take him to Ibiza for a holiday. Later on, money permitting, I want to bring him back to Phuket for a holiday.
''I keep up with all the news on the helmet law, it looks like the safety campaign is going well. Shane and I were so pleased with the latest results. Fewer deaths on the road wonderful.''
Phuketwan supports the Mothers or Motorcycles (MoM) action group.
There was no ID. It took sharp work by the nurses at Vachira Hospital in Phuket City - and later British honorary consul Martin Carpenter - to give the mashed man in a coma a name.
Twelve months on, thanks to good care in Thailand and Britain and a mother who insisted on being there to help, Shane Free has his life back again.
His mother Monica Vearer has spent the year helping her son, but also spreading the message that wearing helmets on motorcycles helps to save lives.
There is no way of knowing whether Shane was wearing a helmet that early morning, or whether he was kicked off his motorcycle by thieves who took everything they could, including the helmet.
His head might never be quite the same, but his mother reports that she has the son she loves back again . . . and she does not want other mothers to go through the anguish of flying to a strange country and finding so many people unconcerned about safety.
Coincidentally, the past 12 months have also seen a ''wear a helmet'' campaign established and spread by Colonel Wanchai Eakpornpit, the Superintendent of Phuket City Police Station.
The campaign has been so successful that from January 1 it spreads across all of Phuket.
On the other side of the world, still caring for Shane, who ran a dive business on Phuket, Monica is the colonel's number one fan, and always keen to hear of the progress of helmet safety.
Here's what she had to say in her anniversary email: ''It has been a year since Shane's accident and I can't believe how well he has come on.
''Shane is doing really well. He is starting to do some voluntary work, still near the water and we can't keep him away from it. He spends a lot of time on Facebook, keeping in touch with his friends.
''When I bought Shane back to England, he was paralysed down his left side. Looking between the thoughts of the doctors, they did not give much hope, for his future.
''As you know there was no way that I was going to give up. I have my son back . . . a bit different to how he use to be, his voice is a bit slower and he is a bit forgetful at times.
''But he has still got that wicked sense of humor. He still has a long way to go, as he gets tired very quickly. His swimming is coming along really well, just waiting to see if the doctor will let him dive with me in the pool.
''Shane can fly only a short distance at present, so next year I will take him to Ibiza for a holiday. Later on, money permitting, I want to bring him back to Phuket for a holiday.
''I keep up with all the news on the helmet law, it looks like the safety campaign is going well. Shane and I were so pleased with the latest results. Fewer deaths on the road wonderful.''
Phuketwan supports the Mothers or Motorcycles (MoM) action group.
Shane and I would like to say thank you to all his friends, and nurses and doctors in Phuket. Also to Phuketwan for reporting on Shane's progress.
Wishing you all a happy, happy Christmas and New Year.
Monica and Shane
Safe driving. MoM
Posted by Monica on December 13, 2010 17:31