A BRIT dad-of-two has been left quadriplegic after snapping his spine in freak accident on holiday.
David Hayes, 37, was left in a coma for almost three weeks following the incident while he was on holiday in Ibiza.
FacebookA British father-of-two has been left quadriplegic after snapping his spine[/caption]
GoFundMeDavid Hayes spent almost three weeks in a coma[/caption]
FacebookDavid is a husband and dad-of-two[/caption]
The dad from Torquay, Devon, had arranged the trip after his wife Elly was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer.
She is currently facing radiotherapy.
But while on their holiday David inhaled salt water – leading to pneumonia and a collapsed lung.
He counted on a ventilator to breathe in the hours following the tragic accident.
David broke vertebrae in his neck and sustained damaged sections of his spinal cord.
Doctors have said there is no chance of him regaining any movement from the chest down.
But his family are keeping the faith, while he will need 24-hour medical care for life and adaptations to his home.
A GoFundMe page reads: “David, 42, has been diagnosed as quadriplegic, meaning he is permanently paralysed from the chest down and has no use of his limbs.
“Doctors and surgeons have said there is no chance of him regaining any movement.
“We remain extremely hopeful of a miracle through intensive rehabilitation and advancements in medical science.
“He is currently on a waiting list to be transferred to the Salisbury Spinal Treatment Centre, which will provide highly specialist rehabilitation.”
The fundraiser adds that David has been making “excellent progress” in his recovery.
It says: “He is breathing on his own for long stints off the ventilator.
“This is fantastic news as damage to the C3-C5 section of the spinal cord can impair control of the diaphragm, however, he continues to experience weakened respiratory function.
“He can also now chew and digest some solid foods.”
But to add to the family’s woes, Elly is still undergoing radiotherapy treatment.
This is underway “alongside caring for their children” and “daily visits to David’s bedside”.
The fundraiser adds: “David will require 24-hour medical care and rehabilitation for the rest of his life and vast adaptations to his home, which is only part subsidised by the government.
“We are fundraising to ensure that David has the best quality of life, with access to first-rate care, high quality therapies and the latest in assistive technologies.
“A lot of people have contacted us asking how they can help David, Elly and the children cope with this tragic and incomprehensible situation.”
“Any amount donated will be hugely appreciated,” they added.