By Diarmaid Doherty
THE family of an Ardara man who was seriously injured in a road traffic collision while on a family holiday in the US at Christmas, say he’s continuing to show positive signs of recovery.
Daniel Gallagher of Meenakillew, Ardara suffered critical injuries in the incident in Orlando, Florida.
The collision occurred on the Friday after Christmas, December 29, and exactly a month on, Daniel continues to show signs of improvement.
His brother-in-law Thomas McWhinnie said Daniel was taken off a ventilator last week and he has been able to talk with his medical team and family members who are with him in Orlando.
“He has come on so well, and he’s beginning to talk a few words. He’s even asking about home,” Thomas told the Donegal News.
“He’s eating some food too which is all great news. Obviously he has a long road ahead of him, but he’s slowly improving and seems to be getting stronger everyday.”
Thomas’s wife Anne is a sister of Daniel, and along with another brother Paul, recently traveled out to Orlando to be with Daniel who is being cared for in the Orlando Regional Medical Centre.
“Someone from the family has been with Daniel all the time,” Thomas said.
“He was on a family holiday when the accident happened, so there’s always been someone with him.”
A GoFundMe page which was set up by friends to support Daniel and the Gallagher family to cover medical and travel expenses, has been inundated with donations and support. The amount raised has passed €117,000.
Thomas said the family has been overwhelmed by the messages of support that they have received.
“The amount of money raised has been fantastic,” he said.
“We as a family really appreciate everything that has been done for us over these last few weeks. The messages of support, the prayers and thoughts of everyone – we just can’t thank people enough.”
For anyone wanting to make a donation or offer support through a member of the committee, you can contact Martin Dorrian 087-2274404, Lorraine McHugh 087-9087501 or John McConnell 087-7620045.
The link to the GoFundMe page is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/daniel-gallagher
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