Mum of crocodile attack boy issues update after seventh surgery
Youngster was hurt at Johnsons of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire on June 18th.
Last updated 11 hours ago
The family of a three-year-old boy who was badly injured in a zoo crocodile enclosure has released more details of the surgery he's had since the incident on June the 18th at Johnson's of Old Hurst in Cambridgeshire.
Writing on a fundraising page - which has so far seen people donate more than £70,000 - a message from his mum says:
"Thank you to everyone who has supported our family.
"Today our son had his seventh surgery. In that surgery the surgeons completed a nerve graft on his left arm. They harvested a nerve from his leg to replace part of the nerve that was missing in his left arm.
"Over time, this nerve will hopefully embed and help our son to regain some function in his left hand. We won’t know whether the nerve graft has been successful until tests can be carried out in a few months time.
"Tomorrow marks 4 weeks of being in the hospital. Shortly after we arrived on the 18th of June, our son underwent a 12 hour surgery where the surgeons performed miraculous things, they were faced with tendon damage, nerve damage, blood vessel damage, broken bones and severe tissue damage in both his arms, neck, head and face. Those were the worst 12 hours of our lives as before that we were signing consent forms involving resuscitation and amputation.
"We were unsure if our son was going to make it and that was the worst feeling in the world. 4 weeks later and the cheeky little boy that we love so much is talking to the nurses, playing using his feet and smiling again. We are amazed at how far he has come.
"We are not at the end of our journey but are hopeful that today’s surgery will be the last for now which means if everything goes well we will be able to go home soon.
"Once home, we face new challenges shaped by his recovery and rehabilitation physically and psychologically. Both of us are taking time off work temporarily to support our son during his rehabilitation. We don’t know what recovery and rehabilitation looks like at this moment in time but we know our son needs us more than ever.
"Thank you again for all your well wishes and support during this difficult time. We are forever grateful that you have all helped us to stay by our son’s side every step of the way."