Having almost died in a cycling crash when hit by a car in France, Mike Curran is recovering well and is even being allowed home for Christmas.
An Irishman who almost died, and was left in a coma, after a cycling crash in France is on the mend and will be home for Christmas.
Mike Curran was nearing the end of an around the world trip with his partner Sara O’Shea when he was hit by a motorist in a car in France.
The collision occurred at the end of September and he was in an induced coma for weeks after the crash, which happened between Rime and Paris.
He has since been transferred to the UK for rehabilitation, which costs €12,500 per week.
A sum of €129,000 has been raised online to date. And Curran, an accountant from Waterville in Co Kerry, is making progress.
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He will remain at Wellington Hospital in St John's Wood, north London, for a further period of several months.
While still very ill and facing a long rehabilitation, he is being allowed to come home to Ireland for Christmas for a short period.
His friend, Kieran Clifford, has organised the fundraising campaign on GoFundMe for his rehab. And he has also updated donors and the media on Curran’s condition.
Now, after a nervous few months for Curran and his loved ones, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“While the rehab is expensive, €12,500 per week, the care and treatment Mike is getting is exceptional,” said Clifford.
“He has up to 30 hours per week of therapy, working with an interdisciplinary team of physios, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, a neurologist, ophthalmologist and neuro-psychologist.
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“The combination of these therapies provide Mike with the best opportunity to fully return to his old self, to regain his independence and to move forward with his life.
“Fatigue, physical and mental, is a huge side effect of the traumatic brain injury. The therapies are very intense so Mike needs a lot of rest.
“He must use the evenings and weekends and any time away from the therapies to rest and refuel.
“His brain needs to be treated extremely gently and he must switch off as much as possible in order to give it the time it needs to recover from the trauma.
“Even just chatting or watching tele can be a strain, contributing to fatigue and exhaustion.
“Everyone is so looking forward to him being allowed home for Christmas. It really is a wonderful gift for his family and friends.
“They all have been through so much. It will be such a fabulous Christmas as it could have been so different if Mike hadn’t survived and we are mindful of that all the time.”
Clifford added the medical staff have told Mike Curran he could return “to his old self” in time.
Curran's partner, Sara O’Shea from Keel, Co Kerry, was injured in the same crash, though her injuries were less serious.
They had planned to complete their cycling trip across France before going to England and back to Ireland.
The couple gave up their jobs in Ireland and set off in August, 2016, to travel. They journeyed up through Africa, from Cape Town in South Africa to Cairo in Egypt.
They then travelled towards India, Nepal, Central Asia and the Middle East. The initial plan was to be away from home for a year.
However, as they were enjoying their adventure so much they decided to prolong it. They did so by deciding they would take to their bikes and cycle home from China.
Mike Curran is well known in his native Kerry having played football for the county in 2002 and 2003.
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