COMA DAD’S BABY JOY
Lockyer Valley man finally showing signs of life
AFTER months in a medicallyinduced coma, Lockyer Valley father Kenneth Allan has begun regaining consciousness.
The news has been met with joy by his young family, who has been at his side desperately waiting for signs of life after an incident that almost killed him on Anzac Day.
“I’m happy that he’s making good progress but it’s still uncertain how he will be and how long it will take,” his partner Laura Smoothy told The Chronicle.
“I just want him home.” He is now able to kiss his newborn son Hudson after being hospitalised just two weeks after his birth.
KENNETH Allan was left fighting for his life with two broken legs, a broken arm, serious head injuries and fractures to his ribs and face after being struck by a car outside his Lockyer Valley home in April.
He was placed in a coma at the Princess Alexandra Hospital just two weeks after the birth of his son Hudson.
However, his family are now hopeful of light at the end of the tunnel after Mr Allan started the long process of coming out of his coma in the last week.
“He will give kisses and open his eyes but he doesn’t seem to focus properly yet,” his partner Laura Smoothy said.
“He has started rehab already even though he’s isn’t awake properly.”
Doctors in Brisbane have been able to remove his breathing tube as of last week, and Mr Allan is now able to breathe and swallow properly on his own.
He is not out of the woods just yet, with his family wary that a long road of recovery and a lot of uncertainty awaits them.
Ms Smoothy said despite the progress, it could take weeks before they knew the extent of the damage when her partner fully wakes up.
“They still don’t know how he will be when he wakes properly and what the brain injury has affected,” she said.
“He doesn’t move a lot yet, only his right leg at this stage but they aren’t sure if that is a reflex.”
Ms Smoothy has had to front a significant financial burden since her partner was placed in a coma.
It’s a burden that has been given significant relief by generous members of the community in the three months since the family’s ordeal began.
The Lockyer Valley has rallied around the young couple in the wake of their rough patch, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over $3000 at the time of print.
Another fundraiser is planned on August 5 by the Darling Downs Harley Davidson and V-Twin riders group who are hosting a poker run at the Fiveways Hotel.
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HE WILL GIVE KISSES AND OPEN HIS EYES BUT HE DOESN’T SEEM TO FOCUS PROPERLY YET.
KENNETH ALLAN’S PARTNER LAURA SMOOTHY