‘Seán no longer has a feeding tube and is trying to sing’
SEÁN Cox, who was left seriously injured after an attack by Roma fans in Liverpool, no longer has a feeding tube and is trying to sing along to familiar tunes, his wife has said. Martina Cox also thanked everyone for their help and support over the last eight months.
‘As we reach the end of 2018, I would like to extend a huge expression of gratitude to everyone who supported Seán and I, and our children Jack, Shauna and Emma, since Seán’s attack in April of this year,’ she said.
Mr Cox, from Dunboyne in Co. Meath, was attacked by Roma soccer fans before a Champions League semi-final in Liverpool in April. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and had to be placed in a medically induced coma.
He has been recuperating in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, and making progress, according to Mrs Cox.
‘[Seán] no longer has a feeding tube, so is starting to eat and drink again with the help of the wonderful nursing staff,’ she said.
‘Seán has some more words and is trying very hard to sing along to familiar songs; these are encouraging and proud steps for us all.’
She added: ‘Our family used the time with Seán over Christmas to try and relay to him the public goodwill and support there has been for him over the eight months since his attack.
‘We have shown him social media posts, press clippings and videos from fundraising events across Ireland, England and further afield, the GoFundMe page, and the SupportSean.com website, letters and signed jerseys – all in aid of Seán and his recovery.’
Mrs Cox said that the Support Seán campaign has raised €1.1million to date.
She added that what has helped her and the couple’s children through this difficult time is the overwhelming goodwill of Seán’s family, friends, supporters, and the general public.
‘This time last year we were an ordinary family looking forward to another new year and what that would bring,’ she said.
‘Seán and I never dreamt that 12 months on, there would be websites or media interviews or fundraising events, all brought about by what happened after Seán was attacked in Liverpool on April 24.
‘Burden is lightened by love for Seán’
‘While we have a battle ahead again in 2019, our burden is lightened by this love and support for Seán.’
Two weeks ago, Dublin and Meath GAA teams put on a challenge match to raise funds for Seán’s medical bills. Meath came out the winning side, 0-16 to 1-11.
More than 7,000 people attended the match in Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Co. Meath.
In November, it was announced that AS Roma would be donating €150,000 to Seán’s family in order to help with his medical bills and rehabilitation.