Mother meets daughter for first time after 7-year coma
A WOMAN has astounded doctors by awaking from a coma to meet her sevenyear-old daughter for the first time.
Danijela Kovacevic fell into a vegetative state after developing sepsis during childbirth in 2009.
The Serbian woman contracted an infection while pregnant, which worsened during the birth and triggered a violent immune response.
Baby Marija was born healthy, but Miss Kovacevic, then 25, became unconscious as her immune system attacked her organs. She fell into a coma, in which she remained for seven years.
It is rare for patients to wake after such a long period, but Miss Kovacevic is said to be making good progress, thanks to physical and speech therapy that stimulates brain cell function.
She was moved to a German rehabilitation clinic and can now hold items in her hand, sit up and follow conversations. Her father Djordje Kovacevic said: ‘She is more aware and more alive. She reacts, smiles and gets angry.’
A family friend added: ‘Marija is close to her mama every day. She comforts her, makes her laugh and does not give up the hope that she will touch her and embrace her.’
Serbia’s health insurance fund approved a three-month stay in the facility, due to end soon, but rejected further requests. Mr Kovacevic said: ‘A man who breaks an arm needs more than three months of recovery. Imagine how much time my daughter needs.’