A promising footy star seriously injured in a horror crash has defied the odds and is a step closer to returning home after doctors initially feared he would never leave intensive care.
Darcy Metcalf, 17, was being driven to have a photo taken with his junior AFL team when the Audi A3 hatchback he was in crashed into a tree in the northern Perth suburb of Greenwood last July.
The Northern Knight Cats junior was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with multiple broken bones and catastrophic brain injuries.
a GoFundMe page Launched last week by family friend Chailee Richards, it detailed the bleak prognosis Darcy’s parents were initially given by doctors.
Darcy Metcalf has defied the odds with his recovery from a devastating crash in Perth
“Initially, medical specialists told his family to prepare for the fact that Darcy might not leave the intensive care unit,” the page said.
‘They were told it was unlikely he would ever be well enough to be in a hospital ward, let alone come home.’
Nearly a year after the crash, Darcy is now undergoing intensive rehabilitation at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
‘His recovery is slow but progressing. “He has reached the point where he desperately wants to be home with his family, and his medical team is working to discharge him within the next eight weeks,” the page said.
Darcy suffered broken bones and catastrophic brain injuries in the single-vehicle car crash (pictured) in Perth’s north
Darcy, who has been unable to speak since the accident, has already spent several days at home, including an overnight stay.
For the short term, the family has set up a hospital bed in the living room with a curtain for privacy.
However, they plan to convert the garage into a self-contained living space for Darcy with a bathroom, small kitchenette and sleeping quarters for caregivers.
A fitted mobility scooter carrying rack is also required to give Darcy the freedom to attend therapy sessions and outings.
“I am privileged to have the opportunity to be the voice for Darcy and his family, who have endured unimaginable grief since the accident,” Ms. Richards wrote on the page.
“They need our help to bring him home.”
“Darcy’s home is not designed for the 24-hour care he needs.
“He cannot safely get through the narrow hallway to his bedroom, and the bathroom and toilet are too small to close the door and give him the privacy and dignity he deserves.”
Following his stunning progress, there are hopes that Darcy (pictured in intensive care) can return home in the coming months
The fundraising goal of $75,000 has already been surpassed within a week, with $82,603 pledged Tuesday evening.
“I’m trying to keep up with the thank you messages – we’ve had 700 individual donations so far,” Ms Richards told Seven News.
Although there is no guarantee that Darcy will walk again, his family has not given up hope.
Darcy now uses an iPad to communicate and follow all his favorite sports.
“The saddest part of Darcy’s story is that his accident happened just as his family was beginning to see Darcy blossom and come into his own, with belief in himself and big dreams for his future,” Ms. Richards wrote.