Miracle boy’s eyes on new set of wheels
Published: June 9, 2005
Anthony Fysh clutches his skateboard with the same determined grip he has on life.
Although he cannot yet walk unaided, the 19-year-old is intent on ditching his wheelchair in favour of his other set of wheels: his new skateboard.
Five months ago Anthony was not expected to live after being buried in 2m of sand on Tasmania’s East Coast.
He spent 10 days in a coma following the January 7 accident and has spent the past five months in the Royal Hobart Hospital learning to walk and talk again.
Yesterday he finally left hospital and returned home.
“I love being at home. I feel like I’m on holidays,” he said grinning.
Anthony can now stand for short periods unaided but still relies on a walking frame or wheelchair for movement.
But the courageous teenager is intent on regaining complete control of his body — and his life.
“I just want to live my life again,” he said from his Bridgewater home.
To help keep focused, Anthony bought himself a new skateboard two months ago during a wheelchair-bound shopping expedition from hospital.
“I am going to get back on my skateboard,” he said. “I miss skating.”
Anthony’s ordeal began after he was digging a hole on the beach at Cosy Corner, near Binnalong Bay, on January 7 when it collapsed. His head, shoulders and chest were buried and he was unable to breathe for 10 minutes — causing brain damage which has mostly affected his speech and mobility.
He will require ongoing speech therapy and physiotherapy as a hospital outpatient.
His father, Kevin Fysh, said yesterday his son’s recovery so far was a miracle.
When Anthony was in a coma his family was warned he may not live or that he may be left brain dead.
“When he was in a coma it was very frightening,” Mr Fysh said.
“But suddenly he woke up and he has been taking a step forward every day since.”
Yesterday Anthony showed how he could stand without holding on to his walking frame.
Although his body shook a little as he stood on his own feet, his mind was firm.
“Don’t hold me up, Dad, I can do it,” he said.
Mr Fysh stood back, proud.
“He is more determined than ever to walk. Miracles do happen,” he said.
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