In a split second in February last year, 17-year-old Daniel’s life was forever changed.
Crossing the road on his motorbike, he was hit by a truck. The accident left Daniel with traumatic brain injuries, collapsed lungs, severe bone breakages and organ damage throughout his entire body.
Daniel’s mum Tanya describes the extent of his injuries saying, “He broke nearly everything inside and out.
Sadly, on top of his injuries, Daniel then suffered two strokes - one after cranioplasty surgery last year. As a result, he developed Aphasia, a speech and language disorder.
Since the accident, Daniel has had to relearn how to walk and communicate, not once, but twice after each stroke. He spent over six months in hospital on the slow, painful path of recovery.
“During those months in hospital I was essentially Daniel’s voice,” Tanya said. “He had to learn how to say every sound again and the meaning of words.”
Tanya’s work had to be put on the backburner to focus on Daniel while dad Luc was there for their other children.
“Spending so much time at the hospital, the rest of the family had to operate without mum being at home,” Tanya said
Despite every challenge he faces, Tanya says Daniel has stayed so positive.
“Daniel is a typical, happy teenager who loves a laugh. He likes to be outdoors, but he’s learnt to adapt to indoor activities and knows he needs to be patient with himself.”
Throughout his journey, Daniel’s had the support of his nine siblings and his close-knit community.
Not being able to return to school and missing socialising with his friends has been incredibly difficult for Daniel.
During those long, tough months in hospital, Starlight helped Daniel connect with others and discover activities and interests to bring him much-needed fun and distraction.
Daniel loves chess and enjoyed challenging the Captain Starlights with regular matches.
“Since the accident Daniel has become very good at chess,” Tanya said. “The Captains were great at engaging a teenage boy with activities and didn’t treat him like a little kid. We’re very grateful for their happy faces.”
Daniel and his family also loved spending time together in the Starlight Express Room.
“Without Starlight, hospital would have been harder especially when Daniel had visitors. Daniel was able to take his younger siblings to play games and enjoy their time together.”
Now back home with his family, Daniel continues to work hard on his recovery. He’s learning to communicate through photographs and building his reading skills.
“Daniel makes improvements every day and is communicating better all the time. He can walk and has even started to very carefully run again. It’s heartening to see him becoming more independent day by day,” his mum said.
When he’s not having his twice daily physical therapy sessions, Daniel enjoys painting Warhammer figurines with his mates, and taking care of the chickens and the family bulldog Bonnie.
After such a challenging time, Daniel had the exciting news that he’d been granted a Starlight Wish.
His wish is to have a family holiday together to reconnect and have fun.
In September Daniel, his mum and dad and six of his siblings will head off on an unforgettable family holiday to Surfers Paradise as part of Virgin Australia's Gold Coast Wish Week Experience.
“Daniel’s wish will give us some happy times together and provide wonderful memories, especially after the challenging times we’ve endured lately. A holiday like this would have been out of the family budget, so we’re all so excited by this wonderful opportunity.”
The family can’t wait to explore Surfer’s Paradise, visit Sea World and mark a new chapter in their lives as they create lasting memories together.
Describing Starlight’s impact, Tanya said, “Starlight’s positive approach helps kids see a light at the end of their tunnel. To be able to have fun and play with other kids helps children regain hope, improves their motivation for therapy and is a great road to recovery.”