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BERKELEY VICTIM CLODAGH Cogley is back in Dublin, settling into the next phase of her rehabilitation, and her family has today thanked everyone who has offered support to them and to the young woman since the balcony collapse in June.
In a post on a fundraising page for Cogley, they thanked those who have contributed in recent weeks.
“We are truly very humbled by your kindness.”
The 21 year old suffered a broken shoulder, two collapsed lungs, a broken knee, five broken ribs and a broken spinal cord. She has said the chances of her using her legs again are “bleak”.
Despite her injuries she has maintained an incredibly positive attitude, telling supporters that “life is short and I intend to honour those who died by living the happiest and most fulfilling life possible”.
Plans are now underway to adapt the family house so the student can be taken home. In the Facebook post today, her family said:
Clodagh made good progress in San Jose thanks to the kindness and expertise of all the staff there. We were even able to travel to the Golden Gate Bridge before we left so Clodagh could fulfil one of her objectives before leaving California (see pic with Dad).
So many people have offered us support and encouragement in so many ways that we will never be able to thank everyone individually but in the last two months we have certainly seen the very best of the human spirit on both sides of the ocean. Our friends and family are continuing to show great patience and restraint as we establish our new pattern of care and activity. We are indeed blessed to have such a wonderful community of friends, neighbours, colleagues, classmates and public and private representatives, who have all come forward to offer support and guidance, alongside so many other individuals and groups that we have never even met.
Hannah Waters, Niall Murray and Aoife Beary who also sustained serious injuries in the balcony collapse remain in California.
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We really are a great nation when it comes to stuff like this, our nation and our fellow countrymen and women abroad band together to look after our own. Hope she makes a full recovery and can get on with her life and try as best she can to put that horrible night behind her. Welcome home and best of luck in your rehab and future.
Are we great? How many families are sleeping in hotels and industrial parks tonight?
Lisa, there can always be a negative situation where there is a positive one. But sometimes it’s beneficial to take a moment to focus on a positive situation when there’s one there. A young girl has been reunited with her family after months apart from them,a situation which could easily have been different. I think it’s good to celebrate what deserves celebrating!!
Could there be a way to help all these families who have to adapt their houses, by builders or tradesmen to do a free labour type thing similar to the big build on TV to help with the costs, preferably without a camera crew though. I would certainly offer my skills to a project like that. As could so many friends of mine in many different trades that I have spoken to. I’d have no clue where to start something like this though.
Start by contacting the families, I’m sure the Department of foreign affairs would help you out by being the buffer between you and the families.
Sacha Why would someone click RED on this. I would like to know why goes on the minds of some people. I would have thought making these teenagers lives that little bit more comfortable would be good. They didn’t ask for this to happen it did & there is no way we can turn back the clock.
Would be up for something like that myself!
Give me a shout if you need any help trying to organise!
Glad to see that most are home. I wish the best for all of them. It’s traumatic for them and their families. Hope they get the ongoing support they will need.
Best wishes to them all. Great attitude in the face of such heartbreak.
Who would red thump the above comments.Shame on you!
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